Vacationing In Paris???

[Fletch]

Hey, Y'all,

I'll plan to vacation in Paris this August. And I will be honest with you. I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't concerned with this war, and how I, as an American, will be received in Europe.

Can anyone tell me what's the vibe over there. And be as blunt and honest from your perspective as possible. First time abroad, y'all, so understand the concern.

It is more than likely that I will be going. Shoot, I wanna go!!!!! I will say this. When travelling domestic, every time someone has said something negative about the places I have travelled to (comments such as "They don't like New Yorkers", etc), I've have found out the opposite when getting there.

But with this war, and the the protests abroad surrounding the war, things may be a little different. Would love to get some opinons and input. This may be the most personal I've ever gotten on this board. Sorry about that, but I gotta know whassup.

PS--These boycotts (both sides) are just plain stupid. graemlins/jpshakehead.gif Peace.

[ March 26, 2003, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: einnod23 ]

[liL Ray]

I would love to hear what others have to say also, because I was thinking about Europe for this June/July.

[lyot]

show your DHP member card and you'll be hosted like a king! .. ;)

no, seriously, there's no need to be worried whatsoever..Probably, no one will be even thinking about that Iraq War by august..But even if that would still be a problem, you need to know one thing : people in Europe do know how to make a difference between a governement policy and an ordinary American citizen..I don't know anyone who would have problems with meeting an American citizen, or would be rude to Americans, just because that's where they come from.

[martin]

I don't think you should have any problems. Although I'm from London not Paris, you'll find Europeans on the whole ok. Like anywhere else there are good people and bad people. I don't think you will encounter any serious problems simply because you're American - you will probably find that you are actually made very welcome due to the decline in numbers of tourists coming from the States.

[martin]

Or come to the UK. You'll be treated like an ally smile.gif

[mhd]

just go, you guys live in nyc, you can handle it, just be open and be careful

[O'love]

no worries.....as lyot already mentioned most europeans make a big difference between the US gouvernment and the US people..... although you can probably expect some nice discussions with european people if you like that, but that will always be while enjoying a good glass of wine in a bar ;)

Olaf

[ngeso]

come over. people are not going to f**k with you. on the contrary, they are going to view you as being progressive. most "old" Europeans regard extensive travel experience and language skills as vital cultural techniques and assume that people, that have never left the confines of Jerkwater County, deprive themselves.

peace. ngeso.

[FD]

no, seriously, there's no need to be worried whatsoever..Probably, no one will be even thinking about that Iraq War by august..But even if that would still be a problem, you need to know one thing : people in Europe do know how to make a difference between a governement policy and an ordinary American citizen..I don't know anyone who would have problems with meeting an American citizen, or would be rude to Americans, just because that's where they come from don't worry, they are cool in Paris... they will not treat you bad... smile.gif

[MarkK]

You will be fine. My in-laws (to be) are French and there is nothing but love.

The French are able to separate GOVERNMENT from CITIZENS. They do not blame all of us for this shit. However, in the US, we are unable to do the same thing. There is so much HATE right now here for French people. My girl feels it every day, at work, on TV, even on t-shirts.

[Martin Red]

Originally posted by martin s:
Or come to the UK. You'll be treated like an ally smile.gif graemlins/rofl.gif


Land at Birmingham airport with no vinyl bags or boxes, shot dead on the spot.

[mhd]

Originally posted by ngeso:
come over. people are not going to f**k with you. on the contrary, they are going to view you as being progressive. most "old" Europeans regard extensive travel experience and language skills as vital cultural techniques and assume that people, that have never left the confines of Jerkwater County, deprive themselves.

peace. ngeso. exactly, every american should travel abroad, especially now

[Martin Red]

Originally posted by mhd:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by ngeso:
come over. people are not going to f**k with you. on the contrary, they are going to view you as being progressive. most "old" Europeans regard extensive travel experience and language skills as vital cultural techniques and assume that people, that have never left the confines of Jerkwater County, deprive themselves.

peace. ngeso. exactly, every american should travel abroad, especially now </font>[/QUOTE]When I went around Florida Dec. 2001, I was thanked a few times for coming, since 9/11 put a lot of people off travelling to the U.S.

U.S people will be welcomed here and Europe in general I think, I'de bother to return the kindness that's for sure. Oh except that confused steroid chap in Miami who was sitting in my seat talking to my girl when I returned from the toilet, he ain't welcome pumped up fool found himeself on the street, fool! graemlins/rofl.gif

[ March 26, 2003, 11:03 AM: Message edited by: Martin Red ]

[Leslie]

I vacationed in Paris in late July 2002 and had a blast. I stayed with a friend who was living there are the time. I was treated very nicely by EVERYONE I had close contact with (meaning conversation). The city is absolutely beautiful and I cannot wait to go back and visit again. Go and enjoy yourself.

[Fletch]

Thanks, folks for all of the responses and encouragement.

Got one question. Is it true they have champagne caves (or vineyards) in the country? If so, consider myself officially drunk. I hear that French vineyards make Napa and Sonoma Valley look like pig pens (and Napa/Sonoma's the bomb!!!!).

[Keith Blackstone]

You might want to hear Efab's story about her trip to Paris with her fella... a pretty horrible trip... getting spit on/at multiple times... getting called derogitory/racial insults and almost tossed in jail over what should have been a simple problem fix... I won't be in France any time soon...

Not even sure how I feel about going back to Germany to spin again like I'm supposed to...