Americans in Paris

What does it feel like to be in Paris these days? I'd be interested in
hearing about your recent experiences as an American visitor. I love the
city and I'll likely be there soon. But I've no desire to go if there's a
sense of constant caution and hidden hostility. There are endless places
to go otherwise.

m

Minou wrote:

What does it feel like to be in Paris these days? I'd be interested in
hearing about your recent experiences as an American visitor. I love the
city and I'll likely be there soon. But I've no desire to go if there's a
sense of constant caution and hidden hostility. There are endless
places to go otherwise.

Troll?

Alleged hostility to Americans (other than GWB) is a fabrication.

Bernard Higonnet

"Minou" wrote in message
...
What does it feel like to be in Paris these days? I'd be interested in
hearing about your recent experiences as an American visitor. I love the
city and I'll likely be there soon. But I've no desire to go if there's a
sense of constant caution and hidden hostility. There are endless
places
to go otherwise.

Then I would suggest that you go to these other places. Any sense of
constant caution and hidden hostility is usually brought on by the person
feeling this way. So no matter how others feel, you'd probably feel
threatened.


m

On 11/26/03 7:20 PM, in article
, "Bernard T. Higonnet"
wrote:


Troll?

No. Really.

Alleged hostility to Americans (other than GWB) is a fabrication.

Was asking about the *feeling* in general. It's also not popular to be
Jewish. I do sense this in Paris and elsewhere. Its not a fabrication.

m

"Peter L" wrote:

Then I would suggest that you go to these other places. Any sense of
constant caution and hidden hostility is usually brought on by the person
feeling this way.

Yes. Thanks.
You've been to Paris recently? Whereabouts did you stay? Any good
neighborhood restaurants you can recommend - that would be great.

I was just asking about visitors' experiences rather than a psychoanalytic
analysis of my shortcomings. I thought it was a 50/50 welcome from the
people I met. Really depended on the age group.

m

Minou wrote:

On 11/26/03 7:20 PM, in article
, "Bernard T. Higonnet"
wrote:

Alleged hostility to Americans (other than GWB) is a fabrication.

Was asking about the *feeling* in general. It's also not popular to be
Jewish. I do sense this in Paris and elsewhere. Its not a fabrication.

I don't see the connection between asserted unpopularity of Jews and
Americans. It's usually a bit difficult to indentify Amricans with
certainty in the street, and presumably only possible with Jews if they are
wearing a yarmulke or are otherwise Orthodox or Hassidim. Such observant
Jews feel they must wear clothes or have a hair style that identify them as
such (just as some Moslem women feel they must wear a veil in France) but I
am not aware that anything about being American necessarily leads to their
identification which would consequently subject them to unwelcome
treatment.

Had the question been popularity of Jews in Paris, my answer would be there
certainly is a problem with an identifiable Jew in heavily Moslem areas,
and a negligible problem in areas normally frequented by tourists. I
certainly would not be surprised if in non-Moslem areas a Hassidic Jew
dressed in black with a beard and locks would attract (unwelcome) attention
such as staring or turning around to get another look, just as would a
fully veiled Moslem woman. There are places in the US (presumed home of
poster) where it might be uncomfortable for people dressed in a Palestinian
get-up to go, but I doubt much would happen to them in Manhattan.

As for the feeling (or *feeling*) the answer is the same as before. There is
no perceptible anti-American feeling for an American in Paris being a
normal person minding his/her own business. There are insignificant amounts
of anti-US-Iraq policy graffiti (in fact I can't remember seeing any, but
let's allow for some), but much less than "Americans go home" in the 50's,
a time when everybody thought we were such great friends. There is almost
universal opposition to US foreign policy, which people will be happy to
express if politics are brought up, but that is a quite different issue.
But these same French people are still interested in travelling to the US,
studying in the US, living and working in the US for some, listening to
American music, watching American movies, etc. etc.

Bernard Higonnet


By way of curiosity, the last time I arrived at CDG I was struck by the
presence of large numbers of evident Jews and Arabs at the same luggage
carousel waiting for luggage from, need I say, two different flights.

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 18:29:15 -0500, Minou
wrote:

What does it feel like to be in Paris these days? I'd be interested in
hearing about your recent experiences as an American visitor. I love the
city and I'll likely be there soon. But I've no desire to go if there's a
sense of constant caution and hidden hostility. There are endless places
to go otherwise.

You are really pathetic.

*plonk*
---
DFM

"Bernard T. Higonnet" wrote:

It's usually a bit difficult to indentify Amricans with
certainty in the street, and presumably only possible with Jews if they are
wearing a yarmulke or are otherwise Orthodox or Hassidim.

You're right. I was asking about the subtleties of it all. In good
conversation, it is quite natural to talk about art, culture, language,
taste in foods, etcetera.

I was put in my place by DFM already. Sorry for bringing up the topic.

Thanks Mr. Higonnet. I'd be interested in recommendations for small luxury
hotels in Saint Germain district. That would be great.

m

You won't have any problems as an American in Paris. I've been there
3 times so far this year and am heading back in a week once again on
business. I've never even encountered so much as a sneer or a snide
remark. About the only evidence you find of possible American
hostility is crude sayings written on the KFC and McDonalds
advertisements in the metro tunnels. Of course, it could just as
easily be the high-fat, high carb, high calorie foods that were the
subject of assault.

I did find it interesting the state of heightened security around the
American embassy, but it's always been very secure.

Enjoy your visit.

Dave


Minou wrote:

What does it feel like to be in Paris these days? I'd be interested in
hearing about your recent experiences as an American visitor. I love the
city and I'll likely be there soon. But I've no desire to go if there's a
sense of constant caution and hidden hostility. There are endless places
to go otherwise.

m

Minou wrote:

I was put in my place by DFM already. Sorry for bringing up the topic.

That was more about DFM than it was about you, so don't worry about it. Folks
answered your questions, and that's what matters.

Have a good trip! Nex