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#1
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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 |
#2
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Americans in Paris
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 |
#3
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Americans in Paris
"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 |
#4
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Americans in Paris
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 |
#5
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Americans in Paris
"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 |
#6
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Americans in Paris
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. |
#7
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Americans in Paris
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 |
#8
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Americans in Paris
"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 |
#9
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Americans in Paris
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 |
#10
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Americans in Paris
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 |
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