Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Paris Too Hardcore for the Japanese?
Oui... This news seems almost too hard to believe, but I'm not Japanese nor have I traveled to Paris, so I'll need the help of some Gadling readers on this one. I've noticed several sites reporting news that the romantic French city of Paris leaves many Japanese tourists feeling beat up and have gone as far to say that they need psychological counseling upon their return. Huh? The New York Post states that Japan's Embassy has sent four people back home this year, including two women who thought their hotel room was bugged. That sounds quite over the top if you ask me. Reuters reports that the Japanese flock to Paris with high expectations of this dream world, a dream city and later find that the French character is extremely opposite of their own. In Japanese shops customer is king and in the French shops they barely pay you a glance. All of these mixed city feelings are classified as Paris Syndrome. The source of these reports comes from the French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.So tell me is there anyone out there aside from the Japanese who have had Paris Syndrome or any Japanese out there that can provide their two cents?
via WorldHum
Filed under: Arts and Culture, Stories, Europe, France
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 13)
Eden-Avalon Oct 29th 2006 2:13PM
Being half French and half Japanese i'm kind of borderline; however I spent much more time in Japan then I did in France and I can sincerely say that I have been a victim of the Paris syndrome. Then again...i'd prefer shopping in Paris to shopping here in Los Angeles any day.
Jazzy Oct 29th 2006 2:24PM
I only want to state that as an American I am doing whatever I can to avoid any of my money being spent on anything French, I have never been to France but I was always told they were cold to Americans, obviously they are just COLD. I am a German born American and I am also not happy with Germany's response to the world terrorism problems so I have actually put off a trip to Europe because of this. Thank you
Elizabeth Oct 29th 2006 2:29PM
Funny thing about Paris - they treat everyone equally with indifference. But I love shopping there, just hand them your AMEX and you will be astounded at the politeness they can muster up.
Also take a good look at how you (the Japanese) treat the people in PARIS - Wow just like you treat us in the USA very rudly I might add.Just shop in SOHO or UPTOWN - NYC to experience this treatment from the Japanese tourists.- you are pushy, nasty, and don't respect us either. I really would refer to this as the JAPANESE SYNDROME.
Sorta like the old UGLY American issue was a while back. Try being nice for a change - see what happens.
Pierre U Koksuquer Oct 29th 2006 2:29PM
Sacre bleu !
Dare Pugh Oct 29th 2006 2:31PM
I just returned from Paris. I will NEVER go back. They are rude as hell and totally ignore you whenever possible. The nicest sales clerks we encountered were from a different country. Screw the French!
SnapHappy Oct 29th 2006 2:33PM
Went to France three times in the past year, did a LOT of shopping, and I honestly didn't notice any difference in the hospitality between French store clerks/salespersons and Americans. Some were extremely helpful, others kept doing what they were doing when I walked in.
Kate904 Oct 29th 2006 2:33PM
It's been several years since I've been in Paris, but when I was there I found the people and shopping quite wonderful! It's been my opinion that you get what you give. I tried to speak French to the shop keepers and waiter, and they treated me with respect for doing so. Believe me, I'm far from fluent and I know my accent isn't good, either. I love the food, and enjoyed the people. Now, on the other hand, my father, who kept a flat in London for years, and traveled to France numerous times, says the opposite.
He maintains that the French are extremely arrogant and dislike Americans intensely.
Bryan Oct 29th 2006 2:36PM
Punks! American, French, Japanese, human race...it doesn't matter. You are all just punks.
j. kruzansky Oct 29th 2006 2:39PM
Paris is a wonderful beautiful City. I agree that the experience of everything in Paris would be different than in Japan - but why would anyone travel if every country was the same? Until I got off the train and saw Venice, everywhere in Europe was too much like different neighborhoods in NYC and I was very disappointed. It appears that the Japanese are very polite and thoughtful and the French are very self-centered - EXCEPT when you need help of any kind - then the French are very kind also. People are people, no matter where you go and simple judgments like the above are shallow.
Jazzy Oct 29th 2006 2:41PM
Bryan, well stated, hope your parents aren't paying for your education.
Katie Oct 29th 2006 2:42PM
I have never been to paris, I'm american, but I can't seem to understand having a mental breakdown just from people not being overly nice...
Jimmy Oct 29th 2006 2:44PM
Paris is a wonderful city. I am an American who lived in Europe for many years. However, I think that third worlders have invaded France making the city unsafe for white people (from any country). I think this is more alarming than some rudeness. Of course, I suppose Americans are accustomed to third world jungles for our major American cities.
But in the rest of Europe, cities like Dusseldorf, Cologne, Zurich, and Madrid are not infested with third worlders. Imagine, a large city that is safe!
joni Oct 29th 2006 2:45PM
I spent a few weeks in Paris two years ago and had a delightful time. I had all kinds of responses from clerks, waiters, etc. Just as I've had all kinds of responses in America. I agree with Kate 94 - you pretty much get what you give. I speak no French, but can say "Merci" and smile and find that gets me quite far. As far as the rude ones, I do just what I do in the U.S - I move on.
Rhonda Oct 29th 2006 2:44PM
Just returned from 2 weeks in Italy. Travelled all over and I suggest going there. With the exception of one hotel clerk, Italians were warm, friendly and helpful above and beyond. We loved everything. We are going to Paris next year. I was there 30 years ago. We'll see, but I think experiences abroad are often about how willing the traveller is to assimilate and try new and different cultural things.
Pete B Oct 29th 2006 2:45PM
I first visited Paris (from Ohio) in the 1960's, and had the same reaction. "Why didn't they love me? I'm an American?" Since then I've come to understand that the Parisian attitude is "you don't bother me, I won't bother you." You can lie down in the street, and they'll step over you, because as long as you aren't really bothering them, they won't bother you. Understanding this, I've come to love visiting Paris. In this respect, it is a lot like Manhattan on a weekday. Japan is also a very nice place to visit, but you shouldn't expect it to be like New York, or Paris.
Jazzy Oct 29th 2006 3:01PM
Jimmy, I think you are off subject, I do not think your "third worlder theory" holds up since these are the shopkeepers and hoteliers that are being discussed. By the way, where does your KKK unit meet.
Alicia Williams Oct 29th 2006 2:48PM
I am half French, and though I speak the language (badly, I admit)I have found mixed reactions in Paris. Generally, if you TRY to speak their language and can't get your message across, if they speak English they will gladly do so, just for the sale. However, I must agree with a previous post, at the moment I wouldn't go to France and try to aviod buying anything French simply because they not only have not supported us, but have also been downright hostile to Americans.
My family is actually from Brittany (they are a Celtic race and don't doesn't really consider themselves French, nor does France consider them French) and when traveling back and forth to the USA they won't even stay in Paris overnight) and a cousin in France actually sent me the following 'joke,' which translates to something like, "How many Frenchmen does it take to defend Paris? Answer, No one knows, it's never been done!"
Donna Oct 29th 2006 2:57PM
I've traveled to Paris many many times and agree with most all comments here. Paris is what you make it but if you're expecting to find friendly merchants in the city it'll be hard like it is in most big cities. Back when Varnet Sunglassses were so popular in the 80's I got lost trying to find a certain store that sold them. Tho most of the time that I've been there there is that big city indifference this time everyone was very helpful showing me my way. I've also found that it is truly a beautiful experience traveling there seeing all it has to offer if you put politics aside. Today I can't put politics aside and don't want to travel there at present but that is another story.
M Oct 29th 2006 2:53PM
People don't seem to realize that Paris is a city, and not a resort or an amusement park. People go to the city expecting everyone to wait for you, but the people there are just living their lives, and they don't really care about you. Its the same way in New York, Tokyo, or any other big city.
Amanda Oct 29th 2006 2:55PM
I'm an American (also from Ohio, like the other person who has commented) and have lived and worked in Paris for 16 years. I think the problem people have when they visit Paris is that they have a naive expectation of some 'mythical, Hollywood rendering' of Paris (everyone in berets, accordian players, can-can dancers), or they believe that everyone is cute and pleasant like in 'Amelie' or something. The thing is, Paris is a real-life, hard-working, hard-playing capital city, not that much different to London or New York. I have no sympathy with people who approach Paris with the expectation that it will be like a Disneyland. There are GREAT things here, and the people are generally no ruder than New Yorkers, Londoners, Berliners, etc, etc. Capital cities throughout the world have a reputation for being a little 'curt', and Paris is no different.
So I think that Japanese (or anyone) visiting will have a MUCH better time if they regard Paris as a busy, thriving, capital city, and not as a Gene Kelly-inspired, Hollywood soundstage.