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 13 of 13)
Barb Stemmler Oct 29th 2006 8:27PM
How interesting that the Japanese experience "Paris Syndrome". When I spent my honeymoon there years ago, I was dismayed at the Japanese tourists I encountered. My husband and I are Americans, and the French treated us like precious young lovers - they adored how in love we seemed. One florist even gave us a free bouquet of beautiful flowers when we stopped to sniff them on his sidewalk! When we were looking at the map to find our way, French people would ask if they could help us. We did speak French whenever we could, and we think they really appreciated the effort, even though we had to usually end up speaking some English to get the complete message across. The Japanese, however, really bothered me. At breakfast in the hotel (the Nikko, a Japanese hotel, I think), an elderly Japanese woman physically PUSHED me away from the buffet when I was about to place canteloupe and a croissant on my plate - she actually walked up and pushed me over to one side so SHE could reach the food! At the top of the Eiffel Tower, I was looking through one of the coin-operated binocular/telescope thingys (sorry, I don't know the official word for them), and a young Japanese woman pushed me away and started looking through it! These were two totally unrelated incidents, and ever since then I find I have a prejudice toward the Japanese, even though I always admired them prior to that trip to Paris! By the way, in the hotel, lots of the Japanese hung their laundry to dry up in the windows of the hotel - so tacky! I have to admit I will not be sorry if the Japanese choose not to visit France - more pleasure for the rest of us!
Wayne-Daniel Berard Oct 29th 2006 9:03PM
I don't know what everyone is talking about! I've been to Paris three times. It's people are as beautiful as its avenues. My wife and I have had no problems with the Parisiennes; on the contrary, they went out of their way to be helpful. I think that if visitors storm up to them expecting them to speak English (or Japanese) or otherwise treat them like the hired help, they may, deervedly, get a different reaction.
Hank Oct 29th 2006 10:53PM
Those of you who had negative experiences in Paris...how were you dressed? America's idea of "casual" can be interrupted as "slovenly" other places. Sneakers, sandles, sweats, old jeans, T-shirts, shorts etc. just don't cut it. Ladies...nice slacks or skirt, blouse, blazer, goodlooking but comfortable shoes, if barelegged, wear hose, hair done, face on, nails done. Gentlemen...slacks or new pressed jeans, sportcoat, pressed shirt, comfortable shoes that could pass for dress but not athletic shoes, shaved, hair combed. You're a presenting yourself to a city famous for centuries as a mecca of style. You're right. Not all Parisians look stylish, but they admire and respect it. You're the foreigner. You're the one doing the presenting. They're just living their daily lives.
Vicki Oct 29th 2006 8:44PM
Over a 20 year period of travel to Paris, I have never experienced the Paris Syndrome. It's one of the greatest cities in the world, and I highly recommend it. The history, culture, food, and shopping are truly spectacular. I'm an American who speaks minimal French, and I have found the French to be very kind and helpful. In fact, when buying a subway ticket I didn't have the correct change, and a French woman behind me just gave me the proper coins! I hate it when I hear Americans talk badly about the French. Historically, they've been a great ally, and the U.S. has benefitted immensely from their help.
Sandy Oct 29th 2006 8:49PM
I've enjoyed traveling in Paris and throughout France and Europe. It's true Parisians are not fond of Americans, but Parisians aren't even fond of French citizens from other cities! Don't take it personally. Remember French history and consider the gene pool. France killed off the upper class members of society and most of the intelligencia. It's a beautiful city, but it's full of Parisians. C'est la vie!
Susan Grier Oct 29th 2006 8:51PM
I think all the above have good points but after living in Germany and visiting many European cities, Paris is one city that I have no desire to return to. For me the rudeness occurred only in restaurants but I think that Paris is just another big city and I found more rudeness in London. For me, Paris' only attribute is the plethora of historical sites. Beyond that,I'd rather return to Rome and almost anywhere in Italy. This country has more history that interests me and I found the people to be generally friendlier, although I ran into a few rude people and they were all in Venice. And, for those who care, 2 full days is more than enough time to experience Venice. Italy just plain ROCKS! To sum it up, people ARE people no matter where you are and if you've ever been in a casino and played at a table with some Japanese that were losing, well, you can see the epitomy of rudeness! Susan
ken Nov 8th 2006 6:01PM
As a former travel business owner I have travelled all over the world for the last 30 years. I find that you get back what you give. People are the same no matter where they are from. I have had the best times and interactions with people from other countries than the US when I didnt have the slightest clue of their language. If you are really sincere you can find a way to get your questions and feelings expressed whether it be by sign language, pantomine or crude use of a phrase book. Some of my most memorable times have been in France in both the cities and the countryside. So if you are travelling and having a problem just take a look in the mirror and you will find the root of the problem. Ma'ybe you just aren't meant to be a traveller. Stay home and aggravate your naeighbors.
TomB Nov 26th 2006 11:55PM
If it weren't for America, they would be speaking German in France.
Marc T Nov 28th 2006 10:28PM
Well, I am a pure hardcore abnoxious Parisian. Born there, raised there. I've been living in the US for the last 10 years though. I've never been to Japan, but I can relate to the cultural gap when it comes to the shoping experience, and actually to the whole thing. In France, and Paris in general there is that "eye contact" that initiates any type of communication. "We" usually do not like to be "aggressed" as soon as we enter a store. Vendors know that. The first three seconds will determine your experience.
For the other comments I've read about the French and Parisians in particular, and the awful experience that some of you have had. Well I am sorry. It happens. And to make it more pleasant here are a couple of "tips": Try to speak French, don't expect every French to speak English and be willing to. Making the effort is already 80% of a good time in France. And to some of you ... and I am not sorry to point it out. You Americans talk and talk and talk so loud we can only hear you! You need to understand you are not alone and no matter how beautiful and grant America is ... we believe France is ten times that.
Oh and for Dick Jazzy, I hope you're happy about where that terrorism thinking has led America to be. And yes, there is a French military contingent in Afghanistan. Just for the record, stupid!
Bob Dec 5th 2006 10:30PM
We went to Paris in 2004 and right before the trip we were having second thoughts. The French are always portrayed as rude, but I have to say that everyone we met was very nice and went out of their way to speak English to us since we do not speak French. We hope to go back someday soon to revisit this beautiful city.
John Dec 7th 2006 3:29PM
Paris is Paris, like any big city in the world. If you think the French don't like Americans, go to Normandy. They haven't forgotten 1944 and what the US and allies did then.