Paris - I won't be going back

[Pollywaffle]

My daughter and I experienced the wedding ring scam in January 2011. We were lucky to escape unscathed, but in our favour, it was mid-Winter and the path along the Seine was deserted. We looked at the ring then gave it back to the young girl when she asked for money. I was trying to be polite but my (adult) daughter was not impressed by the scam.

This is the bit I never understand. Why would you even engage with the person in the first place?

 

[drron]

You think that Barcelona is friendly? I guess after they have picked your pocket on La Rambla and made you look at a dumb half finished church started when Adam was a boy. And the touts and beggars....."

ps Interested what keeps you, presumably a job, in Paris for 2.5 years and area you live. Just idle curiosity.

My goodness.The pickpockets in las Rambla are far from the best.When I go to an area renown for pickpockets I fold up tourist brochures to the size of a wallet and stick it in the back pocket of my trousers.In las ramblas I could have caught the fellows arm in my pocket.The best by far were the ones on the old Bugis street in Singapore in the 70s.Didn't feel a thing.

 

[superpang]

ps Interested what keeps you, presumably a job, in Paris for 2.5 years and area you live. Just idle curiosity.

Its all work I work as a consultant for Rail Europe which is a joint venture between the French and Swiss railways their office is in Paris. I usually work in Australia for about 3 months a year too which is nice.

 

[superpang]

My goodness.The pickpockets in las Rambla are far from the best.When I go to an area renown for pickpockets I fold up tourist brochures to the size of a wallet and stick it in the back pocket of my trousers.In las ramblas I could have caught the fellows arm in my pocket.The best by far were the ones on the old Bugis street in Singapore in the 70s.Didn't feel a thing.

I got pickpocketed once on a suburban bus in Paris and I didn't notice a thing. I think Paris is a lot worse for pickpocketing or just crime in general than Barcelona. I've heard so many horror stories. Someone from my work got kidnapped when someone asked him for directions and was driven around for 2hrs then made to get all his money out and then was dumped on the street, he was French.

I had another french friend who used an atm at a night club and then someone pick pocketed his card and took all his money out.

I had an Australian friend who thought he picked up a girl at a club they started making out on the street when she took his wallet phone and ran off, this is however probably the best way to get pick pocketed.

So many people get their phone stolen....its almost passe when it happens now!!

 

[jetlagger]

I got pickpocketed once on a suburban bus in Paris and I didn't notice a thing. I think Paris is a lot worse for pickpocketing or just crime in general than Barcelona. I've heard so many horror stories. Someone from my work got kidnapped when someone asked him for directions and was driven around for 2hrs then made to get all his money out and then was dumped on the street, he was French.

I had another french friend who used an atm at a night club and then someone pick pocketed his card and took all his money out.

I had an Australian friend who thought he picked up a girl at a club they started making out on the street when she took his wallet phone and ran off, this is however probably the best way to get pick pocketed.

So many people get their phone stolen....its almost passe when it happens now!!

Mmm.. Won't be rushing back there in a hurry then.. Not to mention the challenge of dodging pooch cough on the footpath.
I think Paris lost the wonderful enchantment 100 years ago.
Looks like it needs a good Jiffing in parts..
There are many lovely authentic & hospitable French cities & towns outside Paris with mostly French inhabitants, which can make a desirable difference.

 

[infinity]

Just in Platinum lounge at KUL on way to Paris trying their A388 in F

A few days in Paris then Champagne for 4 days on onto Bordeaux for 6 days.

Overall Paris has been wonderful in the 4-5 time I have visited

Expensive yes!

But Sydney takes the prize for the most expensive city on the planet

Just try taking a cab!!

The dearest taxi's in the world!

 

[casanovawa]

We once ran into quite a rude frenchy coming down from the Eiffel Tower many years ago, but most people i have found there have been ok... Once when i visited the US cemetery near Omaha beach in Normandy i missed the last bus back to Bayeux.. It was going to be in for a long 8 or 15km walk... Off i set but after about 2-3kms i decided to stick the thumb out as i walked... This nice french couple in a little car, pulled over, picked me up and drove me back to Bayeux, it was night by about now and we must have been talking about food, anyway they stopped at their house and the girl ran in, wasn't sure why, anyway we went to a macca's and through the drive through and i ordered and they did, anyway i handed them like a 10 or 20 euro note to pay for everyone's and they said no, they were going to pay and that's why they had stopped at the house to get some money, but i think they came up a bit short so was happy to contribute... They then drove me back to my hotel... That was a bit of a turn up for the books of the arrogant, bad mannered french for me... Can be good, nice people everywhere...

I did almost get pick pocketed in Madrid once from a girl doing a survey, she had the money 3/4 out of my wallet before i noticed it and grabbed her arm and then wrenched her around in the air to stop her trying to give it off to some of her friends who ran over towards us... I arrived in BCN near midnight one time and was walking down Las Ramblas looking for some hostel and was engaged in conversation but some lady, then another one came up and told me she was trying to take my wallet (not sure if she had gotten that close to next to me as i was looking for where i was) then they almost had a fight that this girl had warned me...

Was watching something on Foxtel recently about scamming and they followed these 3-4 gypsies in Spain (think it was in BCN) and they just went from one victim to another to another down in the subways showing how they did it (think they handed the money back, or most of it) as Spain has this law where pick pockets if caught only get 3 days in the lock up and released, so with such lax laws its meant to be like the mecca of Europe for pick pockets and scammers...

 

[Pollywaffle]

I really enjoy my trips to Paris and I always try to fit in a few days there irrespective of wherever else I am travelling in Europe.

My "worst" experience in Paris? Being yelled at by an Australian bloke at the top of the Arc de Triomphe. I got in his way while he was videoing something. Talk about a drama queen. Him - not me.

 

[lovestotravel]

If you were not happy with the hotel/price/room size, it's quite simple.

You clearly didn't research it correctly and only have yourself to blame

As for prices, Australia is the same or worse

 

[samiam]

I proposed to Mrs Jukebox, in the gardens across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower, 17 years ago.

(Moments after she said "Yes", a rather elderly Parisian woman strode past us, stopped no more than 10ft away, hitched her skirt up to her waist, dropped her bloomers, and commenced an almighty pee...)

What a shame said elderly woman didn't whip out a wedding ring on cue

 

[sinophile888]

This is the bit I never understand. Why would you even engage with the person in the first place?

I hadn't been to Europe for 30 years. We had just spent a month in Italy and then on a Med. cruise to Greece, Egypt etc. with no real issues. The scammer was a young girl and I try to be polite to everyone I meet. I remember now that I said that I would find a gendarme to sort out the lost ring and that was when she backed off. The area was quite deserted and very open. And I hadn't heard of the scam. Most of my travelling is in in China.

 

[k_sheep]

Loved most of Italy ...except for Florence. Sorry, I just don't get it. Yes, the sunset from the hillside overlooking is lovely, but what else? No, I don't get Florence. The no.1 most disappointing place I've been to.

Glad it's not just me!

Mind you I did my big Europe jaunt back in the days of 1AUD = 0.5USD / 0.5EUR / 0.33GBP so affording anything, anywhere, was a problem.

 

[JohnK]

I went to Paris in 1994 as part of a Kontiki tour of Western Europe.

To be honest I do not have the desire to go back. Not that I do not like the place but there is nothing there for me.

Perhaps a transit in Paris someday to see what I am missing out on.

The wedding ring scam is fun to watch. We had a bet, on a walk from the Eiffel Tower to The Louvre how many times we would see it. I suggested 7 and was out by just 1. The petition thing we only saw happening at Eiffel. As soon as they asked if we spoke English I answered in (the only phrase I know) in Chinese. Given I'm tall blonde and blue eyes they took a few steps back. Gotcha! 

I have never heard of the wedding ring scam and do not understand it.

I also do not understand the survey scam? It is obviously not the same as the one in Thailand where they ask you a lot of questions and really just want your hotel room number where you will end up finding an invitation to a party of BBQ where they try to make you part with all your money on buying time share.

 

[blackcat20]

Part of the reason you travel is to experience different things.

It is the french way to not engage with strangers.

In Australia, if you are standing in say a queue you ight chat to the stranger next you. The French don't.

It is not right or wrong, but different.

The first time I travelled to the US, out motto was 'its not wrong, just different', and it's so true!

First trip to Paris in a few months, I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Pollywaffle]

I went to Paris in 1994 as part of a Kontiki tour of Western Europe.

To be honest I do not have the desire to go back. Not that I do not like the place but there is nothing there for me.

Perhaps a transit in Paris someday to see what I am missing out on.


I have never heard of the wedding ring scam and do not understand it.

I also do not understand the survey scam? It is obviously not the same as the one in Thailand where they ask you a lot of questions and really just want your hotel room number where you will end up finding an invitation to a party of BBQ where they try to make you part with all your money on buying time share.

Ring scam: someone "finds" a gold ring and approaches you to say you lost your ring. As a reward for "finding" the ring for you, they want you to give them money. Frankly, if people weren't greedy there would be no scam.

Survey scam: Sign a petition for some obscure cause. You are then pressed to give a donation &/or someone tries to pick your pocket as there is usually a group of people trying to surround you.

In both cases if you ignore them and just walk on, no one will bother you. It's when people engage with them that issues may arise.

 

[casanovawa]

Paris can be a nice city to see some pretty sights and especially if you like photography and a day trip to Versailles etc... Went there in 2004 and then in 2010... Probably will go back again some day... You can actually stop and look at another Arc de Triomf in Barcelona (not sure about getting the croissants), but its no where near as good as the Paris one...

Not a big arty farty fan either but Florence was not bad, didn't bother going into the Uffizi Gallery, but nice view back over the river, the Duomo was interesting, some nice statues in that central square, did a few tours of the city to hear some of its history... Had to go and see the statue of David whilst there and take a photo of it even though your not suppose to... Bigger than i expected, where the Mona Lisa was smaller...

Yeah the survey scam i just walked into some big garden in Madrid and some girl walked over asking me to sign a petition which looked like something to give better access to the disabled to the park... I ended up giving her 1 euro when she then asked for a donation, then she asked for some ID to record some details and while i had my wallet out and had my drivers licence resting on it, it was only when she was taking a lot of time to look for what was pretty obvious information on my licence that i then glimpsed her hand inching notes out of my wallet behind my licence... I think she did get the money out but that was when i grabbed her arm as i had gone through a lot to get those 300 or so euros that morning...

After that my wallet stayed deep in my pockets the rest of the trip and screw anyone who was asking for help or some charity...

 

[Skyring]

Are there places that yo may have added to your no longer going to visit list?

San Bruno, for sure. Meh.

 

[Skyring]

Ring scam: someone "finds" a gold ring and approaches you to say you lost your ring. As a reward for "finding" the ring for you, they want you to give them money. Frankly, if people weren't greedy there would be no scam.

Survey scam: Sign a petition for some obscure cause. You are then pressed to give a donation &/or someone tries to pick your pocket as there is usually a group of people trying to surround you.

In both cases if you ignore them and just walk on, no one will bother you. It's when people engage with them that issues may arise.

Paris for the gold ring. I was intrigued the first time, but when she asked me for "un petit, m'sieur, fromage pour les enfants" that I twigged. After that I just laughed when I saw it again.

The survey. Barcelona, except that we had a good tour guide who warned us - loudly! - of the "schoolgirls" who were attempting to complete their excursion questionnaire with the aid of helpful tourists.

 

[Skyring]

With the language the French are not good with English. They simply aren't confident with the language and why would they be they are also pretty lazy too. With that said almost everyone can speak English, If they reply with "A little" its means they are perfect, but its the classic rule if you speak in English to them they will speak back to you French. If you speak to them in horrible horrible French they will speak back to you in English.

I would start off in French, for politeness. After a sentence or two, they would generally protest, "Please m'sieur! Do not speak French!"

Blond genug.

I love Paris. Been there three times and each time this old romantic falls deeper in love.

Hotel Hospitel for my preferred accommodation. Tiny rooms high up in a converted attic, but such wonderful value for a place right beside Notre Dame. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

Didn't get the peelady, but in the Palais de Chaillot one morning I noticed an elegant Frenchwoman out for her morning exercise. She was descending those steps down from the plaza where Hitler stood, and as she came down the second flight, I had my camera zoomed and focussed for her appearance. Just to get a person in the shot for the human scale and the grace and style of a true Parisienne.

Click! I got my shot. Lovely.

At least until I got home and spotted that she had her index digit fair up her pointy French nose.

 

[infinity]

Sitting in a little cafe opposite the Sorbonne. Breakfast of outstanding croissants and tea for two 20 euros. Perfect!
Only in Paris.
Now a walk along the left bank to the effiel tower.
C'est le vie