New York and Paris. - Page 5

Originally posted by: FingerFetish

I heard the exact same thing. The ‘No English’ statement is common or they just ignore you completely. I can’t deal with snobs, and most likely would end up pissing them off by letting Google Translate speak French on my behalf. Let’s see how they like it now. 😆

It is terribly arrogant of them to pretend not to understand English and help someone in need. No question about it. But I've seen the same situation in India- from the locals' point of view. It is also arrogant if the visitor is a snob and expects the locals to speak English. I've heard this conversation. "That idiot taxi driver! I spoke to him in Hindi and English. And he doesn't understand anything. I had to call up friends to explain to the idiot what I wanted."

It is given that if you visit any other states, you should keep your local friends on speed dial and/or learn the local language. You are in their territory and they are not obliged to learn you language.

I want to visit Paris

Originally posted by: capricornrcks

It is terribly arrogant of them to pretend not to understand English and help someone in need. No question about it. But I've seen the same situation in India- from the locals' point of view. It is also arrogant if the visitor is a snob and expects the locals to speak English. I've heard this conversation. "That idiot taxi driver! I spoke to him in Hindi and English. And he doesn't understand anything. I had to call up friends to explain to the idiot what I wanted."

It is given that if you visit any other states, you should keep your local friends on speed dial and/or learn the local language. You are in their territory and they are not obliged to learn you language.

I totally get your point but there’s a difference between knowing a language and choosing to be ignorant vs genuinely not knowing a language. My issue is with snobs who refuse to speak another language, despite knowing it, just because they think their language is superior. The same applies to English speakers. I’ve had random non-English speaking people come up to me struggling for directions or needing help. I don’t brush them off, in fact on many occasions I’ve communicated with them through google translate. It doesn’t cost anyone anything to try to help someone who’s obviously struggling, especially if you have the means to do so.

Originally posted by: capricornrcks

It is terribly arrogant of them to pretend not to understand English and help someone in need. No question about it. But I've seen the same situation in India- from the locals' point of view. It is also arrogant if the visitor is a snob and expects the locals to speak English. I've heard this conversation. "That idiot taxi driver! I spoke to him in Hindi and English. And he doesn't understand anything. I had to call up friends to explain to the idiot what I wanted."

It is given that if you visit any other states, you should keep your local friends on speed dial and/or learn the local language. You are in their territory and they are not obliged to learn you language.

In the tube/ underground they refuse to help out if you don’t speak French

Even if you work with French offices they often keep speaking in French 👎🏼

Paris is expensive but absolutely not more expensive than NY (of course if you rent a flat near the Eiffel tower you will pay premium), and nice and affordable suburban towns that are easily commutable. The lifestyle in Paris and France in general is much better (free healthcare, restaurants and food cheaper, transport is cheap, childcare is much cheaper, etc).

Paris has become dirtier and is not always safe, especially in the metro or around train stations but definitely safer than NY in comparison.

Overall you’re much better off living, raising kids and getting older in a European country.

The question is what is it that you fancy and matters to you. NY is more cosmopolitan and exciting than Paris if you love arts, museums, live music, food, etc. But you will need to be a high earner to afford all this, otherwise you’re better off not living there as you will end up living in a shit hole and commuting alongside pretty rough New Yorkers.

Parisians are not inclusive so you may struggle to find your place, feel accepted and get career promotions as a POC.

Conclusion: just go there on holiday and live in London, it’s the best alternative IMO.

Originally posted by: FingerFetish

I totally get your point but there’s a difference between knowing a language and choosing to be ignorant vs genuinely not knowing a language. My issue is with snobs who refuse to speak another language, despite knowing it, just because they think their language is superior. The same applies to English speakers. I’ve had random non-English speaking people come up to me struggling for directions or needing help. I don’t brush them off, in fact on many occasions I’ve communicated with them through google translate. It doesn’t cost anyone anything to try to help someone who’s obviously struggling, especially if you have the means to do so.

Thanks to kind hearted people like you ❤️who help non-English people from Asian countries when we travel abroad as tourists.

Thank goodness, I have encountered only helpful people in my life who help me when I’m stuck on my way irrespective of whether I visited places in India or abroad. ⭐️

Paris. I'm more fascinated by the thought of it despite the negatives.

There are days when I dream about being an artist or may be a fashion designer living in France.

Paris. Have been there once as a tourist . Loved the entire vibe of the city

Reading this thread

I have been to Paris a few times. I freaking love it. Yes, some people are rude but then it’s not exclusive to Paris in my opinion. I have dreamt for the longest time of going to Paris for an extended period of time and just lazing around in those quaint coffee shops by the pebbled walkways, leisurely walk around with no particular destination in mind and just absorb and be present in the sheer brilliance and beauty of it’s fashionable people, it’s gorgeous architecture and lovely by lanes. If only…. I had so much money. Paris is ALWAYS a good idea!

NYC, have never been there but I do wish and hope I will someday. If it’s anything like London I am sure I will love it. There’s also this extra edge of knowing and speaking the language which definitely helps in easy manoeuvring one’s way about town without getting lost, like I have been in Paris a couple of times