Paris, France makes Asians psychotic

[skcin]

This is just weird:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15391010/?GT1=8618

'Paris Syndrome' leaves tourists in shock
Japanese visitors found to suffer from psychiatric phenomenon
Oct 23, 2006
PARIS - Around a dozen Japanese tourists a year need psychological treatment after visiting Paris as the reality of unfriendly locals and scruffy streets clashes with their expectations, a newspaper reported on Sunday.

"A third of patients get better immediately, a third suffer relapses and the rest have psychoses," Yousef Mahmoudia, a psychologist at the Hotel-Dieu hospital, next to Notre Dame cathedral, told the newspaper Journal du Dimanche.

Already this year, Japan's embassy in Paris has had to repatriate at least four visitors -- including two women who believed their hotel room was being bugged and there was a plot against them.

Previous cases include a man convinced he was the French "Sun King", Louis XIV, and a woman who believed she was being attacked with microwaves, the paper cited Japanese embassy official Yoshikatsu Aoyagi as saying.

"Fragile travelers can lose their bearings. When the idea they have of the country meets the reality of what they discover it can provoke a crisis," psychologist Herve Benhamou told the paper.

The phenomenon, which the newspaper dubbed "Paris Syndrome", was first detailed in the psychiatric journal Nervure in 2004.

Bernard Delage of Jeunes Japon, an association that helps Japanese families settle in France, said:

"In Japanese shops, the customer is king, whereas here assistants hardly look at them ... People using public transport all look stern, and handbag snatchers increase the ill feeling."

A Japanese woman, Aimi, told the paper:

"For us, Paris is a dream city. All the French are beautiful and elegant ... And then, when they arrive, the Japanese find the French character is the complete opposite of their own."

[carrie721]

wtf ... just ... wtf. :confused:

[goldustsongbird]

That'll teach 'em to not drink the water.

[goldie]

Nothing that 2 bottles of champagne on the Eiffel Tower lawn won't fix. That was my drink of choice last month when I was in Paris, at least.

I did see a Louvre worker go OFF on an older British guy just because he tapped her on the shoulder to ask her a question, though. It was scary! I thought she was going to pounce on the guy!

[Rickypt]

I have had nothing but fantastic experiences in Paris and throughout France. People on the street have walked with me for blocks to show me where an ATM is located and to point out a Metro stop. Maybe it's because I asked them in French instead of screaming at them in English? :shrug:

[irishgrl]

I will NEVER set one pinky toe in that country AND, I wont miss it.

[carrie721]

I have had nothing but fantastic experiences in Paris and throughout France. People on the street have walked with me for blocks to show me where an ATM is located and to point out a Metro stop. Maybe it's because I asked them in French instead of screaming at them in English? :shrug:

why would you want to speak to them in their own language instead of being ignorant? :confused: :shrug: :blob2:

[Rickypt]

why would you want to speak to them in their own language instead of being ignorant? :confused: :shrug: :blob2:

I'll never forget watching an American man scream at a Paris Metro employee in English. The complete arrogance and lack of logic.

We are the rude ones.

When I was 19, I met my first boyfriend in Paris. He was from south of France and on vacation. He wound up taking me back to his family's home and they let me -- a complete stranger -- stay there for 3 weeks.

I love France, I love French people, I love French food, I love French wine, I love Patricia Kaas, I don't really like French movies very much though.

[Rickypt]

I will NEVER set one pinky toe in that country AND, I wont miss it.

Why not? :shrug:

[Für Elise]

I will NEVER set one pinky toe in that country AND, I wont miss it.why are you so set against it? not cause of the american and french mutual dislike thing? that's all a bit of a joke really. the british have the same thing but I wouldn't let it mean anything on real terms and prevent me from experiencing the country in person.

[tuigirl]

Interesting article about the Japanese, and in some ways I can sympathise with them, feeling very out of sorts, when they visit there. No matter how long you visit (or live..and we lived there for 15 yrs), no matter what you look like (and the Japanese are very obvious looking, not too many of them living there!) you will never be accepted esp if you can't speak the lingo, even then (if you do speak it well, as a "Frenchman") they'll look at you in disbelief.It's just the way they are. I admire Johnny Depp for sticking with it as long as he has now, but then lotsa money, having a French mistress (and 2 half French kids) helps soften the blow a bit and can buy you a bit of privacy. In our villages, we were always thought of as a bit of a novelty act , I think.Just a thought or two.....As for the Japanese, there are much more tolerent places to visit.

[Neb-Maat-Re]

Already this year, Japan's embassy in Paris has had to repatriate at least four visitors -- including two women who believed their hotel room was being bugged and there was a plot against them.

Previous cases include a man convinced he was the French "Sun King", Louis XIV, and a woman who believed she was being attacked with microwaves, the paper cited Japanese embassy official Yoshikatsu Aoyagi as saying.


It does sound as if some of these people had problems before they went to France.

[Rickypt]

No matter how long you visit (or live..and we lived there for 15 yrs), no matter what you look like (and the Japanese are very obvious looking, not too many of them living there!) you will never be accepted esp if you can't speak the lingo, even then (if you do speak it well, as a "Frenchman") they'll look at you in disbelief.\

Right,and this is different from other countries.....how? :shrug:

[Mari]

It's different in this country. People here will more likely speak to tourists in English (or German, or French etc) than in Dutch. I think we're an exception though.
I do think it's nice to make an effort to learn at least some words of the language of the country your visiting.

[skcin]

Why not? :shrug:

why are you so set against it? not cause of the american and french mutual dislike thing? that's all a bit of a joke really. the british have the same thing but I wouldn't let it mean anything on real terms and prevent me from experiencing the country in person.

Oh man, you guys are just asking for a 10 page reply from her. :p

[tuigirl]

10 pages from me? Nah, I don't think so, I can't be bothered. I was basing my reality of living in France, on 15 yrs experience, thats all.We saw what the ordinary person sees, not necessarily, a visitor, and I can see that a visitor could have expectations that may be quite different in reality.for example, spitting on the street is a common practice there (men mainly) as is going for a wee on the side of the road in full view (in the countryside, men mainly). they think nothing of doing this, it's the way they are.Yes, the streets are dirty (some might call it charming) and it's possible many places are like this, maybe the japanese fantasies are just too high, who knows. Anyway, I'm gonna stop or before I know it , I'll have done 9 1/2 pages !

[sparky]

I don't know how Paris could be traumatic for someone who lives in the overpopulated, tech forward sensory overload that is urban Japan. Whatever.
As for France, the French are okay. I speak passable French, so it wasn't a problem. I prefer Nice to Paris, though. The streets of are covered with dog**** and too many of the people reek of powerful fragrances.

[irishgrl]

why are you so set against it? not cause of the american and french mutual dislike thing? that's all a bit of a joke really. the british have the same thing but I wouldn't let it mean anything on real terms and prevent me from experiencing the country in person.

because I cant speak any foreign languages at all and the French are notorious for not wanting to help a non-French speaking tourist.....and

there's nothing there I want to see.

[irishgrl]

Oh man, you guys are just asking for a 10 page reply from her. :p

wrong as usual. couple of sentences, that is all. dont you have a conshohocken somewhere that needs attention?

[Für Elise]

because I cant speak any foreign languages at all and the French are notorious for not wanting to help a non-French speaking tourist.....and

there's nothing there I want to see.Fair enough. some cultures just don't interest me too much although there will always be something interesting, I'm sure you'd find things to see if you did go .but naturally you choose the places that most interest cause we cant visit every single country.

[Rickypt]

because I cant speak any foreign languages at all and the French are notorious for not wanting to help a non-French speaking tourist..

This is simply not true. If you approach them with a little respect and learn a couple of phrases (such as telling them in French that you don't speak French, and do they speak English), you'd find they are an extremely helpful and gracious people.

If you don't want to go, that's fine, but don't spread ignorance about an entire country if you have no experience.

[SuzeQuze]

It's different in this country. People here will more likely speak to tourists in English (or German, or French etc) than in Dutch. I think we're an exception though.
I do think it's nice to make an effort to learn at least some words of the language of the country your visiting.

I found Dutch people extremely friendly while in Amsterdam. I was lost and went into a video store expecting the worst when asking for directions. The street names sounded the same to me so I had trouble understanding the woman (stereotypically tall blonde and beautiful). She drew me a map! And her coworker was just as nice. :nod:

I would love to go to Paris but intend to learn some French before I go since I know that is important.

[Miss Vicky]

"People using public transport all look stern, and handbag snatchers increase the ill feeling."

There are worse things to endure when using public transportation in Tokyo. Like the creeps that ride the train for no other reason than to grope fellow passengers, and you're packed in there so tight that you can't move away from them so there's nothing you can do about it.

I'd rather have my purse snatched or ride with stern-faced passengers than have some pervert fondling my privates.