Paris, France makes Asians psychotic

skcin · #1 10-24-2006, 11:20 AM

This is just weird:

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

Quote:

'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 · #2 10-24-2006, 11:23 AM

wtf ... just ... wtf.

goldustsongbird · #3 10-24-2006, 11:46 AM

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

goldie · #4 10-24-2006, 07:13 PM

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 · #5 10-24-2006, 07:27 PM

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?

irishgrl · #6 10-24-2006, 07:33 PM

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

carrie721 · #7 10-24-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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

Rickypt · #8 10-24-2006, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrie721

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

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 · #9 10-24-2006, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishgrl

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

Why not?

Für Elise · #10 10-24-2006, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishgrl

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 · #11 10-25-2006, 12:58 AM

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 · #12 10-25-2006, 01:29 AM

Quote:

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 · #13 10-25-2006, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tuigirl

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?

Mari · #14 10-25-2006, 06:40 AM

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 · #15 10-25-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickypt

Why not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Für Elise

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.