So I wanted to write a bit about stuff we/you/I have heard about Paris and my experience here.
1) Heard: There's dog poo on the streets.
Truth: Ok I have seen dog poo on the streets. But not significantly more than in Singapore. Maybe things are relative... Maybe the people who make this comment live in countries where there is NO dog poo on the streets. But for me, I feel there's little to no difference between Singapore and Paris.
So to me, this is false.
2) Heard: French people are proud/rude.
Truth: I've never had any real issues with proud French folks. They have been helpful when I ask for directions, they have been helpful in shops, nothing much. They DO have pride in their country and language though. But they aren't particularly proud or arrogant when interacting with me from my own experience.
3) Heard: Service is terrible in Paris.
Truth: Once again... I've had no real issues here. Staff has been helpful. Maybe it's cos, I'm used to lousy service in Singapore. Really, service in Singapore sucks, so maybe I think the French are good enough.
Ok sometimes, when I get to the counter, the staff is talking with their friend and they don't really acknowledge me/the customer until they finish what they are saying... But I'm pretty ok with that. I've lived through much worse in Singapore.
4) Heard: The subways are old and breakdown all the time.
Truth: Ok the subways are really old. They aren't like our MRT stations and trains which are clean and the station floors are nice and well maintained.
But, I've never had any issues with the train services. If train services breakdown all the time, I would think maybe once a month is a lot, but nope... until now we haven't had any issues with train services.
5) Heard: Paris is a beautiful city.
Truth: It is. The architecture is beautiful, there is a certain soul and culture in the city. Nice buildings, a romantic feel, cos of how the media has portrayed Paris.
But there are also the shady sides of Paris, the not so nice parts. The rough areas within Paris, which no one knows, and not much media talks about. Tourists never see these areas.
Similarly, in Singapore, we have rental flats and families that live in rough conditions, homeless people coming out at night, etc.
So is it a beautify city? Yes and no... it depends on where you look.
6) Heard: French are racist
Truth: I've never had any issues with racism, maybe yet... or maybe cos I'm within Paris region where it's a city of tourists and other races are common. But one thing I know, is that I see more mixed race couples here than in other countries. It's not a lot, but I feel it IS more than other countries I've been to.
7) Heard: The French don't work
Truth: The French are kind of slow in their work, they don't respond to emails as fast, or they don't even respond to emails. They ARE pretty chill about work, it's just another part of life. It's not LIFE. So they will work, a bit too relaxed I feel, but in truth, what's the rush. Everything is the company's money. End of the month they get paid. The thing is, most people here are like this. So there isn't the issue that someone else is trying to out do the other person. It only works when everyone's in it together.
During the summer break (now), a large number of Parisians are out of town, they go for 2-3 week holidays. That's normal.
So... if you think the French are sitting around all the time doing nothing, that's not true. They DO work, but kinda chill about it. And when it's time to rest, they rest.
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