Comments on: The Good & Bad of Paris http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:38:18 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: CaliDeaf http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-60855 CaliDeaf Tue, 26 Dec 2006 18:55:25 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-60855 Hi Noelle, Could you tell me where I can get more info on the free admission in Paris if you are deaf? Do I need a special card or something? any help would be greatly appreciated. Hi Noelle,
Could you tell me where I can get more info on the free admission in Paris if you are deaf? Do I need a special card or something? any help would be greatly appreciated.

]]> By: moi http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-5679 moi Sun, 04 Jun 2006 02:37:40 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-5679 Oui, c'est vrai! It isn't even necessary to speak French, as long as one tries to say stuff like "s'il vous plaît." I've seen my friends get by with that successfully. For me, it's a bit different, since I'm a Francophone, albeit not a fabulous one. French people, including Parisiens, can be downright charming, whether you know one word or one hundred words of French. Once I needed ibuprofen when I was near the Arc de Triomphe, and I went in to the pharmacie. I had no idea what the French word for ibuprofen was, so I described my symptoms, gesturing more than writing. I apologized for my terrible French, and the pharmacist shushed me, saying, "Non, non, pas de probleme!" She was so sweet. (Aside: turns out the word is ibuprofène! Duh! *grin*) You said it, Jared. They are NOT arrogant and snobby if you don't barge in expecting them to speak English right off the bat. Oui, c’est vrai! It isn’t even necessary to speak French, as long as one tries to say stuff like “s’il vous plaît.” I’ve seen my friends get by with that successfully. For me, it’s a bit different, since I’m a Francophone, albeit not a fabulous one. French people, including Parisiens, can be downright charming, whether you know one word or one hundred words of French. Once I needed ibuprofen when I was near the Arc de Triomphe, and I went in to the pharmacie. I had no idea what the French word for ibuprofen was, so I described my symptoms, gesturing more than writing. I apologized for my terrible French, and the pharmacist shushed me, saying, “Non, non, pas de probleme!” She was so sweet. (Aside: turns out the word is ibuprofène! Duh! *grin*) You said it, Jared. They are NOT arrogant and snobby if you don’t barge in expecting them to speak English right off the bat.

]]> By: Jared Evans http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-5333 Jared Evans Wed, 31 May 2006 16:34:33 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-5333 You're right absolument! If you make an attempt to initially write in French, no matter how bad you may be, they will really appreciate your effort. French people have to put up with so many tourists doing dumb things in their country and they will breath a sigh of relief with those few tourists that take the time to fit in with the French. There was one time when I had a big blister on my toe from walking so much over the previous few days. When I went into la Pharmacie to get something for the blister and I tried to explain in rudimentary French words what I need. The French lady made me to sit down and she actually took off my shoes and socks for me and got a special blister bandage which she then put on my stinky toe! Arrogant and snobby French? I don't think so! You’re right absolument! If you make an attempt to initially write in French, no matter how bad you may be, they will really appreciate your effort. French people have to put up with so many tourists doing dumb things in their country and they will breath a sigh of relief with those few tourists that take the time to fit in with the French.

There was one time when I had a big blister on my toe from walking so much over the previous few days. When I went into la Pharmacie to get something for the blister and I tried to explain in rudimentary French words what I need.

The French lady made me to sit down and she actually took off my shoes and socks for me and got a special blister bandage which she then put on my stinky toe!

Arrogant and snobby French? I don’t think so!

]]> By: moi http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-5261 moi Tue, 30 May 2006 17:58:54 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-5261 Cooooool! I'll hafta check that out next time I'm in the area! Merci! Cooooool! I’ll hafta check that out next time I’m in the area! Merci!

]]> By: moi http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-5260 moi Tue, 30 May 2006 17:54:07 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-5260 Amazing how much French-bashing there is here. Truth is, if Americans go to Paris and expect them to speak English immediately, yup, they're in for a very nasty surprise. I'm not defending that, just acknowledging reality. However, every time I have attempted to meet them halfway by gesturing or using a few words of French, they are so incredibly friendly and helpful. Yes, even people in the heart of Paris, like in the 1er or 2e Arrondissements. All they ask is that you don't barge in speaking or writing English right off the bat. I have tales of people using English and the reaction they got versus the same people gesturing or attempting feeble French. Even a simple "Pardon, je ne parle pas français. Je regrette. Parlez-vous anglais?" will go a long way. Amazing how much French-bashing there is here. Truth is, if Americans go to Paris and expect them to speak English immediately, yup, they’re in for a very nasty surprise. I’m not defending that, just acknowledging reality. However, every time I have attempted to meet them halfway by gesturing or using a few words of French, they are so incredibly friendly and helpful. Yes, even people in the heart of Paris, like in the 1er or 2e Arrondissements. All they ask is that you don’t barge in speaking or writing English right off the bat. I have tales of people using English and the reaction they got versus the same people gesturing or attempting feeble French. Even a simple “Pardon, je ne parle pas français. Je regrette. Parlez-vous anglais?” will go a long way.

]]> By: Jared Evans http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4924 Jared Evans Fri, 26 May 2006 15:58:42 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4924 Were you aware of Cafe Signes? http://www.cafesignes.com/ It's a Parisian cafe run entirely by French Deaf people and you have to order in LSF! Were you aware of Cafe Signes?
http://www.cafesignes.com/

It’s a Parisian cafe run entirely by French Deaf people and you have to order in LSF!

]]> By: Brand X http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4833 Brand X Thu, 25 May 2006 18:59:35 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4833 Blaflooey me! Heres the link I had promised above: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/05/25/MNGRBJ1OS530.DTL Blaflooey me! Heres the link I had promised above:

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/arti.....1OS530.DTL

]]> By: Brand X http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4832 Brand X Thu, 25 May 2006 18:57:48 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4832 The French were recently voted as the most loathsome of people in a British survey. Although, that same survey portrayed Americans as those who lack style and that American food is boring and uninspiring. Opinions aside, The results of a recent vintage wine tasting event had proved the French wrong when they claimed that Californian wines wouldn't age as well as their French counterparts. Californian wines crushed the competition by placing first through fifth. The link to this article is pasted below. The French, they're always saving face. The French were recently voted as the most loathsome of people in a British survey. Although, that same survey portrayed Americans as those who lack style and that American food is boring and uninspiring.
Opinions aside, The results of a recent vintage wine tasting event had proved the French wrong when they claimed that Californian wines wouldn’t age as well as their French counterparts. Californian wines crushed the competition by placing first through fifth. The link to this article is pasted below.
The French, they’re always saving face.

]]> By: DOH http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4821 DOH Thu, 25 May 2006 17:38:21 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4821 Yesh! Years ago at Lourve, I was stunned to see how small the painitng of Mona Lisa was. See this picture http://www.atkielski.com/inlink.php?/PhotoGallery/Paris/Louvre/MonaLisaLarge.html Look at the size compared to other large pictures in that room! Well, most tourists use flash anyway technically forbidden but not enforced) BUT they end up having some reflections because it is hanged inside the bulletproof glass. So there is no point in using flash. With a sophisticated camera without flash unit (if you have one), your picutre will turn out fine. I LOVE Paris!!despite the fact that most French people are snob. I think it's part of their culture according to the French literature! Yesh! Years ago at Lourve, I was stunned to see how small the painitng of Mona Lisa was. See this picture http://www.atkielski.com/inlin.....Large.html Look at the size compared to other large pictures in that room! Well, most tourists use flash anyway technically forbidden but not enforced) BUT they end up having some reflections because it is hanged inside the bulletproof glass.
So there is no point in using flash. With a sophisticated camera without flash unit (if you have one), your picutre will turn out fine. I LOVE Paris!!despite the fact that most French people are snob. I think it’s part of their culture according to the French literature!

]]> By: The Sage http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4805 The Sage Thu, 25 May 2006 15:08:17 +0000 http://www.deafdc.com/blog/erin-himmelmann/2006-05-23/the-good-bad-of-paris/#comment-4805 Ah, you're just cranky cuz you saw someone mention dog poop, food, and complete meal in the same post. How's Arizona? Hot? Ah, you’re just cranky cuz you saw someone mention dog poop, food, and complete meal in the same post. How’s Arizona? Hot?

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