Post: #226

Ok, then I'd play the Mexican part big time. That's exotic there.
If you speak Portuguese fluently, I'd suggest playing the Brasilian card as French people LOVE Brasil and Brasilians, specially the girls. When and where in France are you planning on going?

(07-05-2013 12:49 PM)Hispanic_Reasoning Wrote:  I am not Greek-Mexican, I Just have a Greek first name because my parents decided to name me that. I am as Mexican as any normal Mexican, except I ended up looking more like a North-African/South Asian than a Mexican because of some anomaly. but thanks for the info.

Post: #227

(07-05-2013 01:09 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Ok, then I'd play the Mexican part big time. That's exotic there.
If you speak Portuguese fluently, I'd suggest playing the Brasilian card as French people LOVE Brasil and Brasilians, specially the girls. When and where in France are you planning on going?

(07-05-2013 12:49 PM)Hispanic_Reasoning Wrote:  I am not Greek-Mexican, I Just have a Greek first name because my parents decided to name me that. I am as Mexican as any normal Mexican, except I ended up looking more like a North-African/South Asian than a Mexican because of some anomaly. but thanks for the info.

if I go to france (most likely southern France, as I want to avoid americans), then I might go either next summer or the next summer after that, since I am trying to save up enough money so that I can spend at least 2 months in France (I want to integrate myself as much as I can in France and not just visit a few cities in a week like most tourists do. and sadly, I don't speak portuguese, I only speak english (american) and spanish (mexican).

Post: #228

(07-05-2013 12:40 PM)Vorkuta Wrote:  

(07-05-2013 09:55 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  I love France.

And I loved Cote d'Azur.

However, I don't know if my expectations were too high or what, but I wouldn't want to live there.

I actually like Biarritz (from what I remember) way more. You should check that out for sure.

As far as the Med goes, I think I also like coastal Spain more. I am racking my brain trying to think of any advantages of Nice over say Alicante.

I like Miami Beach a million times more. Hell, I think I even like Montreal more (although no beach).

Still, it is a phenomenal place.

I am glad I can cross it off my list.

That's fair.

I think it comes down to where you live or hang out a lot. I live in a small provincial British city and spend my holidays in real shit holes in the FSU. The Cote d'Azur was the first time I had lived in such a place and it blew me away. If I was already used to rolling in Miami or LA would it blow me away so much? Maybe not.

I never liked Spain especially not the coastal cities ( not been to Alicante however so can't comment ). I found the Spanish people were hard to connect with and jaded by tourists, it is the only country I have been to and vowed never to return to. In France although there are tourists you still feel the strength of the culture. You go a street back from the Promenade Des Anglais and you are away from tourists. Drive 30 minutes into the mountains and you are in a make believe world of mountain top villages and real culture. Sometimes a country and it's culture just chimes with you and you feel comfortable there, France had that for me, I felt good there.

I will be doing 2 months on 2 months off in France for the next year so I am really looking forwards to seeing some more out of the way places, towns without tourists. I'd like to check out Biarritz and VP thanks for the invite my friend, would love to see your area with you. If you're ever in France over the next 12 months then hit me up.

I checked out Ventimiglia which is a town just over the Italian border from Menton. It was interesting how the atmosphere changed as soon as you cross over. People are louder, the place is more run down, people hang their washing out on rope pulleys, an awesome little town. I plan to explore more of the Ligurian coast over the year and make a comparison.

Yeah, I hope it doesn't seem like I thought the place sucked, far from it.

I rate Nice and Monaco an 8/10.

Nice loses two points for lack of high end scene/people, and nightlife.

Monaco loses two points for lack of user friendliness, and expense.

Montreal I would probably rate an 8.5 (losing a full point for no beach).

Miami I would probably rate a 9.5 (losing half a point for lack of good markets).

Just to put it all in perspective.

So yeah, I don't think The French Riviera sucks at all, I think it is dope. I just rate it behind two of my favorite cities.

It is certainly better than DC, or Zanesville, OH.

I would recommend anyone to go visit.

As far as living, I wouldn't do it.

Post: #229

So Nice is worth a visit for the beach/daytime scene? No nightlife? How are prices?

Post: #230

(07-06-2013 12:45 PM)Hencredible Casanova Wrote:  So Nice is worth a visit for the beach/daytime scene?

It's stunning:





Saw one yacht on the Top 100 list.

I think #52 or something.

That was impressive, but whatever, it's not mine, so who really cares?

Also, keep in mind that Nice is a pebbly beach.

But the water is so beautiful.

Quote:No nightlife?

Nice is lame for nightlife.

The "French Riviera" that you are thinking of (or at least I was) exists in Monaco.

But be prepared to pay $47 euros ($60) for 2 goose and sodas.

Quote:How are prices?

Monaco is probably 30% more than Miami Beach.

Nice is cheaper than Miami Beach.

All in all Hen, I would probably steer you away unless you really have a "French Riviera" itch to scratch, as I did.

For girls it will be rough going in Nice. In Monaco you are paying thru the nose.

You can find the same scene in Monaco in Miami Beach at a 30% discount.

Nice is beautiful physically, good restaurants, good markets.

People dress pretty sloppy though.

The night scene pretty much sucks.

Not a ton of fly girls.

All those things were a surprise/shock to me.

I mean, hell, if one is going all the way to "The French Riviera" why not get all Riviera-like.

It is like dribbling the ball up the court and not shooting.

Post: #231

^ Interesting perspective. Somewhat disappointing, but in line with what I've heard of the area. The "French Riviera", on my future itinerary, sounds to me similar to much of the Caribbean: beautiful, fairly expensive and bring your own girl(s).

Post: #232

Also, keep in mind this is just my opinion.

Our opinions are colored by our perspectives.

Vorkuta made that point very well, and said he is coming from a perspective of "provincial UK town and FSU sh*tholes" (paraphrasing here).

My perspective is pretty well known, but it is coming from a more Las Vegas, LA, Miami Beach, NYC, Barcelona, Montreal type perspective.

So our view points couldn't be more different.

When I say "the nightlife sucks, and people dress sloppy" I am comparing that to idealized Miami Beach (or NYC or Vegas) with people dressed sharp, and girls in high heels and skirts during the day and some of the best nightlife in the world. Someone else might go there and think it is great nightlife and sharp dressed people in Nice.

Anyone can see lately, I have been comparing everything to Miami Beach, for better or worse. That is my comparison point, because I am stacking everywhere I go against it, because I think it might be the best place on Earth for me 8-9 months of the year.

We all know others on here hate Miami Beach with a passion so take it for what it is. My situation in Miami Beach is ideal (for me anyways).

Something to keep in mind.

Post: #233

I used to work at a hotel that was owned by two French men so we got a ton of French guests. I would go as far as to say they are some of the rudest people I've ever encountered. Many of them would freak out about putting down a $50 deposit for there whole stay, even if they were staying two weeks, which at the end of their stay they would get back. Many would also arrogantly ask, "you don't speak French?" They thought I was a dumb American who only spoke English but little so they know I speak 3 languages. Sometimes I would say, "no, I don't speak French because I have no interest on ever visiting France." Even though I would like to go some day, I liked to get a rise out of them. Some of them were really cool, but on average they could be really rude. They also seem to be the worst English speakers in Western Europe, many didn't speak at all. A lot of the cool ones I met were of Arab descent. The French loved to complain about everything too. If I wasn't making such good money I would have quite that job within two weeks. The Frenchmen that owned the hotel sucked too. They were cheap asses.

Post: #234

(07-08-2013 03:16 AM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  I used to work at a hotel that was owned by two French men so we got a ton of French guests. I would go as far as to say they are some of the rudest people I've ever encountered. Many of them would freak out about putting down a $50 deposit for there whole stay, even if they were staying two weeks, which at the end of their stay they would get back. Many would also arrogantly ask, "you don't speak French?" They thought I was a dumb American who only spoke English but little so they know I speak 3 languages. Sometimes I would say, "no, I don't speak French because I have no interest on ever visiting France." Even though I would like to go some day, I liked to get a rise out of them. Some of them were really cool, but on average they could be really rude. They also seem to be the worst English speakers in Western Europe, many didn't speak at all. A lot of the cool ones I met were of Arab descent. The French loved to complain about everything too. If I wasn't making such good money I would have quite that job within two weeks. The Frenchmen that owned the hotel sucked too. They were cheap asses.

In defense of France, Israeli are worst tourist than us Did you work in the US ?

Post: #235

(07-08-2013 05:51 AM)Mac Chicken Wrote:  In defense of France, Israeli are worst tourist than us Did you work in the US ?

+1

I had a guest house in India for a few years in my twenties and the Israelis were the biggest pain in the ass out of all the nationalities that stayed there. I used to run an all you can eat buffet in my restaurant and the fuckers would stay there all day eating and then bring out tupper ware boxes and take food back to their rooms. I had to stop doing it. They used to cause so much trouble needlessly and be so uptight about shit that by the end I would say we were full if Israeli guys turned up looking for a room. I heard that in Nepal there are signs saying 'No Israelis' in some hotels but it might be an urban myth.

I once took a minibus from BKK to Kanchanaburi. The driver wanted to take his niece on the trip but there wasn't really room for her so it was a bit of a squeeze on the back seat but tolerable for such a short journey. Everyone was cool except for these two Israeli fucks who were causing a scene and told her to get out. I said she could sit on my lap but the Israelis caused a scene again so the girl had to be left behind. The driver took revenge by driving all the way from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi at less then 30 miles an hour, it took fucking ages!

Israelis go two ways: mellow and cool as anything or uptight dick heads. Usually the latter in my experience.

Post: #236

Also, in defense of France, when I was in The French Riviera, I never experienced any "French Rudeness".

My French isn't great, and people politely corrected me (which I like) or spoke English with me no problem.

I have probably been to France 5 or 6 times, and probably spent a total of 10-11 months of my life there.

Never once have I experienced "French Rudeness".

Post: #237

Isn't the French rudeness skewed a bit by the Parisians? I've only ever been to Paris and their rudeness was experienced every time..with the sardonic tone and everything.

Post: #238

(07-08-2013 08:23 AM)Moma Wrote:  Isn't the French rudeness skewed a bit by the Parisians? I've only ever been to Paris and their rudeness was experienced every time..with the sardonic tone and everything.

Admittedly, parisians tend to consider many things/people "beauf" - and sometimes "gros beauf".

More about this concept:

http://www.o-chateau.com/stuff-parisians...eaufs.html

I was born in Corsica but always lived in Paris, and must confess that I kind of recognize my own frame of mind in this description.

Post: #239

Yeah I hear people from the rest of France are typically pretty cool and I did notice more often than not it was the Parisians that were assholes. Regarding Israelis, I never had a problem with them. In fact, one of the girls from the Israeli version of beauty and the geek invited me out, she was fly as hell. I would say the Indians would be right up there with the French in rudeness and were definitely the most annoying. They ALWAYS try and get a discount. My girl said the same thing in Europe. I remember a group of them once had my concierge busy for 3 hours trying to get them the best deal they could on a limo. He got the price knocked down 20% and at the end they ended up not wanting it.

Post: #240

My friend and his band played a few shows in France. They walked in to a McDonald's one day and heard the guys at the register speaking English. When they went up to order the employees realized my friends were Americans and played it off like they didn't speak English. Of course 5 big tattooed American motherfuckers weren't going to take that shit and called them out on being liars. The manager had to get involved and ended up taking their order to keep the peace.

They love all things American ...music, culture, cigarettes. They just hate Americans themselves. Fucking ironic if you ask me.

There's plenty of other stories like that. Their reputation for being ignorant and arrogant is well deserved.

Post: #241

(07-08-2013 11:05 AM)Parlay44 Wrote:  My friend and his band played a few shows in France. They walked in to a McDonald's one day and heard the guys at the register speaking English. When they went up to order the employees realized my friends were Americans and played it off like they didn't speak English. Of course 5 big tattooed American motherfuckers weren't going to take that shit and called them out on being liars. The manager had to get involved and ended up taking their order to keep the peace.

They love all things American ...music, culture, cigarettes. They just hate Americans themselves. Fucking ironic if you ask me.

There's plenty of other stories like that. Their reputation for being ignorant and arrogant is well deserved.

Well, in defense of France, American's eating McDonald's while in France doesn't really help our reputation either.

Post: #242

(07-08-2013 11:05 AM)Parlay44 Wrote:  Their reputation for being ignorant is well deserved.

Define ignorant.

Post: #243

(07-08-2013 11:36 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(07-08-2013 11:05 AM)Parlay44 Wrote:  Their reputation for being ignorant is well deserved.

Define ignorant.

Going to McDonalds while in Paris.

Post: #244

As we would say in French, "le comble du comble, c'est d'être traité d'ignorant par les Américains". Which roughly translates to: "the highest irony of all is being treated of being ignorant by Americans".

I tend to agree that Parigos as Parisians are commonly referred to outside of Paris, can be a tad snobby and rude. However, the rest, specially the south, and even more so, the south west, is as friendly as it gets.

Vorkuta,
I'd love to hear more of your stories of running your own hostel in India. I'm sure you have a ton of juicy anecdotes to tell us. For the buffet, you should have put a limit of 2 hours max, this would have reduced all these cheapos leeching off of you. Israelis definitely are among the stingiest and cheapest people ever with Indians, Chinese and Arabs in that order! I've seen Israeli and Indian guys argue like crazy with the clercks at 7/11 for 5 freaking bahts!!!!

I can confirm that in Thailand, there are hotels, bars and clubs who will not let Indians, Arabs and Israelis get in. I witnessed that multiple times with my own eyes. A pack of Indian guys being turned down entrance at a bar being told that it's a private club only for members while I walked right past them into the club. A couple of times, in Pattaya and Phuket, I walked into a hotel with no reservation and saw once a group of Arabs and another a group of Indian guys being told the hotel is full. As I was right behind these guys in both cases, I thought I'd have to look elsewhere but upon further inquirying, I was told by the very same women who turned the guys in front of me down, that they do not let Indians, Arabs and Middle Eastern guys stay at their hotel. And they do lump Israelis into the Middle Eastern group over there.

I asked her why, she said that they usually book a room for one person and then, 3-5 if not more of them show up in the room. Or that other tenants at the hotel have been complaining a lot about them, making way too many noises and talking very loudly on the corridors at all hours of the day and night.

To be honest, I don't really blame the hotels/clubs and bars. If I were to own one, i'd want people to spend, not to penny pinch or try to screw me as they did by squatting all day long at the buffet and bringing food into their room or booking a room for 1 person and then, having 3-5 or more of them show up!

(07-08-2013 11:36 AM)Prosal Wrote:  

(07-08-2013 11:05 AM)Parlay44 Wrote:  Their reputation for being ignorant is well deserved.

Define ignorant.

Post: #245

Not to mention that they are missing on one of THE highlights of any self respecting France trip, to experience French food and cuisine, the best in the world. Going to France and eating at McDos is like going to a 5 star Michelin restaurant and ordering a hot dog...lol

(07-08-2013 11:16 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Well, in defense of France, American's eating McDonald's while in France doesn't really help our reputation either.

Post: #246

(07-08-2013 03:11 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Israelis definitely are among the stingiest and cheapest people ever with Indians, Chinese and Arabs in that order! I've seen Israeli and Indian guys argue like crazy with the clercks at 7/11 for 5 freaking bahts!!!!

Post: #247

Yeah, the Arabs were pretty bad too. Them and the Indians. They always tried to get me to find them hookers too. Weird thing though the french arabs were usually pretty cool. i made friends with a couple. We had every type of person under the sun stay with us. I will say though Israelis weren't extremely common but the ones we did have were usually cool.

Post: #248

(07-04-2013 02:32 PM)Vorkuta Wrote:  I go back in September for two months, I will learn French, explore more of the area, make local friends ( Green Lion: sorry I never met you dude I was just too busy with things, I will be back soon and have that night out with you as promised. I was in Menton last week but never had your number or I'd have invited you out ), watch French films, listen to French 60's music, wear a striped shirt and ride a bicycle. France has gripped me and shown me what the potential for Europe and Europeans is. We don't have to live like we do in the UK, we'd be better off inviting the French to invade and teach us how to be better. Oh, and there are direct flights to Moscow and Kiev from Nice ( come on, you didn't expect me to make a post without mentioning the FSU did you? )

That's fine Vorkuta, by September i will still be there so contact me when you hit Nice again.
Great post by the way, maybe i can help you with learning some french , if you help me with my poor english skills !

Post: #249

thread devolving into 'worst ethnic groups on holidays'.

Post: #250

Anyone ever heard of XL airways?? I just saw a fare for less than 600 for a RT to Paris from JFK this fall

What's the lowdown??