Rants and WTF are you talking about and Coronavirus!

[QUOTE=Sirioja;2514002]As written by another one, when US are 14 times larger than small France and 5 times for population, but with French population with no health insurance in a modern country, then arithmetic's like at school talk for your figures, in percent, US are far behind. I think US are ranked third for tourism, but not in percent. But I agree New York, Boston, New Orleans and San Francisco are interesting.[/QUOTE]LOL, now he wants to talk arithmetic and percentages. Not so much when he talked about covid numbers. The bias is glaring.

Paris is gross. So are the people in it.

[QUOTE=ExpatLover;2513769]You love France I don't. Except some British several years ago (mostly in Creuse, Limousin.) very few wealthy European citizen are choosing France as their principal living place for retire. On the opposite, 400000 migrants (mostly Muslim, uneducated, and poor) come to France every year. 200000 French citizen (mostly educated, middle and upper classes) are expatriating (like me). French economy is in a terrible situation near to bankruptcy without the support of the BCE and low interest rate. On the opposite mostly French people are not welcome as tourist just because of their behaviour and attitude, without speaking about their poor foreign languages capabilities.[/QUOTE]Ask British about Dordogne and around, or Bretagne. A good example is famous Nice with so famous English promenade on more than 6 kilometers, when angels bay is only second name. When wall fell, when they could choose Genova, not Geneva. Ch, or San Remo, or Monaco but maybe more difficult, but Nice became nearly Russian. I remember in restaurants, written in French, English and Russian. Not anymore now because needed to clean the place from East mafia. I don't feel not welcome when I go abroad, even only few German words or in Italian or Spanish and even in Russia where they are not really welcoming, but when You speak a bit of Russian to them, then they smile to you. You just get from what you are and how you are able to adapt, not only from where you come, even many WGs are running Asian business.

[QUOTE=Sirioja;2514008]Are you joking for good foods in US or UK compare to France, Italy or Spain or Argentinian meat, even I love UK breakfast and cranberries in US. For us, Europeans, US are new, when killed their past history, compare to our history and culture. Also, worrying weapons allowance when so many crazy there, but no more Indians to kill. I remember on my first visit, in a Miami market, a guy opened his car back and there were weapons and some military for a army. I entered rent car and left fast.[/QUOTE]I am very serious. There are very good restaurants in NYC that serve excellent food for my taste. Better than what I would get in Europe. For me though the best food in the world can be found in Mexico and Peru.

Regarding safety, in every part of the world there are areas you ought to avoid and those you can traverse safely. I am certain there are neighborhoods in Paris that you would not dare enter. I am more fearful of terrorist attacks in Europe than in the US.

[QUOTE=Turgid;2514244]I am very serious. There are very good restaurants in NYC that serve excellent food for my taste. Better than what I would get in Europe. For me though the best food in the world can be found in Mexico and Peru.

Regarding safety, in every part of the world there are areas you ought to avoid and those you can traverse safely. I am certain there are neighborhoods in Paris that you would not dare enter. I am more fearful of terrorist attacks in Europe than in the US.[/QUOTE]Sorry but you have countries were you can go everywhere, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, Korea, China, Japan, Hungary. There the police and the justice are doing their job. Every one has is own taste, I am half French and really I don't know what is French cuisine, the habits are so different from north to south but they are common points, very expensive and bad service. That is why I like Italian cuisine or Chinese or Japanese before you enter you know which kind of food you will get.

France has a geographic advantage to pad its tourism arrivals: "Location, Location, Location". In 2017, there were 87 million tourists, but over 61 million of the tourists came from UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, NL, Switzerland, Spain, Italy. All are less than a two hour flight to CDG. And if Ryanair, probably less than a 50 EUR ticket. Switzerland is not EU, but one can drive across border and rarely will border control ever stop them. UK citizens have to pass through passport control so 30 minutes max. USA only has two bordering countries, but Mexican citizens are not allowed easy and cheap access. They need to go to the embassy in Mexico City and pay $131 for a visa in addition to their airfare. But I am willing to acknowledge, that USA being a larger landmass means it has more unique terrains and geographies (Hawaii, Alaska, Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, two oceans etc) which might make it appealing.

[QUOTE]In 2017, 37 million international tourists came to France for stays of one, two or three nights. Short stays thus accounted for 43% of the total. France’s accessibility and central position in Europe makes it an attractive destination both for short stays, especially for bordering countries, and as a stage on journeys to other destinations.

https://www.entreprises.gouv.fr/files/files/directions_services/etudes-et-statistiques/4p-DGE/2018-07-4p-N84-EVE-version-anglaise.pdf[/QUOTE]I took the train from Germany to Paris a few years ago, then straight to airport hotel at CDG, and next morning international flight. When I checked into hotel, they probably counted me as a tourist arrival. I spent 14 hours in France. The five largest populations in Western Europe in order are Germany, France, UK, Italy, and Spain. And what country is the geographic center? France. This means UK, Dutch, German family who want to drive to Spain, will probably book an overnight hotel in France. Family from Zurich or Rome driving to Malaga would probably also spend a night in France. More accurately, one night on the drive to Spain, and another night on the drive back home.

[QUOTE=ExpatLover;2514252]That is why I like Italian cuisine or Chinese or Japanese before you enter you know which kind of food you will get.[/QUOTE]Those are the top three cuisines in the exact order that you specified, according to a survey of 25000 people from 24 countries: [URL]https://yougov.co.uk/topics/food/articles-reports/2019/03/12/italian-cuisine-worlds-most-popular[/URL].

I believe you said you lived in China before. Was Chinese food one of your favorite cuisines BEFORE living in China? Because I have been to a Chinese buffet in France. There were a few hundred people eating there, and I do not think there was a single Chinese. But this is most people's only exposure to Chinese food. They had an entire section dedicated to charcuterie and cheeses, so their menu was definitely designed to cater to local tastes, and not at all authentic. I was surprised I did not see Coq au Vin and Bouef Bourguignon being served there.

[QUOTE=Turgid;2514244]For me though the best food in the world can be found in Mexico and Peru.[/QUOTE]Food is highly subjective. If you look at the survey I linked, most people's favorite cuisine is the cuisine from their own country. If not, then it is usually a cuisine that they were exposed to early in life. For Americans, most lists have the top three as Mexican, Chinese, and Italian. The order would be interchangeable based on the state or perhaps the age of people surveyed. But if you trace the history of those three cuisines in America, all three were initially thought of as "disgusting" cuisines. And up until recently, all three were bastardized versions of the originals. They were altered to cater to Anglo-American tastes and the dishes were adapted to use local ingredients that were more readily available in America. BTW, this bastardization also occurred in Peru: Lomo Soltado, was invented by Chinese who immigrated to Peru.

But the food scene seems to be changing. I believe Instagram and the Internet is driving millennials, well the ones that can afford it, to seek out more regional and authentic cuisines. So now it is Oaxacan instead of just generic "Mexican". Or Sichuan or Shandong instead of just generic "Chinese". Personally, instead of Tex-Mex that is drenched with an excess of cheese and refried beans, I prefer lamb birria or mole. And I do not shy away from cilantro.

[QUOTE=McAdonis;2514326]France has a geographic advantage to pad its tourism arrivals: "Location, Location, Location". In 2017, there were 87 million tourists, but over 61 million of the tourists came from UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, NL, Switzerland, Spain, Italy. All are less than a two hour flight to CDG. And if Ryanair, probably less than a 50 EUR ticket. Switzerland is not EU, but one can drive across border and rarely will border control ever stop them. UK citizens have to pass through passport control so 30 minutes max. USA only has two bordering countries, but Mexican citizens are not allowed easy and cheap access. They need to go to the embassy in Mexico City and pay $131 for a visa in addition to their airfare. But I am willing to acknowledge, that USA being a larger landmass means it has more unique terrains and geographies (Hawaii, Alaska, Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, two oceans etc) which might make it appealing.

I took the train from Germany to Paris a few years ago, then straight to airport hotel at CDG, and next morning international flight. When I checked into hotel, they probably counted me as a tourist arrival. I spent 14 hours in France. The five largest populations in Western Europe in order are Germany, France, UK, Italy, and Spain. And what country is the geographic center? France. This means UK, Dutch, German family who want to drive to Spain, will probably book an overnight hotel in France. Family from Zurich or Rome driving to Malaga would probably also spend a night in France. More accurately, one night on the drive to Spain, and another night on the drive back home.[/QUOTE]Yes, most men agree with you, France sucks. Croissants are cool. But the French even stole that from the middle east. So basically, France all around just sucks.

[QUOTE=Mursenary;2514077]LOL, now he wants to talk arithmetic and percentages. Not so much when he talked about covid numbers. The bias is glaring.

Paris is gross. So are the people in it.[/QUOTE]Paris is a very dirty town and only the snobby Parisians or the retired Chinese people believe it's the most beautiful city in the world (and the Chinese realize it's not true as soon as they land in Roissy or Orly) . Among big French towns, Lyon and Strasbourg are obviously more beautiful but the average Parisian guy thinks that's there is nothing outside the périphérique.

And if you talk about big cities in Europe, Kraków, Vienna, Budapest, maybe even Berlin are miles ahead of Paris. The most beautiful things in France are in the countryside. Go in Ardèche, Drôme, Gard, Hérault, Alpes de Haute Provence, you'll see wonderful landscapes.

[QUOTE=BigBuddy69;2514366]Paris is a very dirty town and only the snobby Parisians or the retired Chinese people believe it's the most beautiful city in the world (and the Chinese realize it's not true as soon as they land in Roissy or Orly) . Among big French towns, Lyon and Strasbourg are obviously more beautiful but the average Parisian guy thinks that's there is nothing outside the priphrique.

And if you talk about big cities in Europe, Krakw, Vienna, Budapest, maybe even Berlin are miles ahead of Paris. The most beautiful things in France are in the countryside. Go in Ardche, Drme, Gard, Hrault, Alpes de Haute Provence, you'll see wonderful landscapes.[/QUOTE]Vienna is the nicest city I have been to in continental Europe. Doesn't have the best mongering, but as a city it was "par excellence". Isn't that French? LOLOLOL!

[QUOTE=McAdonis;2514326]France has a geographic advantage to pad its tourism arrivals: "Location, Location, Location". In 2017, there were 87 million tourists, but over 61 million of the tourists came from UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, NL, Switzerland, Spain, Italy. All are less than a two hour flight to CDG. And if Ryanair, probably less than a 50 EUR ticket. Switzerland is not EU, but one can drive across border and rarely will border control ever stop them. UK citizens have to pass through passport control so 30 minutes max. USA only has two bordering countries, but Mexican citizens are not allowed easy and cheap access. They need to go to the embassy in Mexico City and pay $131 for a visa in addition to their airfare. But I am willing to acknowledge, that USA being a larger landmass means it has more unique terrains and geographies (Hawaii, Alaska, Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, two oceans etc) which might make it appealing.

I took the train from Germany to Paris a few years ago, then straight to airport hotel at CDG, and next morning international flight. When I checked into hotel, they probably counted me as a tourist arrival. I spent 14 hours in France. The five largest populations in Western Europe in order are Germany, France, UK, Italy, and Spain. And what country is the geographic center? France. This means UK, Dutch, German family who want to drive to Spain, will probably book an overnight hotel in France. Family from Zurich or Rome driving to Malaga would probably also spend a night in France. More accurately, one night on the drive to Spain, and another night on the drive back home.[/QUOTE]Not on this year, but many US, Asians and Arabians usually visiting France and making shopping and Paris hotels business. Of course, many UK, Germans, NL and Belgium coming to spend their holidays rather than in their own country and even on this Summer. For some here who don't like me, most being jealous, I m not France which is much more famous all over the world than me, but I m happy I made my life in Paris, even I plan to retire in my beloved mountains. When girls know I m from Paris, almost all saying: city of love, still the image of Paris. Do they say the same for NY or Tokyo or Pekin?

[QUOTE=McAdonis;2514326]France has a geographic advantage to pad its tourism arrivals: "Location, Location, Location". In 2017, there were 87 million tourists, but over 61 million of the tourists came from UK, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, NL, Switzerland, Spain, Italy. All are less than a two hour flight to CDG. And if Ryanair, probably less than a 50 EUR ticket. Switzerland is not EU, but one can drive across border and rarely will border control ever stop them. UK citizens have to pass through passport control so 30 minutes max. USA only has two bordering countries, but Mexican citizens are not allowed easy and cheap access. They need to go to the embassy in Mexico City and pay $131 for a visa in addition to their airfare. But I am willing to acknowledge, that USA being a larger landmass means it has more unique terrains and geographies (Hawaii, Alaska, Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, two oceans etc) which might make it appealing.

I took the train from Germany to Paris a few years ago, then straight to airport hotel at CDG, and next morning international flight. When I checked into hotel, they probably counted me as a tourist arrival. I spent 14 hours in France. The five largest populations in Western Europe in order are Germany, France, UK, Italy, and Spain. And what country is the geographic center? France. This means UK, Dutch, German family who want to drive to Spain, will probably book an overnight hotel in France. Family from Zurich or Rome driving to Malaga would probably also spend a night in France. More accurately, one night on the drive to Spain, and another night on the drive back home.[/QUOTE]5 seas around small France, 4/5 different mountains, famous for foods, wines and champagne, for fashion, best healthcare for everybody, what I call a modern social country, even unfortunately, we have poor and unemployment.

[QUOTE=McAdonis;2514353]Those are the top three cuisines in the exact order that you specified, according to a survey of 25000 people from 24 countries: [URL]https://yougov.co.uk/topics/food/articles-reports/2019/03/12/italian-cuisine-worlds-most-popular[/URL].

I believe you said you lived in China before. Was Chinese food one of your favorite cuisines BEFORE living in China? Because I have been to a Chinese buffet in France. There were a few hundred people eating there, and I do not think there was a single Chinese. But this is most people's only exposure to Chinese food. They had an entire section dedicated to charcuterie and cheeses, so their menu was definitely designed to cater to local tastes, and not at all authentic. I was surprised I did not see Coq au Vin and Bouef Bourguignon being served there.

Food is highly subjective. If you look at the survey I linked, most people's favorite cuisine is the cuisine from their own country. If not, then it is usually a cuisine that they were exposed to early in life. For Americans, most lists have the top three as Mexican, Chinese, and Italian. The order would be interchangeable based on the state or perhaps the age of people surveyed. But if you trace the history of those three cuisines in America, all three were initially thought of as "disgusting" cuisines. And up until recently, all three were bastardized versions of the originals. They were altered to cater to Anglo-American tastes and the dishes were adapted to use local ingredients that were more readily available in America. BTW, this bastardization also occurred in Peru: Lomo Soltado, was invented by Chinese who immigrated to Peru.

But the food scene seems to be changing. I believe Instagram and the Internet is driving millennials, well the ones that can afford it, to seek out more regional and authentic cuisines. So now it is Oaxacan instead of just generic "Mexican". Or Sichuan or Shandong instead of just generic "Chinese". Personally, instead of Tex-Mex that is drenched with an excess of cheese and refried beans, I prefer lamb birria or mole. And I do not shy away from cilantro.[/QUOTE]Chinese buffet in Europe have nothing to do with Chinese cuisine, usually in the different China towns you get real Chinese food, like in NY or Budapest, but it is not true for Chinatown in Paris where mostly Vietnamese and Cambodia people live. Easy for me to test I just need to speak mandarin usually they don t understand. Chines cuisine has a big diversity from the North in Harbin to the South in Guangdong or in the West with Sichuan.

This is becoming funnier by the day. Of course it is too little too late. The whole world should have banned the Asians, particularly the Chinese travelers, back in January 2020 or before, even before I suggested that on this board. But hey, the smart people said that would have been Xenophobic, some of you in USA even voted for a guy just last month who was saying that. Enjoy your isolated life forever, while I try to salvage my normal life with FKK girls from the mess of lockdowns that many of you still support. Wake up if you want to lead a normal life before you die in your basement.

NYT: Can Travel Bans Really Stop the Spread of Coronavirus Variants? Experts Are Skeptical ([URL]https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/22/world/europe/travel-bans-coronavirus-variants.html[/URL]).

We don't really say 'par excellence' in French, maybe you could say 'la creme de la creme'. I forgot Amsterdam in the list of the most beautiful cities in Europe but I think that right now my favourite one would be Krakow. I have to see Prague this year. Dubrovnik is beautiful too but technically it's a small city.

[QUOTE=TheCane;2514405]Vienna is the nicest city I have been to in continental Europe. Doesn't have the best mongering, but as a city it was "par excellence". Isn't that French? LOLOLOL![/QUOTE]Yes Vienna is beautiful and with brothels, when maisons closes were closed in Paris and escorts level fell, but Saint Petersburg is just wow, museum town and not only Ermitage, Peterhof is just wow, falling in Baltic, and what a models contest in streets, just wow for eyes, but better to speak a bit of Russian. Born, living and working daily in Paris for more than half century, even working at risk outside under covid since mid March, I don t stay in my bed close to heater, waiting to be paid by french government because I would lose too much money and my clients would not like delay, so I check and test risks for my teams before them, and still healthy and powerful according to my sporty climbing's Summer and what girls say: You fuck more than in 20's guys, when they feel something inside them, when having to be careful not to hurt them with most, so, beautiful cultural Paris is not so bad for my health, even too much traffic jam which daily stress me. And from France medical strategy, I won t get vaccine, so I will have to resist more than 10 years more, working in so risky Paris, being daily at risk, but when rider in mountains, happy to keep on being a warrior in Paris, Les Mureaux 78 , Sarcelles / Garges les Gonesses 95 , Saint Denis / Pierrefitte 93 , for good interesting experiences in my life, with no fear, but meeting one of the 2 women of my life, for six years together, first met in Sarcelles where she lived and worked, and anywhere we went together, all guys were looking at her, with her so beautiful face and little girl smile, even in famous restaurants on famous most beautiful avenue in the world Champs Elysées as called all over the world.