Comments on: A world of inspiration: The Hospitable Parisien http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien go explore. experience. and be inspired. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:04:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-1211 velvet Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:21:33 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-1211 Hi Debbie, Thanks for your comment. Best regards, Keith Hi Debbie,
Thanks for your comment.

Best regards,
Keith

]]> By: Debbie http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-1210 Debbie Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:24:02 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-1210 Great writing. My family and I had a great experience in Paris and the French countryside. Very nice people, contrary to what most say about the French. Thanks for sharing this piece. Great writing. My family and I had a great experience in Paris and the French countryside. Very nice people, contrary to what most say about the French. Thanks for sharing this piece.

]]> By: A world of inspiration: Amazing Thailand, Amazing People | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-1016 A world of inspiration: Amazing Thailand, Amazing People | velvet escape's blog Fri, 04 Sep 2009 02:44:49 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-1016 [...] A Hospitable Parisien [...] [...] A Hospitable Parisien [...]

]]> By: A world of inspiration: A Patchwork Quilt | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-972 A world of inspiration: A Patchwork Quilt | velvet escape's blog Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:48:02 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-972 [...] A Hospitable Parisien [...] [...] A Hospitable Parisien [...]

]]> By: A world of inspiration: A Confident Smile | velvet escape's blog http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-932 A world of inspiration: A Confident Smile | velvet escape's blog Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:47:47 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-932 [...] A Hospitable Parisien [...] [...] A Hospitable Parisien [...]

]]> By: Bill http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-914 Bill Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:06:40 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-914 It's been a few years since we were in Paris, but we had only good experiences with the people there. It made a difference, I'm sure that we weren't there at the height of tourist season, but mostly it was that we had learned a few phrases in French (something we try to do everywhere we go). Not much - just a few things to be polite and to make the trip a little easier. We always opened the exchange with French (hello, excuse me, can you help me). We found that when we did this, Parisiens were invariably kind. In a crepery, the propietor gave me lessons in "sweet nothings" to say to my wife. At a department store, a clerk gave me directions - one sentence in French, repeated in English, and so on. Everywhere we went. When I would apologize for my (truly) pathetic French, they would always say "At least you're trying". I can't recommend learning a little of the language enough. No matter where you're going. As for McDonald's..... well, the world is being homogenized. We've seen location sensitive versions of McD's and Starbucks as well as garish, out of place chains as well. What can you do? At our immersion school in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, it was nice to stop at the Starbucks before class. The people who worked there were glad to have a job, the building it was in was still a historic building and the local coffee shops weren't open that early. We try to shop locally when we travel, but it isn't a hard and fast rule for us - just a preference. Everyone has to make up their own mind about globalization and act accordingly. Good article , Ashley. It took me back. It’s been a few years since we were in Paris, but we had only good experiences with the people there. It made a difference, I’m sure that we weren’t there at the height of tourist season, but mostly it was that we had learned a few phrases in French (something we try to do everywhere we go). Not much – just a few things to be polite and to make the trip a little easier. We always opened the exchange with French (hello, excuse me, can you help me). We found that when we did this, Parisiens were invariably kind. In a crepery, the propietor gave me lessons in “sweet nothings” to say to my wife. At a department store, a clerk gave me directions – one sentence in French, repeated in English, and so on. Everywhere we went. When I would apologize for my (truly) pathetic French, they would always say “At least you’re trying”. I can’t recommend learning a little of the language enough. No matter where you’re going.
As for McDonald’s….. well, the world is being homogenized. We’ve seen location sensitive versions of McD’s and Starbucks as well as garish, out of place chains as well. What can you do? At our immersion school in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, it was nice to stop at the Starbucks before class. The people who worked there were glad to have a job, the building it was in was still a historic building and the local coffee shops weren’t open that early. We try to shop locally when we travel, but it isn’t a hard and fast rule for us – just a preference. Everyone has to make up their own mind about globalization and act accordingly. Good article , Ashley. It took me back.

]]> By: jessiev http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-903 jessiev Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:40:53 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-903 ashley - we've all been there, and so i commiserate with you on that one! sometimes it takes a while to get what we want. i love that you had such a wonderful conversation at the eiffel tower. and laughing at the bag of sugar! YIKES! hope things looked up - i can't wait to read more of your journey! ashley – we’ve all been there, and so i commiserate with you on that one! sometimes it takes a while to get what we want. i love that you had such a wonderful conversation at the eiffel tower. and laughing at the bag of sugar! YIKES!

hope things looked up – i can’t wait to read more of your journey!

]]> By: Ashley Bruckbauer http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-896 Ashley Bruckbauer Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:19:58 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-896 Thanks so much for all of the sweet comments! McDonalds does seem to be a trend in stories about the low-points of travel! Thanks to Keith for asking me to contribute. It was truly a pleasure and an honor. Best, Ashley Thanks so much for all of the sweet comments!

McDonalds does seem to be a trend in stories about the low-points of travel!

Thanks to Keith for asking me to contribute. It was truly a pleasure and an honor.

Best, Ashley

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-895 velvet Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:42:19 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-895 Haha, thanks Vera! Look forward to Ashley's contribution on the 24th! Cheers, Keith Haha, thanks Vera! Look forward to Ashley’s contribution on the 24th!

Cheers,
Keith

]]> By: Vera Marie Badertscher http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-894 Vera Marie Badertscher Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:31:24 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-894 Beautiful writing as usual, Ashley. And Keith--I'm jealous because you got her first! Ashley will be guesting at A Traveler's Library talking about the books that influenced her to shift her attention from Paris to China. Look for it on Monday August 24. I love the Paris story, and I recognize that hollow in the pit of the stomach feeling when it seems that travel was a really, really bad idea. Fortunately, something or someone generally helps us out of that pit. Beautiful writing as usual, Ashley. And Keith–I’m jealous because you got her first! Ashley will be guesting at A Traveler’s Library talking about the books that influenced her to shift her attention from Paris to China. Look for it on Monday August 24.

I love the Paris story, and I recognize that hollow in the pit of the stomach feeling when it seems that travel was a really, really bad idea. Fortunately, something or someone generally helps us out of that pit.

]]> By: Andy Jarosz http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-887 Andy Jarosz Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:20:07 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-887 Great story Ashley, and I admire your persistence in getting through your low point in Paris. I suspect anyone who has travelled alone has had that moment where your enthusiasm drops, and you wonder what you're doing there. (Funnily enough mine features a McDonalds too!) But I absolutely agree that the best thing to do is to get out and put yourself in the line of opportunity for an encounter with new people - it's the best way to lift your spirits. I look forward to reading your adventures in China! Andy Great story Ashley, and I admire your persistence in getting through your low point in Paris. I suspect anyone who has travelled alone has had that moment where your enthusiasm drops, and you wonder what you’re doing there. (Funnily enough mine features a McDonalds too!)
But I absolutely agree that the best thing to do is to get out and put yourself in the line of opportunity for an encounter with new people – it’s the best way to lift your spirits.
I look forward to reading your adventures in China!
Andy

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-891 velvet Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:17:30 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-891 Thanks Jen! Totally agree with you there. Cheers, Keith Thanks Jen! Totally agree with you there.

Cheers,
Keith

]]> By: jen Laceda http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-890 jen Laceda Fri, 14 Aug 2009 13:13:08 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-890 Ashley is an inspiration to anyone who wants to learn more about our human group through Art (or vice versa). Really, what is the best Art? --the ones that make an impact on our society and in our hearts :) Ashley is an inspiration to anyone who wants to learn more about our human group through Art (or vice versa). Really, what is the best Art? –the ones that make an impact on our society and in our hearts :)

]]> By: velvet http://velvetescape.com/2009/08/a-world-of-inspiration-the-hospitable-parisien/#comment-888 velvet Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:24:40 +0000 http://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=2235#comment-888 Thanks for your comment Andy. Funnily enough, I also have a similar experience featuring a McDonald's! I was in my teens and alone in Hong Kong. It was really exciting but as I walked around, I started to panic out as I couldn't understand a thing (everything was in Chinese) and I was starving. I felt miserable until I saw a McD's! I ducked into it, had my Big Mac and felt loads better! :-) Cheers, Keith Thanks for your comment Andy. Funnily enough, I also have a similar experience featuring a McDonald’s! I was in my teens and alone in Hong Kong. It was really exciting but as I walked around, I started to panic out as I couldn’t understand a thing (everything was in Chinese) and I was starving. I felt miserable until I saw a McD’s! I ducked into it, had my Big Mac and felt loads better! :-)

Cheers,
Keith

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