According to Le Point, a growing number of Japanese tourists in France suffer from Paris Syndrome, a psychological incapacitation, first identified 20 years ago by a Japanese psychiatrist, brought on by the gap between the fairytale of a city they were expecting and the reality of Paris once they’re there. What most distresses the Japanese is the behavior of Parisians, which they find aggressive, impatient, and rude. "After a first encounter with a gruff cab driver or a rude waiter at a cafe, they fall apart, in some cases requiring psychiatric assistance," according to the article. The Japanese embassy maintains a 24-hour hotline to assist the dozens of its citizens afflicted by Paris Syndrome each year. Americans, though, must be made of tougher stuff, since a recent survey found their overall impression of Parisians to be "unexpectedly" positive, with the majority describing les citoyens as "helpful" and "friendly." A special mention was made of their willingness to speak English. Sertl’s Note: I’m glad somebody finally acknowledged that the French now speak English as freely as the Scandinavians and Dutch always did. Thanks go to the younger generation, which figured out that speaking English leads to better jobs, often in London, and talking to tourists is a great way to learn.
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