Parisians ashamed of being from Paris
By dorotix, October 26th 2009 in Travel News Comments (10)
Considering their reputation of the world's most aggressive, unpleasant, and unfriendly people, it is hardly a surprise that Parisians try to hide they are from Paris. Recently the France Info radio has advanced a thesis that Parisians are actually ashamed of their local identity. How is that possible? Apparently, Paris, the cultural iconic capital of France, is considered by both the French and visitors to be pervaded with the most stressed and arrogant people in the entire country, if not in the world.
The whole affair came to light when the French authorities decided to introduce new license plates that displayed the symbol of the country's departments, and not only the number of the department as previously. Moreover, the French can now choose any department they like- it does not have to be their actual place of residence. It soon turned out that the residents of Paris preferred to choose plates other than Parisian ones. As a result, the number of Parisian plates has declined by 60% since April 2009!
The Parisians claim that they do not feel welcome in other regions of the country and they are often treated with prejudice or discrimination by the French living in different departments.
The decline in license plates has also been reported in Hauts-de-Seine department near Paris. It is a place where the richest people in the country live. Also many residents of Seine-Saint-Denis, one of the poorest departments near Paris, have decided to hide their place of residence, as "bad address" often makes it difficult to get a good job.
Guess where the number of license plates has gone up then? These would be the southern departments of the country such as Bouches-du-Rhône (Marseille) or Haute-Garonne (Toulouse).
Do you think Parisians deserve such a bad reputation? Is it really so bad or are they just being a bit paranoid?
Ashamed, not, it's much more complex than that. Being Parisian is really nothing to be ashamed of, and I've never heard anybody from Paris claiming so, quite the opposite. Disclaimer: I'm French, born in Paris and raised in Nantes, a much more relaxed city. However, there is a sort of teasing going on between Paris and the rest of the country, which goes both ways. At times, there could even be some subtle tensions, albeit nothing serious.
My second - much more insightful - paragraph could not be sent. Please advise.
I agree with Jérôme. I have lived in Paris for three years. There is also another explanation to the decline of Parisian plates: many people living in Paris are not Parisians; they just happen to live there because that's where the jobs are. What better way to show your attachment to your home than displaying your home departement number on your plate?
Ah, that's what I wanted to say
) No idea why the paragraph wasn't accepted.
I definitely agree with Jerome and effisk's arguments. I've been living in Paris for 10 yrs and I feel very lucky and proud. It is really a special place to live...
For you unexpected traveller, I felt sorry when I read your blog article because there are so many ways to enjoy every minute passed in this city, especially if you're here for a short period of time... Actually, Notre Dame is THE most touristic area of France. Honestly in most countries I've visited, having a drink surrounded by fellow-toursits has never rimes with pleasure. Tenders and workers in these places are in nothing representative of the rest of the people. You should advise your readers to have cafés 2-3 blocks away from the main monuments if they want to feel the real Paris. It works for any wity I guess
I've been to Paris. MOST people were very rude, honestly. If you aren't french, get out. Sure, it is a lovely town, but people were not helpful and they were rather cold. I met a few nice Parisians aka people living in France, but most waiters, hosts, retail workers were not helpful.
This is really news to me! I couldn't imagine anyone being ashamed of being perceived as Parisian. Great article as I was totally unaware of this phenomenon.
I think it is a fantastic city and everyone was kind and beyond helpful to me, but I suppose that everyone has their own unique experience wherever they go. I will say that I believe that more often than not, we are treated the same way that we treat others. To get respect, you must give respect....it's the golden rule, no more, no less.
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I have been extremely fortunate to travel to Paris and the rest of France many times. I have always found waiters, taxi drivers les concierges etc., in fact everyone I've ever met to be really helpful, kind, funny. You get the picture. I don"t understand people who diss the French. Maybe they have a very visible chip on their shoulders and their hostility shows. The French are perseptive, They recognize a--holes. I love Paris. I love France. I can"t wait to get back.
This is just a theory but I think it's pretty sound.