PRESENT POINT POWER

The Japanese with their strong yen have been flying around the world to spend them and more than a million visited Paris for it tourist attractions and charms promoted. But quiet a number encountered this “'Paris Syndrome' when they felt they are being rudely treated and had to seek medical treatment and return home. The ladies in their 30’s are vulnerable.

Compare to Malaysia, the rude taxi drivers would not shout at you but would fleece you with exorbitant charges for a short trip. Snatch thieves are also common in Paris so we are doing alright. The local restaurants would be ever polite to all Japanese visitors but they cannot stomach all types of food and our hygiene standards in the hawker fare would put them off. Seldom you find them at these “low standard” places but it is Ok for them in the Mac and KFC places Unfortunately, our historical attractions cannot be compared to France long history

Now what are the attractions in Paris?

(NB all images are enhanced for exposure in clarity)

The Eglise du Dome des Invalides - Napoleon's Tomb

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The well known Eiffel Towel= = == = = = == = == = = == = == = == = == = ==

The Egyptian Obelisk

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The Place de la Concorde

For a more detailed virtual tour, check the following

Outdoors, outdoor sports & nature:
Beaches, water sports, lakes & rivers (5)
Golf (1)
Outdoors (land) sports (21)
Parks and gardens (27)
Scenery and natural wonders (12)
History and culture:
Buildings and structures (73)
Education sites and libraries (20)
Historic sites (66)
Museums (102)
Sightseeing (102)
Entertainment and amusement:
Gambling (1)
Nightlife (156)
Performances (89)
Spectator sports (3)
Tours (22)
Zoo/aquarium (5)
Other:
Dining out (40)
Educational/learning activities (5)
Indoor sports and fitness (15)
Shopping (185)
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'Paris syndrome' makes some Japanese sick; December 24, 2006; from Newspaper Asis

FOR a handful of Japanese, visiting Paris can result in a culture shock so bad that they suffer mental breakdowns. Called the 'Paris Syndrome', it hits polite Japanese tourists who encounter unexpectedly rude Parisians or find that the French capital isn't all that

they expect it to be. The experiences can be so traumatic for some that they experience

Hallucinations, the BBC reported. 'There are around 20 cases a year of the syndrome and it has been happening for several years, ‘Japanese Embassy spokesman Miyupi Kusama told the Guardian. Just this year, at least four Japanese visitors have been repatriated and

accompanied by doctors and nurses for the trip because of the shock they suffer. The syndrome occurs because many Japanese come with a deeply-romantic vision of Paris, which they picture to have quaint cobbled streets, beautiful French women, and is filled with high culture and art. But the reality can be extremely jarring. For example, a Japanese visitor, who is not used to rudeness, can get hit by Paris Syndrome after an encounter with a rude taxi driver, or being yelled at by a waiter just because they stumble at speaking in French. Coming from a culture where people are generally polite and helpful, experiences like this in an alien country can be too much for a Japanese

visitor to handle. 'Fragile travellers can lose their bearings. When the idea they have of the country meets the reality of what they discover it can provoke a crisis,' Mr Herv Benhamou, a psychologist, told Le Journal du Dimanche. The syndrome was first identified by Professor Hiroaki Ota, a Japanese psychiatrist working in France, about 20 years ago. Most at risk are women in their 30s who usually have high expectations of

what may be their first overseas trip. 'In Japanese shops, the customer is king, whereas here assistants hardly look at them,' explained Mr Bernard Delage of Jeunes Japon, an association that helps Japanese families settle in France. '(In Paris), people using public transport all look stern, and handbag snatchers increase the ill-feeling.'

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'Paris Syndrome' strikes Japanese

Wednesday, 20 December 2006, 20:14 GMT

The reality of Paris does not always live up to the dream

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A dozen or so Japanese tourists a year have to be repatriated from the French capital, after falling prey to what's become known as "Paris syndrome". That is what some polite Japanese tourists suffer when they discover that Parisians can be rude or the city does not meet their expectations. The experience can apparently be too stressful for some and they suffer a psychiatric breakdown. Around a million Japanese travel to France every year. Shocking reality Many of the visitors come with a deeply romantic vision of Paris – the cobbled streets, as seen in the film Amelie, the beauty of French women or

the high culture and art at the Louvre. The reality can come as a shock. An encounter with a rude taxi driver, or a Parisian waiter who shouts at customers who cannot speak fluent French, might be laughed off by those from other Western cultures. But for the Japanese - used to a more polite and helpful society in which voices are rarely raised in anger - the experience of their dream city turning into a nightmare can simply be too much. This year alone, the Japanese embassy in Paris has had to repatriate four

people with a doctor or nurse on board the plane to help them get over the shock. They were suffering from "Paris syndrome". It was a Japanese psychiatrist working in France, Professor Hiroaki Ota, who first identified the syndrome some 20 years ago. On average, up to 12 Japanese tourists a year fall victim to it, mainly women in their 30s with high expectations of what may be their first trip abroad. The Japanese embassy has a 24-hour hotline for those suffering from severe culture shock, and can help find hospital treatment for anyone in need. However, the only permanent cure is to go back to Japan - never to return to Paris.