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Paris Stresses Japanese Tourists

The sad fact of Japanese working life is they're lucky to string together a week's holiday every few years, so when the good people of Japan get the chance to travel, they want it to be good (and photographically memorable). Many Japanese dream of romantic holidays in Paris but have their dreams shattered when it doesn't quite meet their high expectations.

And that's why Paris syndrome exists. At the moment, about a dozen Japanese a year are struck by this psychological reaction to their less-than-perfect experiences in Paris. Some of the problems arise because:

People using public transport all look stern, and handbag snatchers increase the ill feeling.

The worst cases of psychological scarring have included a pair of women who thought their rooms were bugged, and another who was certain she was being attacked by microwaves. All this when some French are making a big effort to make friends with foreigners. Of course the best way to avoid this syndrome is simply to stay home, or at least to travel with lower expectations. So anyone headed to Paris soon: the Eiffel Tower's only 2 storeys high and genuine croissants taste terrible. Now you're well prepared.

[Photo: mindync]

Related Stories:
· Paris Leaves Japanese Tourists Ill [The Australian]

· Makin' French Mates [Jaunted]