Under Anne Hidalgo – mayor for 12 years until last week – the French capital added bike lanes, cut traffic and reclaimed public space, but not without resistance
To be fair, non-Parisian French also hate them. I will always remember my first trip to Paris, I was like 17, never really been to a big city before. I stepped out of Gare de l’Est, completely overwhelmed, so I asked an old lady who was walking her dog where the bus stop I was looking for was. Without missing a beat, she kindly told me to fuck off. Delightful.
Although in her defence, they must have 1000s of scams to dodge on a daily basis so the fuck off approach is probably their default.
But still, even the French hate the French, especially if they’re from Paris.
To be fair, non-Parisian French also hate them. I will always remember my first trip to Paris, I was like 17, never really been to a big city before. I stepped out of Gare de l’Est, completely overwhelmed, so I asked an old lady who was walking her dog where the bus stop I was looking for was. Without missing a beat, she kindly told me to fuck off. Delightful.
Although in her defence, they must have 1000s of scams to dodge on a daily basis so the fuck off approach is probably their default.
But still, even the French hate the French, especially if they’re from Paris.
I’m aware. you’ll notice I said Parisian people, not French people