The Paris Greeters: Helping Dispell Notions of ‘Inhospitable Locals’
Travel Blog • Valerie Conners • 10.06.08 | 3:40 PM ET
Ignorant stereotypes, be damned! The Paris Greeters—a group of Parisians intent on showing foreigners that the French are, in fact, friendly—have been spreading warm fuzzies for tourists by providing free tours of the City of Light in nine languages, English included.
Said one volunteer guide, “I’ve always heard my American friends say things like, ‘Paris is wonderful—except for the Parisians.’ And I always wanted to do something about it.”
Turns out the French aren’t the only people trying to alter their bad rap: Similar organizations exist in New York City, Britain, Canada and The Netherlands.
Related on World Hum:
* Has Paris Become a ‘Backwater’?
* Paris Is ‘Still Paris’
Photo by Old Fashin’d via Flickr (Creative Commons).
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Valerie Conners is the senior producer and editor at World Hum.
