re: I was in Paris last year (March) three things surprised me

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You mean a bunch of people who have never left the Southeast have no idea what they're talking about? I'm shocked

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That's an illogical assumption. This message board is based primarily in the Baton Rouge/LSU community, but a lot of us post from all over the place.

I'm an LSU alumni and first started posting when I was in Baton Rouge. I go to San Francisco every year for a few days. I live in Pittsburgh, and have at some point lived in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. I'm preparing to set up a second residence in Marseille for a large project that should start later this year, and I'll probably be in Tel Aviv for a month before that.

I fly about 70,000 miles every year for work and in 2015 I lived for two months in Istanbul - a city that has dealt with a thousands and thousands of these refugees. I've seen, spoke to, and met some of them. I have a very good idea how educated people in Istanbul feel about this problem.

This crisis is not getting better. It's impacting politics, the social safety net, public safety, and the public perception of terrorism. What Istanbul is dealing with today will be a problem for many Western European cities in the not to distant future. This may not be an imminent threat like some are making it out to be, but it is a problem that a lot of Europeans I know (and work with every day) feel isn't being addressed as well as it should.

You should not be too dismissive. What some of these posters are saying about the future of Paris, Marseille, Istanbul, or Brussles may be hyperbole, but that doesn't mean there isn't a problem worth being concerned about. This is only the beginning of what will likely be a disturbing migration and ideological trend that will take place over the next century.

I was in London in 2015. Outside of Harrods was a pro Palestinian march that lasted hours. Thousands and thousand. I had just purchased cheese and charcuterie boards. Had to wait to have my picnic. There...now we both have our anecdotal stories out there.

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I have traveled more than anyone on this board, outside of maybe a couple. . .maybe

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Calling your bluff let's see your stamps

The lefts strategy to call anyone that disagrees with them hillbillies is amusing. You have no idea who is on this board, but are willing to bet you know about their travel habits. Because they are from the south? Man...talk about outting yourself as a bigot.

There are a lot of very well educated, very wealthy, and very well traveled people on this board. You know how I know we count can't you among them???

Oh Jesus fricking Christ

A fricking tourist has it all figured out.

When are you going to Caracas?

FAKE NEWS! I went a few months ago and they are everywhere.

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Harrods

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Place is insane eh?

Biggest in Europe. I think, department store anyway. I missed the death march everyone has been pretty calm whenever I'm there. Saw some prince walk up with 4 body guards and look at a £300,000 diamond encrusted lighter. I shite you not.

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1. All this talk of Muslims left and right. Sorry, didn't jump out at all for me.

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Yep, total myth. You'll see women wearing a headscarf at a little higher clip than in New Orleans or Baton Rouge, but not anymore than in New York or other major international cities.

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2. I knew the city was popular with tourists but it impossible to describe how flooded it is with everyone from Brits, to Russians to Japanese to Americans. Holy Moly, and this was in rainy and cold March!

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It's the most visited city in the word for a reason!

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3. I cannot speak for the countryside but in Paris I had absolutely no problem getting around with the English language.

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I guess I can't speak much for the countryside either, but other cities in France are the same. In general, the French have less of a chip on their shoulder about language than, say, French Canadians.

And the idea of Parisians being rude or hating Americans is silly too. Like any major destination city, the locals get tired of dealing with all inconsiderate tourists, but if you're not obnoxious, they won't be. The English honestly have more of an anti-american streak than the French, honestly. Which is not at all to say that people should avoid England, because they shouldn't.