Going to France tomorrow - SHOULD I BE WORRIED
 

So I'm visiting my girlfriend who's studying there for a semester. And it LOOKS LIKE France is experiencing some healthy riots, protests, sit-ins, birdflus, meteor showers and sulfuric acid rain that kills on contact.

Seriously, are these things worrisome? Am I in any sort of danger, especially since I'll be carrying a neon sign that flashes AMERICAN TOURIST every four seconds? I'll be in Caen.

:fishing:

You'll be fine. But I do recommend you pretend you're Canadian. I've found that works the best. Try not to take place in any riots while you're over there okay?

Also, French people are rather openly condescending to people that go to their country and don't speak a word of French. But don't worry, they'll still take your money.

Best advice? Find ^___^ and say hi. He'll help you out because he's cool.

Done and done.

PM Sass and ask her for advice?

Yes, you will die when your plane explodes like those kids in Final Destination.

Seriously . . . no? I really don't think that you'll have to pretend that you're Canadian.

You only say that because you are Canadian! :p

I was joking anyway. There's too many dipshit American tourists that make asses of themselves while in Europe, so any American tourist that can defy that typical stereotype should be encouraged to do so.

Or, you know, you can just be polite and respect the customs of wherever it is that you're visiting and not have any problems at all . . .

Long sleve shirts and pants. Also, dark-tinted glasses, and a hat of some sort.

I hear that in response to riots, riot police will often spray chemicals into the crowd, so you want to expose as little of your skin as possible. Also, don't forget to ditch the hat/glasses after you've bolted, so you don't look suspicous- ideally, you should be wearing a sweatshirt over a T-shirt with a huge red white and blue flag on the front, so you can drop the sweatshirt and look completely inconspicuious. (After all, why would a tourist be rioting?)

Remember: this may be your last chance to participate in a violent riot, so make sure you planahead and do it right!

No shit.

Thats where my family is from. There's nothing terribly interesting in Caen, save for some really old armories or forts, I think. We didn't do too much touristy shit - just showed up for dinner often. ^_^

The American and German cemetaries won't be far from where you'll be - and if you and your chick have time (like, a day), stop over at Mont-Saint-Michel. Its a really awesome place to visit.

As for the people - talk in French as best you can. They WILL laugh at you because you're American. Believe me. Try to be polite, and roll with the punches.

Enjoy the vast fields and pastures, by the way. And the shore line out there is pretty decent. A little rough, but you have the....uh, what do you call them....the place...where the water comes in....like locks....I forget the word. But awesome food.

You'll find you've never had anything as good as their butter over there. <3

Yes. I've always wanted to go there; I didn't realize that was near Caen. That's awesome.

Moth, I have two such T-shirts. I'll pack them both just in case. :tpg:

Don't tell them your american... trust me.. Most people think that that is just a rumor but trust me, don't tell them. Tell them you're british or Canadian... b/c last time i told them I was American at the hotel I was staying at, they stopped giving me room service shortly after.....even though they were giving me good room service before hand. Maybe it was just me or just that time but Meh... it has made me dislike my stays over there..

It's actually not very close. A few hours driving - it's in Brittany - another region. But its WORTH the drive, man.