There are great posts here with advice I plan to use next time I spend that much time and money to experience other cultures. Thank you.

I do wonder though, in the case of Paris, what that was all about. I took a French class, was dressed like the locals, and am always polite. Extremely polite. Could it have been I was trying too hard so I had a rookie vibe? I wanted to love Paris, I invested a lot of time, energy and money that I'd saved... but she left me feeling like a scorned lover.

The only place I could get someone to respond to me was Montparnasse. An older gentleman smiled at my bad French and said he appreciated that I was trying, then graciously pointed me in the right direction. An American woman in a grocery store told me where I might find gluten free foods, no easy task when you are being snubbed. Everyone else ignored us, especially when we were looking for friends at a club. We could not get served.

I worked for years as a bartender and server in NYC, another city formerly known for being less than friendly, and would not have ignored someone with an accent asking for a drink or food. Especially, I would not have mocked them.

It was possibly the strangest week of my life. I was waiting for someone to say, "just joking! We are only teasing you. You're on candid camera!" That would have been a good one too, an idea for Punk'd maybe.

Yeah, I can't let it go. This article just reminded me of it.

Still wondering former Francophile,

e.m.

I hear what you are saying, but I cried when I heard this ruling. It's just nice to know that my friends have the same 'rights' (or right to be miserable?) as the rest of us. One couple I know got so tired of using the words commitment ceremony and partnership that they just gave up and put it on hold.

It's may be semantics to some, but I'm happy for all.

DurianJoe's post answered my questions.

SuznMaree,

I did try too hard and know now not to travel unless I have the funds and can relax. If I am fortunate enough to have another chance, I'll stay with a friend who lives there and avoid the language blunders.

Is "sweetie" condescending?

Sometimes.

Using a microscope for every word is too much though.

I have Celiac Disease. It's not an option, but thanks anyway.

"I just Googled "gluten free France" and got many hits." Yeah, me too. I did the homework, the reality was different. I've admitted that it was my fault, I tried too hard, was having trouble getting meals that were safe, and my French sucked.

It's surprising, the vitrol in these posts. Everyone has different experiences. I see a post like DurianJoe's (and a few others), and I bother to read them, because they push the dialogue along and that's interesting.

To dterry:

I can't help noticing that in your posts, you seem to take pleasure in belittling others to prop yourself up. I come to Salon every so often for the interesting banter and ideas, but the fact that you mock these articles and posts with your Doctor friends over dinner is telling. I would think that someone of your self-satisfied intellect would have better things to discuss than Salon.com.

I am not a psychologist but I suggest you visit one of the "highest paid doctors in San Francisco" soon.

"And is anyone taking bets that the "broad" with the "fat ass" spit in his food?"

Count me in.

Traister, a racist?

welcomerain, are you serious? We all know that there is no shortage of racists, xenophobes, bigots, and zealots, and it is a problem everywhere you go. Even when you are furious, you've got to know that Traister isn't one of them.

If it had been Thrasher (GThrasher) posting that, I'd have passed and not even peeked at it, because in his illogical mind, everyone is called privileged and racist because they are trying to keep blacks down. That's an excuse, projecting all blame on strangers who he assumes fit some type that has been manufactured in his head.

I am just surprised at all the attacks against the writers every time I check an article here. They seem kind of personal and over the top, as if you are looking for reasons to pounce and mock. If you don't like a piece someone has written, is it necessary to fight so dirty?

greenbriar wrote: "In about 5 hours, the cubicle crowd is going to tear you apart." I'd have to agree with this, but it makes no sense for people to attack in these threads. Here's an open letter to that angry mob:

To the begrudgers, the 'cubicle crowd' and readers who prefer oranges,

Mr. Tennis has apples for the reader. They are not ordinary apples, but imaginative, technicolor, visionary... and especially, compassionate apples. There are loyal fans and many folks who come here for the apples. If you like oranges, go to Ann Landers, Miss Manners, or even Hints from Heloise. Storming the gates of Salon threatening and ranting and demanding oranges only makes you seem lost, like you took a wrong turn on the information superhighway and forgot who or where you are.

And you seem really pissed and kind of bitter every time you post.

Once you realize how completely lost you are, why post to rail on someone who is writing in a style you don't seem to understand? No one here minds that you only enjoy oranges, but you really are missing the point.