Paris: Fact or Fiction? [QUIZ]

France is a country that pulls us in two directions: We both love to love it, and love to hate it.

On the one hand, we embrace the Parisian reputation of being a fine dining, fashion, art and architecture mecca. On the other hand, we constantly hear people complaining about how rude and snobby, stinky and disorganized the French can be.

I had the great privilege of living in Paris for two years: Once during my junior year abroad from Stanford, as an exchange student in 1992; then again in 2002, while I was writing a book. I just returned from a two-week long vacation in Paris this spring, 2012. The first week, I enjoyed a reunion with my six favorite classmates from the Stanford overseas program. The second week was a blissful belated honeymoon for me and the Love of My Life, Kiran (we eloped last September).

I've compiled this quiz/slideshow, with all photographs by my super talented husband Kiran Ramchandran (@KiranCreates on Instagram), to test your feelings on Paris: Rude or Polite? Fashion forward or behind the times? Culinary wonder or just so-so? I express my opinions. Now here's your chance to express yours by voting on each slide and commenting.

RATE IT!   |  

VOTE

No way, ce n'est pas vrai!

Oui, oui, this is reality

CURRENT TOP 5 PICK YOUR OWN TOP 5

USERS WHO VOTED

NEW! CREATE YOUR OWN SLIDESHOW

 

Follow MeiMei Fox on Twitter: www.twitter.com/meimeifox

Comments

[parisnoire]

10:13 PM on 04/15/2012

I lived in Paris for several years as well. I was literally adopted by my neighbors in Montmartre, who all seemed to be looking out for the "American girl with the backpack!" They were loving, and kind and I had the most amazing time of my life. Even years later, when I came back for a visit, they still remembered me. I believe that I left my heart there.

[see-ellen2001]

07:48 PM on 04/15/2012

Hard to find vegetarian food there though.

[mdehli]

09:20 PM on 04/13/2012

Prague is my "moveable feast", I suppose. I lived there as a Norwegian expat from age 21-24, and it was my first meeting with the old eastern bloc. It was also my first meeting with rude, smelly people. You actually learn to understand the rudeness and bad mood of people having their city taken over by Western/Northern Europeans and Americans. And if you're having a bad day yourself, it can actually be quite wonderful to be surrounded by other grumpy people. I find false smiles and obligatory happiness much more annoying anyways. The smell on trams and such is also something you get used to, but I don't have any arguments to defend that.

[MarcEdward]

04:13 PM on 04/13/2012

Italian food is better, the French aren't rude at all.
Maybe if people just learn some French and stop yelling English at them they won't appear rude.

[Jen Kramer Tate]

11:31 AM on 04/13/2012

So fun. Made me feel like I popped over to Paris before breakfast this morning!!