In 2003 no-culture Americans gave France a pass:

French tourism down in 2003
The drop is blamed on the loss of American visitors

U.S. visitors fell 18.3 percent to 2.4 million in 2003, when the dollar fell and relations between Paris and Washington soured over France's opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

That was a big blow because U.S. tourists spend more and stay longer on average than people from other countries, according to a report detailing the figures.

"The drop in American revenues was particularly pronounced. For more than 30 years, the United States has been the country that has been the most profitable for France in terms of tourism revenues," it said.

This precipitous drop follows an incredibly misconceived promotional campaign in which an American pedophile and a dead American editor for The Paris Review, et al., proposition no-culture Americans to "fall in love again" with France. Falling in love with France has since been recognized for the loser concept it is and the French Government Tourist Office has gone on to promote the French attractions of homosexuality and naturism, sure winners with Americans.

France is hot for no-culture Americans to visit and gawk slack-jawed at the prodigality of French culture.

If you had plans to gawk here, though, too bad:

The Eiffel Tower was closed Wednesday because of a strike by employees, disappointing tourists who had hoped to see Paris from atop its most famous monument.

The strike began Tuesday afternoon, when employees walked off the job in support of a colleague who was issued a disciplinary warning for work-related problems, said Isabelle Esnous, a spokeswoman for [Societe Nouvelle d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel,] the company that runs the tower.

At this time of year, Gustave Eiffel's 1,069-foot monument usually gets 15,000 visitors a day, said Esnous. "For tourists, there's no Eiffel Tower and that's very sad," she said.

Striking employees also were concerned that the tower's 25-year management agreement expires next year, Esnous said. The end of that agreement would not affect workers, so "we have trouble understanding these concerns," she said.

Or you can go here -- it's free with a bonus, you don't have to step foot in France.

UPDATE 09.16.04: The tempermental Tower workers deign to return to work.

Employees at the Eiffel Tower ended a strike Thursday that had shut tourists out of the popular Paris attraction for two days.

Workers had started the strike to support a colleague who received a disciplinary warning for a work-related problem. In a statement after talks, the tower operators said the man's case would be reviewed in three months. [The notorious French Unions apparently have no recourse other than declaring a workers' holiday.]

Many employees also were concerned that the tower's 25-year management agreement expires next year. [A non-issue, supra.]

The tower operators offered "apologies to tourists who were prevented from making visits," according to the statement.

Most everyone was inconvenienced. The workers' mission accomplished. It's back to scamming management and American yahoos.

As Stephane would say:

...and your point is?

The point, zoomeridiot, is that you turly are as dense as your posts make you out to be.

We 'Mericans are a driving force behind your tourism industry. While we are spending record amounts for tourism (above pre 9-11 totals) we are not gracing your backward little country with our presence.

And the point for me is that Mr Murphy is alive and well. Calling zoomeridiot an idiot and I typo truly. (Wasn't quick enough on the cancel button.) Time to go home and go to bed.

M. Zoomerx,

You cannot do better than M. Stéphane's cute trick? Why you two proud franchouilles want to advertise yourselves as witless, well, as I've said, that's your business.

Here's a clue, you are visiting a blog critical of French policies and attitudes. Let me know if you can figure it out from there.

If the posted topic is too opaque for you to meaningfully comment, please visit these nice folk. They speak French and just want your money.

DGB

we are not gracing your backward little country with our presence.

Right cannon. Fat, loud and unmistakingly recognizable, just like yourself ;-)

Speaking of backwards, how do you call millions of Americans who still visit France (and beleive me there are many), Freedum-haters ? So stay in your trailer-home (or your gated community), spend your dollars in Tijuana or Orlando, we don't miss flag-waiving pricks like yourself a bit. And if you think this is just in France, you're sadly mistaken.

Now seriously...

The fact is, Damian, that besides you silly knee-jerk "patriotic" boycott, tourism took a nose dive everywhere (9/11 and bad exchange rate), even in the US, and actually US tourism in Paris is slightly up. France is still doing very well as one of the top European destinations (perharps number one still), with or without Cannon's "graceful presence", thank you.

...flag-waiving pricks like yourself...
Posted by zoomerx at September 16, 2004 04:48 PM

M. Zx,

The above locution shows a nerve's been struck. So much for French sang-froid. If you intend to insult, can't you be clever about it?

Now I understand you've had to struggle with the point of this post. Perhaps with a careful reading you might've noticed this little French declaration:

"The drop in American revenues was particularly pronounced. For more than 30 years, the United States has been the country that has been the most profitable for France in terms of tourism revenues," [the report] said.

Apparently, M. Zx, you are the last Frenchman to take notice.

French tourism got a slight reprieve this year because du 60ème anniversaire du Débarquement. Don't look for us next year. Well, unless the earth opens and swallows Jack whole.

DGB

The above locution shows a nerve's been struck. So much for French sang-froid. If you intend to insult, can't you be clever about it?

When one of your flag-waiving lapdogs continues to call me a certain name (to which I didn't answer until now), my patience tends to run out. I'm only human, Mr. Damian...

French tourism got a slight reprieve this year because du 60ème anniversaire du Débarquement.

No, the debarquement events didn't make a noticable dent. Yahoo ran a story a month ago about a small surge in US tourism in Paris well after that. French tourism has been hit, no doubt about it, but it's been a global trend as well.

And Mr Damian, on the subject of boycott, I guess we could say "Rira bien qui rira le dernier"...

It seems that a large portion of patriotic Americans are more than willing to put their patriotism aside for a tighter waistline. At least that's a good start.

So Zoomeridiot, the lead paint eater comment got to you? Good. Because with as much paint you ingested as a child surely the effects of your stunted intelligence are starting to show.

Oh sorry you are objecting to the Idiot part of your name. Just being as dense as you are on most topics. On the other hand, if the dunce hat fits, wear it. My Zoomeridiot what an interesting profile you cut wearing that pointed hat.

Ah, yes. When all else fails, go back to the tried and true fatty rant. All you elitist Zeropeans disgust me. You pretend that you're more civilized but, in reality, you hate people who are different than you.

With all due respect to Damian, it's not that France promotes gay tourism or nudism. No, it is that they promote Anti-Americanism all over the world and in Europe, especially. The elites who run France makes no bones about going against the United States, are sympathetic to Islamic terrorists, anti-Semites and radical leftists. They hate those who believe in the liberty of the individual. The average individual is not to be trusted with responsibility, according to them. That is at the very core of their beliefs. An individual that is free and responsible is a threat to them because that individual won't be automatically obedient to thier wishes. The elites who run France also run the EU. The EU is slowly becoming a nightmare. Future American administrations must contend with this coming threat.

how do you call millions of Americans who still visit France

Leftists, folks who still believe in the romanitized myth about the country or do not know that there are better places to visit than one of the most Anti-American nations on the planet.

Cannon & ProFreedom, the two biggest morons on Pave, together! Did you two smell each other? Like s**t attracts a fly...

Oh sorry you are objecting to the Idiot part of your name.

That's fine Cannon. I have compassion for you, the same way we treat retards.

Ah, yes. When all else fails, go back to the tried and true fatty rant

Speaking of retards... If you don't like stereotypes:

a- what are you doing here?

b- do you read your own posts?

how do you call millions of Americans who still visit France

Leftists, folks who still believe in the romanitized myth about the country or do not know that there are better places to visit than one of the most Anti-American nations on the planet.

"Leftists"... I rest my case. You're truly a classic, Pro-Freedom. The Ugly American par excellence . As far as "better, "pro-American" places", I'm afraid they are dwindling fast, my friend.

btw, what's "romanitized"? You mean that Gaul was conquered by the Roman Empire? How could a moron like yourself know that? Oh... you mean "romanticized", of course. Sorry.

Friends of yours, Damian?

Zoomeridiot, you are truly a shining example of the health care system in frogland. It is obvious you are partaking of the cutting edge frog mental health care system. Nerves starting to get frayed a bit, zoomerchild?

You're so funny Cannon! What's your favourite TV cartoon?

Speaking of health care, ask you mummy to explain to me this since you can't seem to be able to explain anything without throwing a tantrum.

Zooomeridiot do you even *read* the articles you link?

As employers shift some of the insurance costs to employees, some are choosing to go without coverage. This choice was reflected in the fact that young workers between the ages of 18 and 24 were far less likley to have health insurance, with just 70.4% covered in 2002. Young workers are also more likely to have jobs where coverage is not an option. By contrast, 82.3% of 25-to-64-year-olds were covered. Among those over 65, coverage was a near-universal 99.2%, reflecting widespread Medicare coverage.

*GASP* We make CHOICES! Who'd thunk it? Those who are young and healthy making a choice that health care is a lower priority than other things in their life. They choose to spend their resources on other things in life. Oh wait a minute I am one of those who could spend money on private insurance, but I choose not to. Oh no!!! I'm gonna diiiiiiiiie as a result!!!

"Oh no I am a helpless frog who relies on uncle Jack to take care of all my needs in life!"

Damn zoomeridiot, not only are you a medical product of a socialist medical system your inability to think for yourself, instead relying on papa government to take care of you, shows you are a product of socialized government schools.

Hmmm let's see... The answer is for America to embrace socialism just like Canada, right?

Canada's once-proud public health system in crisis

OTTAWA, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Canada often boasts its universal health care program shows it is more caring than the United States, but the system is creaking alarmingly, with long wait lists for treatment, and shortages of cash and doctors.

And far from criticizing the United States, some people are choosing to go south of the border to pay for operations in private hospitals -- institutions that are forbidden in Canada by the law that set up the publicly funded system.

OH NO!!! When given a choice between free care and pay care people are chosing pay care.

Shall we continue Idiot?

"Meanwhile, financial pressures are increasing as our population ages, as medical knowledge...expands, and as beneficial but expensive new treatments become available," he told a top-level meeting designed to rescue medicare.

And the driving force behind these new expensive treatments? Government controls holding costs down? Hmmm? Nope. Oh I know, those damn uncaring capitalistic 'Mericans. Those bastards! Coming up with bleeding (pun intended) edge treatments making world wide medical knowledge expand. How dare we do that?!?

Ouchie Idiot. It's like a bad dream. It keeps getting worse and worse...

Statistics Canada said in June that some 3.6 million Canadians, or 15 percent of the population, did not have a regular doctor last year. This means hospital emergency rooms are flooded by people with routine problems.

Hmmmm glad to see social medicine means that people aren't turned away from care...

Oh maybe they couldn't actually get care...

Emergency rooms have to be used for routine problems? The horror of socialized medical inefficiencies. Ya know I thought Emergency Rooms were for oh I don't know... Emergencies. But what the hell, I am a fat loud balding 'Merican. What do I know?

The solution to this medical quagmire? Tighten the screws. More socialization!

Ottawa has in the past withheld health care funds to provinces experimenting with for-profit clinics and new federal Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh took up his job in July with a vow to "stem the tide" of privatization.

Yep Idiot your delusions show government schools and (mental) health care have left their marks on you.

What is the obsession on the part of Zeropeans concerning health insurance? It's like many other things in life: there are good plans and there are bad plans. People would have to shop for the best plan.

I have a plan right now. It's a choice that I made, considering my own issues. But others would prefer to be without one. More power to them. But Zeropeans and wacko leftists regard this health insurance thing as a "right". All that is is a tool to fool people. Force the average folks to get only the basics, then hope that they won't need any procedure the doctor recommends. Otherwise, they'll have to go elsewhere. Like you see those poor folks who have children born with their heads attached who are the recipients of the generosity of the specialists at the Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins or any other highly regarded medical facility (of course paid for by charitable contrubutions).

Is our system messy in certain areas? Yes. But it's interesting how the Zeropeans focus on every silly thing about us. As if they would be then excused for their own troubles by pointing at ours.

I'm more worried about the innocent American tourist who becomes a victim of a hate-inspired attack while travelling abroad than about the health system. France is one of the centers of Anti-Americanism.

More peace and love from the so-called closest ally.

It took 10 years to notice a discrepency between ticket inventory and receipts? My God, how does France stay solvent?

You pretend that you're more civilized but, in reality, you hate people who are different than you.

Take away the traditions of bigotry, and what's left to Europe? Its history vanishes.

Take away the traditions of bigotry, and what's left to Europe? Its history vanishes.

"Traditions of bigotry", Doug?

In your relatively short History, how many decades did it take to completely eradicate bigotry against your own citizens (you know, the "coloured ones")? Face it, in terms of being "colour-blind" societies, both continents don't have much to brag about.

victim of a hate-inspired attack

Ahhh... I feel "inspired" today. I think I will go and "attack" an American tourist! But not to worry, Pro-Freedom, there is always a good hospital in Paris should you be "attacked" by some angry Parisian waiter.

Have a nice day ;-)

Zoomeridiot it took us three centuries to get over the "colored" issue. How's that "Jooooooo" issue working for you all? Not too good I take it.

i Zoomeridiot it took us three centuries to get over the "colored" issue. How's that "Jooooooo" issue working for you all? Not too good I take it.

So mathematically speaking, you're still working on it. That's good, Cannon.

As far as "Joooos" are concerned, as you say so eloquently, it's not perfect but most are doing just fine, thanks for your heartfelt concern.

In your relatively short History, how many decades did it take to completely eradicate bigotry against your own citizens (you know, the "coloured ones")? Face it, in terms of being "colour-blind" societies, both continents don't have much to brag about.

You mean how long did it take us to form any significant distinction from our roots? Quite some time. Luckily, people flooded in from the rest of the planet to teach us something different than what we brought with us.

You'll need to recognize that bigotry is in no way constrained to color. It's catholics hating protestants, French hating English, Germans hating Jews; the plethora of prejudices that the tapestry of European history is woven from. Offhand I can't think of a significant event in European history that was not sired, or at least made significant, by the intolerance of group X against group Y, but admittedly I haven't put much effort into trying.

The flavor of the month is hating Americans. It's nothing new, it's just more of Europe being Europe; all that's changed are the target and the rationalizations required to sustain it. The thrust of Europe's bigotry is no longer focused inward, it's focused outward now. That sounds like progress, rock on, guys. If you can't unite behind anything else, demagoguery will have to do.

You'll need to recognize that bigotry is in no way constrained to color. It's catholics hating protestants, French hating English, Germans hating Jews; the plethora of prejudices that the tapestry of European history is woven from.

True but the US was no different in its beginings. During the first waves of immigration, there was tremendous racism directed at Italians, Irish, Chinese etc... coumpounded with segregation. You've certainly grew out of it (as Europe has), but it was there since the begining. In that respect, your white European roots are no different. You've also been spared of border conflicts, neighbour invasions etc, to your advantage and credit.

The flavor of the month is hating Americans. It's nothing new, it's just more of Europe being Europe; all that's changed are the target and the rationalizations required to sustain it. The thrust of Europe's bigotry is no longer focused inward, it's focused outward now. That sounds like progress, rock on, guys. If you can't unite behind anything else, demagoguery will have to do.

Oh, I wouldn't worry so much about Europe as I would of other, truly "anti-American" regimes. The problem is, many of them are "allies". It's better (and safer) to spew you hatred at "ennemies", such as France ;-)

Actually zooomeridiot I was referring to the 1960s as the watershed moment. (1660ish to 1960.)

Oh yes the joooooos are doing quite well in your country correct? After all what's multiple firebombed temples or torn up graveyards among truly enlightened civilizations?

Another thought about history...

If Frogland can be "enlightened" concerning capital punishment by abolishing it as recently as 1972 then surely the 1960s is ancient history.