Expert: Ralph Salier - 9/23/2010

Question
QUESTION: If you were to come up with 10 reasons not to visit France
what would they be?

ANSWER: Well, that is up to the individual.  I personally have no reasons NOT to visit France.  Each culture is unique and has many pros and cons.  This is true for the French as well but that is no reason not to visit the country.  It is a very beautiful country with many historic and archaeological sites that are beautifully preserved, the culture is has many unique features including a Language Police that help to keep the French language "pure". And this has proven important in many ways. Did you know that because of the "purity" of the French language that it is often used in the writing of peace treatys?  Why? well in French each work can only have ONE meaning. Thus when a peace treaty is written in French, there is no equivocation as to its precise meaning.  Food in France and the wine they grow are quite exceptional.....

When I have visited France in the past, I did occasionally have issues with some of the cultural behaviors where, they have a certian distain for people from other cultures, especially Americans.  This can be viewed negatively but I view it as a challenge to get through, after all, my Euros are as good as any one elses. Besides, we have strong opinons about them as well, so who are we to decide?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The number of American tourists visiting France has
decreased:

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/08/29/decline-in-tourism-may-
be-a-blessing-for-the-u-s.html

Europeans have told me that the other euro-zone countries,
UK and Scandinavia has a decrease in American tourist well.

Moscow and St. Petersburg probably hand a decrease in
American tourist as well.




ANSWER: I'm not surprised.  With the weakened US economy, fewer Americans are traveling over seas.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Despite deals in Europe, Americans stay home:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38706058

Answer
The economy in the US is still struggeling.  Unemployment is still high and people are worried and are holding back.  If they do take a vacation, then it will be close to home where the dollar is not impacted by forigen exchange which at the moment would be worth 25% less with the Euro and on par with the Canadian Dollar (approx) and it is weak against many other currencies, in relative terms. When the dollar is strong, then people feel that they get their money's worth when traveling abroad. Now is a great time for Europeans and others to come to the US as see our sights like the National Parks and our wonderful beaches.