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Parisians all love South America. There is no exception to that rule.
The definition of South America for Parisians is simple. South America is anything South of America. The existence of Central America is not a relevant question in Paris. The actual existence of several countries within South America is already bewildering enough. All Parisians know that South America is colourful, authentic and happy. Very little differentiation ought to be made between Guatemala and Peru.
During his student years, it is customary for the Parisian to take a trip to South America. ‘A l’aventure’. Going to South America without a backpack would be considered in Paris very poor travel standards. One is to backpack in South America. Backpacking for the Parisian includes travelling with a backpack and ‘des bonnes chaussures de marche’. And sleeping in hotels.
Returning from a trip to South America, the Parisian will systematically say it was ‘genial’. He will have a word about ‘les couleurs’. And ‘les gens’. Though obviously, it was ‘un peu roots’. For sure, it was.
Most Parisians have a friend from South America. Those who don’t wished they did. South American friends bring light-heartedness and a Spanish accent to Parisian parties. These are key to a good party. Light heartedness is a quality Parisians love in people from South America and Belgium. They admire it in English people. And they despise it in people from France or America.
The only negative point Parisians sometimes mention about South America is ‘la violence’. Parisians all have a friend who got mugged in Brazil. Yet, Parisians’ love for South America is here to stay. For ultimately, the Parisian love for South America is a typical form of Parisian love, made of an authentic appreciation for qualities the Parisian wished he had and a comfortable feeling of insuperable superiority over the subject of his love.
Useful tip: Go to Argentina.
Sound like a Parisian: « J’ai trop envie de me faire un voyage en Amérique du Sud…».
Tags: Americas, Argentina, South America, travel, voyages
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I want to spend a month traveling through South America and then another month in Argentina. Does that prove I am a Parisian? Will the French consulate now give me permanent residency. Le sigh!
Parisians’ trip in South America is ultimately close to the movie “The Motorcycle Diaries” with Gael Garcia Bernal as Che Guevara (wich they saw with subtitles, obviously).
Shouldn’t the Parisian sentence be “j’ai trop envie de me faire un p’tit voyage en Amérique du Sud…” ?
LBR… Not sure, but I believe Argentina is in South America! I’d give you residency sans problème. But being a Parisian is hardly something one can acquire I’m afraid!
Bien vu!!
Thibaut… true!! Bien vu!! Super film néanmoins!
Pierre… Si, carrément
Really? I thought the “South America includes Mexico” thing was only of US-American ignorance. Btw, many Mexicans are offended by that, but oh well. It’s different with Europeans though. Because when a Mexican sees US-America as ignorant, all South of America is colorful, and a Parisian just knows better. No? haha.
Yes, I have had Parisians ask me when I’d last been “en Amérique”. For anyone who lives in America north or south of the US, this is rather an absurd question.
My closest South American friend in Paris has a Portuguese accent, as he is Brazilian.
I do know many Parisians who are not so ignorant, but they are associated with altermondialiste assos such as La Maison d’Amérique latine.
And Porteños (citizens of Buenos Aires) are perhaps the only people on earth who can outdo Parisians for a sense of superiority.
Parisians all love South America,because South America is very nice!
Hello!!
well, I’m from South America(Ecuador), well i don’t want to be impolite, but Argentina is in South America, Mexico is a latin country but isn’t in South America. North America isn’t only USA, are other two country more: Canada and Mexico.
Isn’t only the “parisians” people to think that South America are colors, nice people, and smile all the time. Well that is a stereotype is true that South America has history of been welcome and charming people, but not everyone is like that. Im from Ecuador but im REALLY serious people, don’t laugh a lot, and cold person. actually during my exchange year in Belgium, my friends from Germany and Japan were more warm that me… isn’t about nationality is about personality. Actually anyone from Argentina can outdo Parisians for a sense of superiority but the difference the feel for been from Argentina, doesn’t matter the city, ALL as country is superior, Parisians think only they are superior not the whole country.
And not only Argentina is South America, they are 12 countries…all different and rich in culture
Hello!, I am form Argentina, I only wanted to say that not everyone in my county is arrogant and feels superior to the rest of the world, there is people like that like there is in every conuntry, I totally dispise arrogant people who are not humble or kind. I really like people from south america, I had the pleasure to know lots of people in a hostel in Mar del Plata. The kindest one was a parisian, he gave free french lessons and he showed us how to take good pictures, (he was a photographer). There were also a lot of spanish pepole!.
So, concluding, I think we should’t prejudge people, but I understand why Helena said that form my own experience.
I started reading your blog today, and it’s grat, sorry for my english, years of study didn’t change my poor writing (I posted this a little late:)