European capitals are popular destinations for those in need of a quick and easy getaway, but some are gaining a reputation for being unfriendly and unwelcoming
Brits looking for a quick escape often flock to European capitals, with their convenient access by plane or train making them ideal for a cheeky long weekend. However, some of these cities are developing a bit of a bad rep among travellers for being unwelcoming, filthy and even unsafe.
One city, in particular, has been catching flak from British tourists, despite its reputation as the quintessential spot for a lovey-dovey getaway. Paris, the city of lights and love, has come under fire with Brits on Reddit dishing out some harsh critiques.
READ MORE: ‘Wonderful’ digital memorial can help grieving loved ones through ‘difficult time’
A user going by the name ExplanationWorried14 didn’t mince words, describing Paris as dirty and its inhabitants as “unbelievably rude”. They recounted an incident where a simple ‘merci’ was met with a scowl: “I said ‘merci’ when someone actually stopped at a crossing and he looked angry and shrugged like I was an idiot.”
Their experience only worsened from there: “Some school girls sang a song about me being an English whore, despite me wearing a long, flowing hippie dress that in no way revealed any flesh and I felt unsafe.
“Got followed by two men near the Louvre. Would never go back. I don’t know why people say it’s romantic… I guess those people are into some weird stuff.”
Another Redditor, Mister Pink, chimed in with concerns about crime and costs: “Lots and lots of crime very visible all around in the form of pick pockets and con artists. Very expensive and the Parisians generally were pretty rude.
“At least when you go to the nicer bits of London for food the area tends to be quite nice to match the outrageous prices.”
Other renowned European cities didn’t escape criticism either, with Reddit users giving them a resounding thumbs down, reports the Express.
Brussels was labelled as having a “pretty grim vibe”, while Rome – forever linked with La Dolce Vita – was accused of being rife with “scammers and gropers”.
Despite these critiques of Europe’s famed city of love, it still managed to attract some 25.9 million visitors last year.
And that figure is expected to climb, especially after Paris hosted the 2024 Summer Olympics.