Category: Paris

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Paris Attacks

Pray for Paris. Instagram.com (2015). PD-Common Property. Wikimedia Commons.
Pray for Paris. Instagram.com (2015). PD-Common Property. Wikimedia Commons.

First of all, Sandy and I would like to share our deepest sympathies for the victims, their families, and the citizens of Paris and France. The events that unfolded last evening in Paris were horrific and will again, act as a reminder of a war engulfing our world. The fact that eight twisted individuals (that’s the number of assailants being mentioned at this time by official sources) can bring a city like Paris to its knees is extremely disturbing to me as I hope it would be to you. For those of us who experienced the days of 9/11, this is certainly a déjà vu experience—at least it is for me.

I am encouraged by the response of the international communities and their leaders. The number one responsibility of a government is to keep its citizens safe. David Cameron, the Prime Minister of England, has made the statement “We in the UK face the same threat.” He is spot on. It will happen again.

Paris and its citizens will bounce back just like we did following the attacks in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania more than 14 years ago. It will take time. Let’s hope these attacks and the ultimate sacrifice of the victims do not get forgotten. Let’s also hope the global community responds in ways that will eradicate the poison that flows through the blood of these groups responsible not just for this horrendous episode but other acts of atrocities being perpetrated around the world (the recent beheading of a nine-year-old child in Afghanistan is only one of many, many examples).

Sandy and I adopted Paris many years ago and it pains us to see these events unfold in the city of lights. We visited New York City four weeks after 9/11 (our son was a student at Columbia University). We could see the stunned look in everyone’s eyes. The makeshift memorials brought on tears. The sacrifices were staring you in the face. That will happen in Paris.

Yes, we visited New York City that weekend in October 2001 to see our son. But it was also a trip to help support the city at a time when they needed to show the world that things can not come to a complete stop because of the actions of a few.

Sandy and I are looking forward to visiting Paris soon.

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Copyright © 2015 Stew Ross

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The Pee Ladies of Paris

I like to maintain traditions as much as the next person—remember Tevye singing “Tradition” in the movie Fiddler on the Roof? A tradition in Paris is about to become extinct—all in the name of “progress.”

Well, one of the traditions—or should I say, experiences—was being in the men’s public bathroom while the female attendant waited for me to finish so she could tidy up the place after I left (and collect her half a franc). Imagine the impression this made on a ten-year-old American boy living in Europe over fifty years ago.

Urinal Cross-Sales

Madame Pipi – A toilet lady. Photo by Yves Lorson (2006). PD-Creative Commons Attribution 2.0. Wikimedia Commons.
Madame Pipi – A toilet lady. Photo by Yves Lorson (2006). PD-Creative Commons Attribution 2.0. Wikimedia Commons.

These Paris toilet ladies or as they are affectionately known, “dames pipi” or pee ladies, are about to be dismissed by the government in favor of a Dutch company called 2theloo (cute name, huh?). You see this company has developed a new automated toilet technology. What it really flushes down to is cross-selling toilet products. Yep, the dames pipi are expected to follow me to the stall, be able to speak multiple languages, and sell me stuff like toilet paper and tooth-brushes. Their traditional cleaning responsibilities seem to have taken a back seat to cross-selling toiletries. Read More The Pee Ladies of Paris