I’ve been to France also and didn’t quite like the place. It does help to parlez vous Francais a bit. Someone told me that if you don’t speak French or have forgotten some phrases, just speak to the French in your mother tongue (except English, of course!). Yes, that means Malay, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tamil, etc. They’re more willing to speak to you if you address them first in your mother tongue than English (don’t ask me why). When you’ve got their attention, then you ask whether they could speak English. A friend’s tip: Wait for the summer sales and go to Galleries La Fayette. You can buy designer bags at a fraction of the cost. But remember that wearing or using counterfeit LV or any other French made leather goods is illegal and you can be arrested.

If you have the opportunity, go to Eastern Europe – more beautiful than Western Europe. The people are friendlier too. Of all the European countries that I’ve visited, I like the UK, Germany, Switzerland & Slovenia the best. I miss the freshly made chocs in Belgium and Switzerland!!

fishtail: whoa you were lucky, pickpockets in rome and some other places in europe (at tourist attractions) are quite well known.