I just received a newsletter from the city that's pimping a "great" way to see Paris..
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Seriously folks: don't do it! Barelling down the sidewalk wearing a helmet and a reflective vest is not the way to make friends with the locals.
Parisians will not look upon your SUV version of walking as "innovative." They will be thinking "fatlazyamerican" or whatever that translates as in French.
"But the people in the brochure look so happy!" you say. Don't be fooled - these people are models. Real-life users of Segway have pies thrown at them. Dogs poop purposefully in their path. Batallions of baguette-waving and under-employed youth chase them wherever they go.
You've been warned.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Friends don't let friends drive Segway
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14 comments:
I concur. Every time I see an idiot riding a Segway (because riding a Segway turns you instantly into an idiot), I just want to kick them, especially if they're on the sidewalk...
One day, if I'm in a very bad mood, I may just do it, so if you're reading this and contemplating that tour, be warned.
You're right: "fatlazyamerican" is exactly what's crossing my mind when I see people riding Segway.
I own one and the only thing I can't stand is OTHER Segway riders, especially the ones that feel the need to be photographed all cutesy and thumbs up (lol @ dork in picture). We need licenses for them, because in the event I want to use one in some other city, I can't because it's a tour-group. Ick. No thanks. Leave me and my vehicle alone.
It ranks right up there with not wearing Crocs in Paris. They might be comfortable, but they make you look like an idiot.
-Anonymous, do you mean that there are places in the world where wearing crocs doesn't automatically make you ridiculous and not worth of any respect?
-Eric Rice, you're funny with your "it's other Segway riders that are stupid but not me"...
Er ... David - I think you might want to be careful who you kick. In parts of the Canary Islands, the police use them because they are ideal for patrolling pedestrian tourist areas and by the beaches :)
However, they are pretty much the only people I've seen who don't look a bit silly on them. They could catch on though.
As to the main part of the post (I knew I'd get to the point eventually) - yes, you're right, to my mind it's absolutely the wrong way to get to know the "real" Paris, or anywhere else.
They have Segway tours in Washington DC, too. I didn't do it when I was there (I'm way too cool for that...I think), but I did see a one group of Segway tourists. They did look dorky, but I think it was only because they were in a pack, following their fearless leader. Maybe just one Segway at at time would be acceptable?
LOL @ David. You might be surprised with the crocs thing. Filipinos love those ugly shoes.
The do guided tours of Girona in Spain by Segway. Watching a group of tourists whizz down the street lacking any dignity is amazing.
Crocs are quite ugly but very comfortable shoes actually.
peace.
During a recent summer that I spent in Paris; visitors (notice I dont admit that they are 'friends') I will preface that by saying that they did the segwey tour after having been out at a club until 6AM - and were up an hour later to be on time for their 8AM tour. (I was working at the time and didnt participate in the clubbing nor the segweying).
Picture this - those black poles that go waist high and protect the sidewalks from cars being able to get in ... well my friend in her hungover attempts to ride something that requires minimal balancing skills - hit one of those poles and proceed to go back and forth - hitting the one in front and then behind her about fives times before she could save herself.
The image of this alone was repayment for their dallyances the night before.
Grossemoul is the french equivalent of your fatlazzy :-)
I don't know why people seem to think this sort of behavior is acceptable in DC. It is not.
I guess everybody who made a comment here is below 40. I will tell you a secret: when you grow up you stop carring so much what other people think about how you look or how cool you are and you simply do what suit you and what seems fun.
This is freedom.
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