La Réalité Bites
The Japanese are clinically depressed that Paris, in reality, is ill-matched to their romantic illusions of the place, says an Agence France Presse report:
More than a 100 expatriates a year are sinking into a state called "the Paris syndrome" which is characterised by feelings of persecution or suicidal tendencies, according to the mental health facilities of city hospitals.Part of their clinical depression stems from having to reconcile their romanticism about Paris with reality, psychiatrists said.
"Magazines are fuelling fantasies with the Japanese, who think there are
models everywhere and the women dress entirely in (Louis) Vuitton," Mario Renoux, the head of a French Japanese Society for Medecine was quoted as saying.After a relatively short period of only three months or so, Japanese immigrants expecting to find a haven of civilisation and elegance instead discover a tougher existence with many problems dealing with the French.
"They make fun of my French and my expressions", "they don't like me" and "I feel ridiculous in front of them" are common refrains heard by the doctors.
The need to forcibly express one's self to be noticed - seen as vulgar in Japanese society - and exposure to a humour sometimes seen as offensive adds to the unhappiness.
"However, not wanting to give up their Paris dreams, the patients refuse to go back to Japan," the newspaper noted.
Hi Amy !
This news story seems to keep coming back with (depressing ?) regularity. Every two or three years AFP updates its interview(s) by questioning a new individual, then re-releases a version of this very same story. These is at least the third one to my knowledge which speaks of alleged problems among the Japanese. There was one – at least eight or nine years ago, it seems to me – which asserted that living in Paris makes one mentally ill – rien que ça ! There were alleged interviewees and stats to "prove" it.
Don't pay attention to articles such as this – the writers are just jealous of all of us living in the most wonderful ville du monde !
L'Amerloque
L'Amerloque at December 19, 2004 2:12 PM
Living in Paris -- that's my kind of mental illness! Staying where you're unhappy out of some show that things are okay -- the height of culturally-based stupidity. I don't see Japanese people looking too miserable in the cafés I go! Hoping to get mentally ill (ie, to Paris) bientot!
Amy Alkon at December 19, 2004 4:34 PM