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In Paris, when you go out to eat, you get to play something fun called the waiting game. The rules are quite simple, the waiter dances around your table, without actually serving you, and you see how long you can last before you blow up. My personal record is somewhere in the 20 minute range. The payoff is you get to enjoy some of the finest cuisine in the world.

When you think American, you think cheeseburger, french fries, and baseball . Despite it being plain as jane in the name (like that?), I forget french fries are french, and are served with everything. I had some with mussels.

Best Shopping: Paris
Best Looking Women: London (Surprised? So am I)
Most Expensive: London
Best Tube: Paris (Each station is decorated differently, and all tickets (no matter where you are going is €1)
Best Landmarks/Museums: Paris, of course.
Best Hotel TV: Neither, you only get like 5 channels in both.

You want to know why Paris smells like piss? Because it is everywhere. I saw a guy do it on the tube. I did it myself (ohhh I feel so Parisian now!) in a shopping center late at night. There are no public bathrooms, so it is very hard to find one and then once you do it costs €.50 Take a cue from London and America and provide free bathrooms.

Bathtubs in America are very low, with the top of the tub reaching my knee. Bathtubs in London & Paris are about a foot higher (enough where i have to practically jump in).

Toilet = Bathroom. If I asked for a bathroom, I would get looks of confusion. I know they call it a loo, but I only ever saw signs that said toilet. The British use "To Let" for "For Rent" and when I saw these signs on buildings I had to resist the urge to write an "I" in there :)

Sortie = French for Exit (or something similar, used in the tubes). Speaking of exits, I find it interesting that in Paris & London they use the little white man running to a door on a green sign as an exit sign, but in America its white "EXIT" letters on a red background. I think we should adapt the global standard.

Taxes. They pay for public services the government provides right? Your lovely highways, parks, bomb squad, etc. So why make those who are just there to shop and go back overseas pay them? The European Union has figured this out wonderfully, and if you hold on to your reciepts (over £50 in London and &euro175 in Paris) they will actually refund the VAT at the airport on your way home. I think the US should do this. It works out better for everyone. I get my $12 back in taxes and spend it in the airport coffee shop anyway.

I have probably flown about 30-40 times in my life, so I think I can make a fair judgement. British Airways. is the best airline I've ever flown. I am flying "World Traveler" which sounds better than lowest class, but even my seat has a tv screen with 18 channels, like 15 radio stations (half of which play full cds like the new White Stripes & The Magic Numbers). You can also use your own, normal headphones (as opposed to the airline supplied $5 ones). The wine and alky bevs are free, and while other airlines are cutting costs by getting rid of peanuts, you even get a travel toothbrush, eye-mask, and meal. As opposed to other airlines that make me look at advertising on the trays, charge me for trail mix, and charge for headsets, British Airways impresses me. Add the pleasant british accent stewardess and 2 free nights in a 3 star hotel in London that came with their promotion and I actually feel I got more than my (mom's) moneys worth.