Ne pas déplacer ce message dans la rubrique "voyager en santé"
Pour rappel :
Le suffixe "ose" vient du grec et signifie maladie
Le suffixe "ite" signifie inflammation
Les grands thèmes de "pensées et réflexions" provoquent dernièrement un nouveau type de pathologie virtuelle.
Il est mis en évidence la claviose-digitus . Celle-ci se traduit par une frénésie incontrolable des doigts tapant de longs monologues à une cadence qui raviraient les chefs des pools de dactylos d'antan.
La claviose se complique facilement de sinistrose tant le sujet s'éloigne du thème du voyage.
La sinistrose en tant que complication entraîne chez le patient une ragite réactionnelle, variante d'une psychose atténuée de type obsessionelle:tac-tac-tac, je réponds, tac-tac-tac, je réponds.
La ragite a elle seule se traite aisément dès qu'elle n'est plus alimentée.
De nombreux patients étant hélas aussi atteints de culturite, le problème devient grave.
La culturite induite par Maître Google et Monsieur Littré consiste en un étalage de connaissances pharaoniques destinées à ébahir le lecteur. Il n'y a plus de débats possibles et courtois, chacun des patients ne se sachant pas malade.
Tous ces maux :ragite, culturite, sinistrose, claviose-digitus conduisent droit à l'overdose bien connue.
Le forum espace de discussion immobile ne peut pas se transformer en agora, espace antique ou chacun avait plaisir à se rencontrer.
Imaginons 66OOO membres réunis ensemble dans l'agora avec comme fil directeur : honte à ma banlieue, colonisation, planète 2O70.
De quoi devenir agoraphobique
Il y a aussi la commentite, qui consiste à commenter à l'infini la façon de contribuer des autres forumeurs plutôt que de contribuer réellement. Symptômes : facheuse tendance à médicaliser l'opinion des gens, posture mégalomaniaque "au-dessus de la mêlée", humour foireux.
Pourquoi le prendre ainsi ? J'ai fait partie de ces personnes lors d'une de ces discussions et je prends plutôt cela pour une forme d'auto-dérision pour détendre l'atmosphère...
Contribuer à quoi ? Aux réfléxions de voyageurs ou aux maux que la société ne parvient pas à gérer ? Parce que j'ai l'impression que la rubrique ne traite plus que du second sujet depuis un moment... Et que cette rubrique part sans cesse en live... Un peu d'humour " foireux " ne fait strictement aucun mal par rapport aux propos extrêmistes que l'on a pu lire... Ou je dirais à la place... Au rythme où les discussions se dirigeaient... 😕
Je viens d'apprendre que tu es une mégalo à l'humour foireux... Il faut vite que j'aille voir dans le dictionnaire les mots mégalo et foireux, on a dû en changer la définition ! Et puis je chercherai le mot humour aussi, mais peut-être n'est-il plus dans le dictionnaire ?
Quelle idée aussi as-tu d'innover sans cesse ? Tu perturbes les "âmes sensibles" ! Dommage pour elles mais tu peux continuer à nous régaler avec tes petites perles piquantes et dissonnantes parce que nous, les autres (les pas sensibles sans doute -ah bon ?), on aime....
Dolma
un chemin et la caresse du vent, alors je pars en voyage...
Pourquoi le prendre ainsi ? J'ai fait partie de ces personnes lors d'une de ces discussions et je prends plutôt cela pour une forme d'auto-dérision pour détendre l'atmosphère...
Je pense que tu n'étais pas visée par Nakata, la cible de son post caustique et pertinent étant, à mon avis, l'inititiatrice de la discussion.
Mais oui, Nakata sait faire preuve d'humour.
Dis-moi ? comment traduit-on dans ton vocabulaire médical, cette tournure d'esprit qui ne conçoit l'esprit critique que dans son coté négatif ? Une borgnose du coeur ?
Et cette souffrance terrible qui pousse irrésistiblement dés qu'un tiers témoigne à un participant son émotion ou son admiration à poster immédiatement un texte visant à détourner l'intérêt vers soi et à rechercher des bravos . Une enflite des chevilles ?
Et enfin cette tendance à lire les topics qui agacent juste pour exprimer son aigreur ? Un débordement bileux ?
Catherine
" La lucidité est la blessure la plus proche du soleil" René Char
Dans ton petit précis à l'usage du voyageur-penseur, tu as oublié la convictiose. La convictiose, ou volonté de défendre ses convictions, existe sous différentes formes.
La moins dangereuse, la convictiose humanisante, s'attrape sur le long terme, c'est une de ses caractéristiques : la maladie se développe et s'accroît avec l'âge car elle est fortifiée par la culturite aigue, variante de la culturite bénine connue aussi comme culturite googelisée. Le principal symptôme de la convictiose humanisante est insidieux : le patient devient animé de la nécessité de défendre se qu'il croit juste. Cependant, la recherche ne se focalise pas sur cette pathologie car une très faible frange de la population en est atteinte.
Avec pertinence, il a été souligné l'absence de remèdes proposés. Il convient donc de combler cette lacune.
Aux grands maux les petits remèdes ainsi l'OFV a préconisé une thérapie d'une simplicité enfantine.
° pour ceux qui ont vu dans le message d'alerte un éclat de rire (teinté de cynisme, il faut l'avouer) aucun traitement n'est nécessaire. Le forum reste un espace ludique et récréatif.
° pour ceux qui ont perçu les symptômes et même de nouveaux tels que commentite, borgnose ou enflite à l'exclusion de la convictiose (ces pathologies seront étudiées avec soin), l'OFV suggère :
- une prise quotidienne de lactibiane médication proposée par un membre pour lutter contre les signes foireux de toutes origines y compris l'humour. une dose de couragesium 7CH en dilution. Ce traitement homéopathique offre au patient le courage de mettre la touche OFF en action, dépassionnant un débat qui coule vers les rives du Styx par la loi de la modération. une hygiène de vie très facile à pratiquer:
° se mettre debout
° ouvrir la fenêtre et respirer à pleins poumons
° faire le tour de la pièce à petites foulées.
° s'étendre et poser sur les yeux deux compresses d'eau de bleuet, idéales pour les yeux irrités et mettre sur les doigts un cataplasme d'argile tiède. Les aticulations se dénouent et les doigts peuvent ainsi servir à pétrir, effleurer, toucher, caresser.
° rejoindre la cellule familiale ; mari ou femme, compagne ou compagnon, enfants
° rejoindre collègues de travail autour de la machine à café, thé ou chocolat
° discuter avec le facteur, la boulangère ou le voisin
° retrouver ses copains et copines, amis ou amies.
On le voit, ces méthodes douces n'ont rien d'agressant ou d'agressif pour l'organisme
Ces quelques préceptes sont bien entendu laissés comme il se doit à la libre interprétation.!!!
Je ne me sentais pas visée par le post de Nakata, plutôt par celui de Cepavrai que j'ai bien pris...
Je suis certaine que si Nakata voulait me reprocher quoi que ce soit, il m'aurait directement adressé ce post sans aucune hésitation... Et je le préfère.
J'ai juste été surprise par sa réaction vis-à-vis d'un message qui n'avait rien de méchant en apparence ( parce que je trouve aussi qu'il a de l'humour ) si ce n'est une ironie déroutante pour ceux qui lancent à la légère de tels sujets comme honte de ma banlieue ou les bienfaits de la colonisation...
A présent, je constate que l'humour n'est pas partagé et je le conçois par l'effort effectué par certains pour contrer ces idées faussement reçues qu'une certaine frustration peut laisser libre court à de la colère... Désolée Nakata...
Quand j'ai ecrit ce message, j'etais un peu en colere parce qu'un fil de discussion que je trouvais tres interessant venait d'etre sabré par la moderation. Cette coupe avait eu lieu juste apres que certains (que j'appelle les Bisounours, autre affection dont on pourrait parler) interviennent dans la discussion, non pas pour apporter quelque chose au debat mais pour simplement dire un truc du genre "oh non, vous etes pas cools de vous disputer, les copains, vous me deprimez, ca me degoute de VoyageForum !" Ce qui m'ennuyait, c'est que les Bisounours aient eu en quelque sorte gain de cause, puisque le debat avait été effacé. Ceci je ne remet pas en cause la moderation de François qui fait un travail difficile : c'est juste que sur le moment, ca m'a foutu en rogne que mes messages parfois longs et developpés soient reduits à neant (d'apres ce que j'ai compris, ce n'etaient pas mes messages qui etaient en cause mais ceux auquels je repondais).
D'ou mon agacement devant la contribution de cepavrai, qui me semblait participer de cette bisounoursite, cette facon de faire la morale a ceux qui s'engueulent sur certaines parties tres limitees du forum. Je m'excuse si j'ai ete trop violent sur ce coup.
Ah non ! tu ne vas pas faire de l'excusite, surtout auprès de cépavrai dont les interventions sur VF sont en majorité des attaques, certes déguisées par une belle plume, mais le (mauvais) fond est là.
On dirait un ancien membre déçu qui est revenu jouer au vengeur masqué.
Comment expliquer autrement une si bonne connaissance des membres par une personne inscrite sur VF le 29 novembre dernier ?
Disons que je ne fais pas partie des grandes figures de ce forum, ce qui fait que je ne me sens pas non plus d'imposer trop violemment ma vision du forum... Et je ne veux pas non plus devenir un critique systematique de la moderation, car je sais que je deteste moi-meme les gens qui passent leur temps à faire ca, sur les forums que je connais mieux.
Franchement, Le Piaf a raison, ne t'excuses pas ! Ce sujet lancé par Cepavrai n'a pas plus à voir avec les voyages que les sujets qu'elle critique. Rien à voir non plus avec la pensée ou la réflexion des voyageurs qui, même s'ils aiment le voyage, ne sont pas tenus d'être victimes du syndrome de la toile cirée . Il est juste là pour aiguiser les dents des uns et l'aigreur des autres. A l'opposé de ce que la majorité des participants de ce forum recherche d'après ce que ma courte expérience des lieux m'a permis constater.
Si un sujet mérite d'être éjecté par les modérateurs, c'est bien un sujet comme celui-là qui n'existe que pour la polémique gratuite.
Catherine
" La lucidité est la blessure la plus proche du soleil" René Char
Many of us have noticed that bugs have been making it difficult to navigate the forum lately.
I’ll let Kate and Ticapi explain the issue:
I went to your profile to check out the Thailand travel journal, and when I clicked on it, it brought me back here again. All week, I’ve been dealing with bugs like this—it’s really discouraging from continuing on VF.🙁
I had the same thing happen, and multiple times. For me, it was Montagnard’s latest journal that kept coming up no matter which discussion I clicked on.
BOLIVIA: THE COUNTRY ON THE BRINK (What's Really Happening)
A dramatic saga is unfolding before our eyes in the Andes. Between suffocating blockades, clashes, an international airlift, and historic political decisions, Bolivia has just experienced 48 hours of rare intensity.
Here’s the full breakdown (economic, social, and political) of the last 48 hours:
For travelers and tourists: the article also includes an important note about the upcoming publication (starting tomorrow) of the precise status of roadblocks, route by route.
I’ll post the full update here on Voyage Forum!
Don’t miss this in-depth analysis. History is being written before our eyes! https://www.petitherge.com/bolivie-paralysie-et-ultimatum
I just discovered a great show on Arte.
It's called "7 en route": seven young European journalists travel around Europe in a fully converted bus, making reports on every city they visit. It's amazing! 🙂
Yesterday, for example, they were in Rome, Italy, and the reports included things like the world's smallest restaurant—a super romantic spot for two. There was also a report on the king of paparazzi in Italy.
They have to pick topics that let us discover the little quirks of each country. And at the end of each episode, we get to see the finished report.
It's such a great show, mixing journalism, travel, and discovery—basically, a must-watch!
It airs in the evening starting at 6:50 PM (I think), and it started this past Monday, July 14th.
If you watch it, let me know—we can chat about it!
I left my heart’s country eight days ago and returned to my adopted one—or was it the other way around? Scotland-Morvan, Morvan-Scotland, I’m not quite sure anymore.
After a quarter without dragging my slippers around here, even though I’d loudly declared I had no interest left in this site, here I am again!
My imagination never stays fallow for long. Just enough time for my inner land to rest. It gets overgrown with fresh nettles, the kind you can pick without getting stung. Then, it’s time to till the fragrant earth and let the story grow.
I hesitated over where to set this story.
Maybe the Highlands, maybe the Hebrides, maybe the Orkney Islands, maybe the Shetland Islands. All of Scotland is myth—easy to embroider.
But in the end, no. I’d almost be too afraid to bare my soul.
The story will take place at home. Simple, practical.
1)
This morning, I was up well before dawn, feeling a bit grumpy, but nothing a bowl of coffee won’t fix. I love my bowl, and no one dares take it. It’s porcelain, edged with intertwined blue flowers. On the bottom, it says "Revol." The factory has existed long before the Revolution. It was my great-grandmother’s bowl. She drank roasted barley from it during the war, then her Leroux chicory.
Last year, a little guy dropped it. My bowl broke into three pieces. A black anger vibrated deep inside me. The little boy was so upset, on the verge of tears. How could I scold him!
I picked up the three pieces and took Little Boy in my arms. His hair smelled of the light, sweet sweat of toddlers. A gentle hug that healed—his budding sorrow and my anger—everything vanished, and time carried on.
Today, my bowl is even prettier. Man fixed it using the traditional kintsugi technique, except he didn’t use gold powder or lacquer but superglue, and he delicately painted the cracks with woad blue. And my bowl is even more beautiful now.
I’m lingering, I can tell—it’s just that a story wraps itself in life, and life can’t be told in the snap of a finger. Life is long. Like in architecture, you start with a rough sketch, called a "sous-cul" (the initial pencil drawing), then you make a tracing, which is the work itself, the one you later carefully roll up in a wooden tube.
Life is like that: you erase, you start over, you use the nub of the pencil until it’s tiny, but you keep going—dreaming, loving.
"Living is a full-time occupation, a unique adventure. Always a surprise and a wonder, which sometimes turns into astonishment. And, from time to time, happiness."*
Alright, enough digressing—this introduction is definitely too long.
Tomorrow, I’ll get to the heart of the matter.
(I hate that expression; it feels like I’m cutting into someone’s skin.)
I’m Yann, a 28-year-old TikToker who loves traveling!
Since I’ve been to several destinations, I’d love to get a flag from each one as a sort of trophy. But from what I’ve seen online, a lot of sites sell them with what looks like really poor quality...
So I’m reaching out to you all to share a site you usually use—help me start my collection! :)
hi there
I’d love to get some opinions—I’ve never used Airbnb before.
They’re offering a key handover via lockbox.
Any tips or advice?
Is it reliable?
Best,
Hi there, I’m Laura, and I’m looking for a few people to answer some questions so I can understand your travel wishes and challenges. It won’t take long—I can chat here, by email, or by phone. Don’t worry, I’m not selling anything! 😊
On this forum, we talk a lot about trekking in the Himalayas, but I’d love to share another side of Nepal: its spiritual, cultural, and religious atmosphere, especially in Kathmandu.
Nepal, much like Tibet and Bhutan, is deeply connected to the Himalayas—the ultimate sacred mountain range. This small country exudes a calming vibe, shaped by a strong spiritual dimension. What I loved most was the unique sensory experience you get there. Walking around temples and tantric monasteries, a distinct scent fills the air—aromatic plants used for ritual fumigation. Locals mainly burn Himalayan juniper, cedar, sandalwood, and other local essences. This fragrant smoke is a way to purify the space and reach the deities, and you’re constantly enveloped in these aromas.
Another striking aspect is the sound. As soon as you step outside, you hear bells ringing in front of temples. People ring them three times before praying to announce their presence to the deities. Nepal is also the birthplace of singing bowls and sound meditation practices. In Kathmandu, you can easily find meditation sessions or "sound baths."
The spiritual dimension is everywhere: a Hindu sadhu practicing asceticism, a lama in deep red robes with his mala, turning a prayer wheel while murmuring "Om mani padme hum." Newar Buddhism, Tantrism, and Hinduism coexist harmoniously in daily life.
For those who love exploring a destination through its culture and spirituality, Nepal is an unforgettable place. What was your spiritual experience in Nepal like?
Hi,
I’m landing in Quebec and then heading to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I’d like to rent a pick-up. My question is: does this vehicle come with a cover and is it secure enough to store luggage in? I’ve heard two conflicting opinions. Thanks
I just installed the Maps.Me app on my phone. I only recently found out about this app. I’m traveling in 2 weeks and a few days, and I’m a bit stuck on how to use it.
I’m from the Montreal (Quebec) area, and I’d love to know if there’s a kind soul out there who could help me get started and use the app at least minimally.
If there are private lessons available, I’d be interested in those too.
Like many others, I’m overjoyed to hear that VoyageForum is reopening! I’ve been waiting hopefully for this, and it’s wonderful that it’s finally happening!
I just couldn’t bring myself to actively participate in other French-language travel forums—their format and way of doing things never appealed to me as much. I really hope that VF’s structure, categories, and interface won’t change too much despite the handover, because I’m very attached to them. Through thick and thin, the site has held strong—it’s amazing!
In a previous message, François mentioned that there were positions to fill ahead of the reopening, including moderators...
I’ve been eagerly waiting for this and hoping to send in my CV.
Now, after reading the latest message, it seems like the team is already fully formed. But are there still a few spots left to fill?
I’ve been a VF member for 20 years (since 2004). I’d love to contribute to this wonderful adventure as a moderator if VF would trust me with the role. If the team is open to reviewing it, I’m ready to send my CV. Could you let me know the next steps?
I’m planning a 3-week trip to Japan in May with Voyage Privé. The package includes a 5 GB eSIM, but my phone isn’t new enough to support it. VP told me I could buy a SIM card when I arrive at the airport.
Sure enough, I’ve seen online that this is possible with different providers.
I only need it for checking routes, looking up addresses, train schedules, etc.—basically using Google Maps, TripAdvisor, and similar apps. No heavy downloads or major internet use. All hotels should provide free Wi-Fi for that, right?
Has anyone got any tips for me on this? What have you tried, and how much did it cost?
Thanks for your help!
I’d like to know if you can buy reef-safe sunscreen sprays at 7-Eleven. If so, how much do they cost? We’re traveling with backpacks, so we’ll either buy 100ml here or in Thailand.
I wanted to share a really unpleasant experience from our last trip booked with Promoséjours and organized by FTI.
We booked an 8-day/7-night stay in Egypt, from June 8 to 15.
The flight initially scheduled was changed a week before departure to take off at 10 PM from Paris CDG.
In the end, it took off with a 1-hour delay and included an unmentioned stopover in Marsa Alam.
We landed in Hurghada at 4 AM and arrived at the hotel at 6 AM.
So, we spent our first night on the plane.
For the return trip, surprise—the flight was moved up. We left the hotel at 10:30 PM on Friday the 14th to take off at 2 AM and land at 7 AM at Paris CDG.
So, we spent our last night on the plane too.
After sending a complaint letter to Promoséjours / FTI, they replied that the first and last days can be dedicated to transport (which I already knew) and that no matter how many nights you book, you’re not guaranteed to spend them in the hotel—it could just as well be on the plane.
I’m really questioning this.
Isn’t there a law that protects customers in cases like this?
Because when I do the math, the first and part of the second day were spent on transport, same for the second-to-last and last day. And I paid for 7 nights for a stay that only lasted 5.
Anyway, I just want to say thanks to them—thanks to their two sleepless nights in transit, I’m coming back even more exhausted from a trip that was supposed to be restful!
I also want to warn anyone booking through this agency about visas for Egypt.
At booking, they told me the visa was included in the price, then they sent me an email saying I’d have to pay for it on-site at 25 €.
Once there, we were directed to a special line for FTI customers, and guess what? They charged us 30 €!
Basically, they’re great at making sure you *enjoy* your vacation—mostly by enjoying your wallet!
If anyone has dealt with this kind of situation and won their case, I’m all ears.
Hi there!
I’m heading to Thailand for two months.
So I thought I’d get a Thai SIM card to use Google Maps for getting around cities, mostly.
Here’s my question: will this SIM affect my apps? Or will they work the same as with my Orange SIM?
Is there any setup I need to do, or can I just pop in the Thai SIM?
I’d also like to switch back to my Orange SIM now and then while I’m in Thailand—on the same phone. Will I need to reset the phone, or will it reconnect without any issues?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Best,
Huiclos
Hi, I’d like to know where we can buy beer or wine in Chefchaouen and around Merzouga. We’ll be doing a circuit and staying at the Parador Hotel in Chefchaouen and in a bivouac in Merzouga.
Thanks for any info you can share!
Hello everyone,
I’m reaching out to all travelers and globe-trotters on this forum. I’m a teacher in Creuse working in a ULIS program (which welcomes children aged 6 to 12 with disabilities into a mainstream school). This year, I’m launching a school journal project that will involve the kids in many different topics. A big part of this journal will focus on opening up to the world, embracing differences, travel, global cultures, and more.
I’m putting out a call to invite as many of you as possible to send us a postcard (from France or anywhere in the world)! The goal is to help us "travel" and discover new places, countries, and horizons in a way that’s much more fun and exciting than a geography textbook. One section of our journal could be called "We received a letter from ," where we’d research the location and share what we learn with our readers—a really enriching activity for the classroom.
The project starts in September 2025 but doesn’t have a strict end date, since this journal and world-discovery initiative will span several school years (the kids stay in the ULIS program for multiple years). Postcards can be sent anytime—throughout the year, across seasons, even during holidays! The kids will find them when they return.
I hope this idea appeals to as many of you as possible, and that you’ll spread the word to your fellow travelers. Help us dream and explore!
For those who’d like to write to us in a language other than French, no problem—quite the opposite!
Thank you in advance for your participation! Below is our address. If you’d like us to write back, feel free to leave your address on a corner of the postcard! 😊
ULIS program students
Bonnat Elementary School
12 rue Georges Sand
23220 BONNAT
Thank you, and I hope to hear from you soon! 😊
Julien
🙂
Hi there! I have to leave Ivato/Antananarivo on December 16th. I have a lot of ariary that I’d like to exchange for euros since I might not be coming back to Madagascar (after this 21st trip). I think the exchange office at Ivato also buys ariary back. If any of you have seen the rate for this buyback in advance, thanks a million!
Hi everyone,
I’m looking for a website that would let me plot my travel route in advance so I can print it out. The idea is to create a map with a little “me” on a bike that my parents can move along as I progress, since I’m planning to cycle all the way to Nepal.
If any of you have done something similar or know of a good tool, I’d love to hear your tips!
Thanks in advance! 😊
I'm looking to buy an ultra-lightweight 50/55L travel backpack with a suitcase or front opening.
Does anyone have any brand and/or model recommendations?
Thanks,
Emma
Hello. We’re a retired couple heading to Sri Lanka from January to March. After the November floods, I’d like to know if we can offer hands-on help to the locals, maybe pack some clothes or other items people might need in our luggage, and who we could give them to. Thanks for any info from those on the ground.
Be careful when sailing between Somalia and northern Madagascar.
It appears to be Somali pirates who have widened their search in the Mozambique Channel, far from their usual attack zone, since, to my knowledge, there are no Malagasy pirates.
Not sure if this is the right section, but just wanted to warn future travelers...
Where’s Cape Vidal?
It’s in iSimangaliso, an independent park in KZN Wildlife, stunning and just a stone’s throw from St Lucia (KwaZulu-Natal, Maputaland).
It’s the beach spot at the end of the Eastern Shores road. You can swim, fish... but watch out for waves, currents, and sharks...
There’s a really nice game drive where you can get out of your car at certain points, especially at Cape Vidal.
That’s where the camp with bungalows and campsites is.
The vervets and samango monkeys (endemic to the area, and the males are pretty big) can be a bit of a nuisance if you’re trying to braai...
They’re super persistent and not shy at all—don’t let them intimidate you, and stay alert because their speed at snatching food is impressive.
Anyway...
I’m reporting two recent attacks by these hyenas... who were *not* in a playful mood...
The first one happened at night—a hyena tried to bite a camper’s nose off in their tent... and succeeded.
The other night, a camper returning to their tent in the early hours was violently attacked by two hyenas... and they had a close call!
So, if you’re camping there, be careful...
Measures are being taken, but for now, it’s a bit risky.
A white rental Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 carrying foreign tourists was attacked at the entrance of Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in the village of Bekopaka, western Madagascar, yesterday. So far, there’s been no response from the central government to curb these repeated armed attacks—usually between Malagasy people, but this time targeting foreign tourists.
After an engine failure in mid-2016 on a long-haul flight from BRISBANE to LYON, I developed a persistent aviophobia that I’m struggling to shake off. It’s becoming more and more of a hindrance.
Up until now, I’ve been using an avoidance strategy (for example, avoiding destinations that would require any other mode of transport than a car or train), but lately, it’s become really limiting.
I’m looking for a therapist—either in-person or via video call—who could help me get past this hurdle.
First and foremost, I hope this topic won’t just focus on my region—the South of France—and that those of you who enjoy exchanging ideas will share what makes your own regions special.
Personally, I’ve often wanted to push back when people call us vulgar (though I’ll admit I sometimes play it up). At heart, we pure-blooded Southerners just have our own way of expressing ourselves, which differs from other regions. We also get heated in conversations pretty easily (some researchers say it’s the influence of the sun and climate in general).
What some perceive as vulgar, we don’t see that way at all.
Do you want a uniform world with no differences? If so, how do you handle traveling to places with cultures completely different from your own?
In the travel community, the word "authenticity" comes up a lot, and it often takes priority in people’s searches.
In my specific case, speaking a purely regional language without having gone to school for it doesn’t help with understanding on this forum. That’s what creates what you call controversies—and what I call passionate exchanges.
It left me speechless and ended the conversation because, for him, that’s just how he sees things, and he refuses to debate it, sticking to his position. I’ll quote him, hoping he won’t hold it against me:
"For me, things like bullfighting, boxing, football, and MMA are just tangible proof that human evolution is still at a primitive stage."
For him, our Latin-origin bullfights are barbaric customs. For us *taurins*, we need to see men face wild beasts (bulls and *toros*) at the risk of their lives every day. Does that make us barbarians?
We’ve always had this need to confront death—it’s in our genes.
Take the example he gave about football: fans of the sport would be considered mentally underdeveloped. But what about a kid who’s passionate about the game and has that drive to be a winner, just like a boxer or athletes in other violent sports?
As a traveler myself, passionate about old stones and beautiful historic buildings, I’ve visited Rome but couldn’t fully appreciate it. Religion is everywhere, and I felt like I had a lead weight on my head realizing that millions of people worldwide have believed in a god for millennia.
I’ve also judged believers for basing their faith on archaic texts that don’t prove a god (or gods) ever existed—I still think that, but I’m open to being proven wrong so I can say, "You’ve convinced me I was mistaken."
- If everyone clings to their own ideas and positions, no discussion is possible, and that’s a shame.
I’ll take away two things from my forum interactions: some accuse me of being omnipresent when I just love exchanging ideas. My way of speaking is misunderstood (regional differences), even if I’ll admit I sometimes turn up the heat—or rather, the *aïoli* —which for me is just lively debates 🔥 (a regional specialty).
And my "mocking" side, which I really need to work on.
This topic isn’t just about me—I hope other forum members will share their own regional "specialties" . For example, in Alsace, some older folks switch to their local language when they don’t want outsiders to understand, and I still don’t know if it’s German or something else.
