Some people get so upset when Paris doesn't look like a fairy tale that they actually get sick. It's a strange medical condition caused by a city not being as "perfect" as it is in the movies!
We've all seen the movies: glowing lights, quiet cafes, and the smell of fresh croissants. But for some travelers, the real Paris is so different from their dreams that it causes a medical emergency known as Paris Syndrome.
Paris Syndrome is an extreme form of culture shock. It happens mostly to visitors from East Asia, particularly Japan, who have a very romanticized image of the city. When they arrive and see crowds, noise, and perhaps some unfriendly service, the mental gap is too much to handle.
It's not just "being sad." The brain becomes so overwhelmed by the disappointment and the language barrier that it triggers physical symptoms:
The only real cure for Paris Syndrome is usually going home. The Japanese Embassy in Paris even has a 24-hour hotline to help citizens who are struggling with this severe disappointment.
Paris Syndrome reminds us that movies are great, but real cities have real flaws. It's a strange example of how powerful our expectations can be over our physical health.
