France warns its citizens about visiting specific locations in Houston

By Craig Hlavaty | November 18, 2013 | Updated: November 18, 2013 2:03pm






The French government's warnings about the United States include Houston specifically and generally floods, sharks and hurricanes.
The French government warns its citizens on one of its websites about the dangers found in major American cities, just as our government tells us where we shouldn't go outside the U.S. border. Lots of people want to blow us up, cut off our heads, and kidnap us. All three if possible.

The French warning about Houston, translated from the French diplomatic site (with a high five to Google Translate) is as follows:

As in all major cities of the United States, you should not leave personal belongings in the car during the day. Be vigilant when traveling at night in certain neighborhoods, Downtown, and the southern and eastern parts of Houston.

Everyone knows to not leave valuables out in the open in their car in Houston. Some people have had their window busted out for loose change in an ashtray. It happens. Downtown and the nearby Midtown area is only really sketchy if you are afraid of drunk people singing Sweet Caroline in your ear and puffing on e-cigs.

Other U.S. cities, like New York City, Boston, and New Orleans are singled out for crime, unsurprisingly. In Richmond, Va., the French are simply advised to not visit the city on foot, which should elate pedicab drivers.

Our country sounds downright vicious when you add in their advisories about floods, sharks, hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes. And that's not even mentioning the traffic, guns, and fast food. Holy dystopia! It makes me wonder how any of us live past 20.

The French government nearly calls for abstaining from the whole of New York City, calling for vigilance at "airports, train stations, subways, restaurants, museums and some hotels."

"Do not go alone in Harlem, the Bronx and Central Park at night," the website warns. You heard it here, the French are about to love Brooklyn.

It's said that heavily trafficked tourist areas in New Orleans are well-supervised, but the French said that north of St. Charles Avenue and south of Magazine Street, there lies trouble. Not a word about losing all your money at Harrah's though, or partaking in too many hand grenades on Bourbon Street. You find that out on your own.
Detroit gets a bad rap, with the French stating that "the center is not recommended after the close of business."

In fact, the French advocate for staying out of almost every downtown area in Big City, USA. Soon, your suburbs will be crawling with French tourist traps.

As for Los Angeles, the French government implores you to watch your smartphone, which could be a target for thieves, noting that other valuable belongings could be fodder for pickpockets. Also, be careful to not let an executive give you a development deal or a reality show while in Hollywood.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-te...ic-4991047.php