Planet Rugby Forum

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:39 am**

At the risk of starting a flame war, which cities have you been too that didn't live up to your expectations?

For me, the first city that comes to mind is Singapore. Found the weather oppressive, the shopping mediocre and expensive, and the food was nice but no better than what you can get in other cities for a cheaper price.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:42 am**

Paris. Wife had talked it up as great but we went together and it was just awful. Litter everywhere, homeless people everywhere, not to mention the dodgy plums around all of the tourist locations. 0/10 would not recommend.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:44 am**

Sydney.

A beautiful city to look at but it takes ages to get anywhere and many of the people who live there are absolute cunts (sample size n=17).

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:57 am**

I'm increasingly disliking cities as I get old older - basically anything Auckland sized or bigger.

Dirty, smelly, everybody anonymous from each other, too much traffic, too difficult to run errands.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:58 am**

Rome. Had high expectations but jam-packed with tourists everywhere I turned and everything overpriced.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:00 am**

assfly wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:58 am Rome. Had high expectations but jam-packed with tourists everywhere I turned and everything overpriced.

I preferred Rome over Istanbul, but then again the Turks are truly some of the least hospitable people on the planet

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:16 am**

Sydney

Just loads of pretentious wankers in suits and it costs about 4 or 5 bucks for a game of pool.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:24 am**

True Blue wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:39 am At the risk of starting a flame war, which cities have you been too that didn't live up to your expectations?

For me, the first city that comes to mind is Singapore. Found the weather oppressive, the shopping mediocre and expensive, and the food was nice but no better than what you can get in other cities for a cheaper price.

Isn't this most people's expectation of Singapore in the first place?

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:33 am**

ElementFreak wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:42 am Paris. Wife had talked it up as great but we went together and it was just awful. Litter everywhere, homeless people everywhere, not to mention the dodgy plums around all of the tourist locations. 0/10 would not recommend.

Not to mention lots of smokers, and dog poop everywhere.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:35 am**

Paris is good shout. It's not terrible, but there are too many undesirables to make it an enjoyable visit.

Boston and Lisbon were a touch disappointing too though not sure how highly they were rated in the first instance.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:05 am**

Been there but it's shite now?

Hidden gems might be a better thread.

I was there before it was cool etc.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:06 am**

Vienna. Thought it would be good, but it means nothing to me.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:07 am**

Cairo - shit hole.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:18 am**

True Blue wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:39 am At the risk of starting a flame war, which cities have you been too that didn't live up to your expectations?

For me, the first city that comes to mind is Singapore. Found the weather oppressive, the shopping mediocre and expensive, and the food was nice but no better than what you can get in other cities for a cheaper price.

I don't quite get your last line, the food is cheap as chips in Singapore.

I hate shopping so that doesn't really bother me but the humidity is tough.

Dark wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 7:16 am Sydney

Just loads of pretentious wankers in suits and it costs about 4 or 5 bucks for a game of pool.

Did you go straight from the airport to a bar next to a bank, play some pool and then fly out again?

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:51 am**

EverReady wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:18 am I went in November and it was great. Still not empty so I can imagine peaker times must be awful. For me most cities are a bit dirty and shitty. London was very dirty and shitty when I visited my mate with a crappy feel and general air of decrepit awfulness. If it was was the last place I was allowed visit before dying I would immediately walk in front of a bus. Besides that it was fine

I'd love to go back when it's quieter and see some of the less touristy places.

I generally avoid major cities when travelling if I can. Much prefer the smaller places, especially in Italy.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:01 am**

Rome is the best city I’ve ever visited, culture history and food are all 10’s. Also easy to avoid the expensive eats and drinks a few streets back.

I cannot wait for the pandemic to be over to take my children.

NYC was the greatest place to visit and work. Manhattan is the 8th wonder of the world. Let’s hope it recovers.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:08 am**

ElementFreak wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:42 am Paris. Wife had talked it up as great but we went together and it was just awful. Litter everywhere, homeless people everywhere, not to mention the dodgy plums around all of the tourist locations. 0/10 would not recommend.

Yep, dirty.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:11 am**

bimboman wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:01 am Rome is the best city I’ve ever visited, culture history and food are all 10’s. Also easy to avoid the expensive eats and drinks a few streets back.

I cannot wait for the pandemic to be over to take my children.

NYC was the greatest place to visit and work. Manhattan is the 8th wonder of the world. Let’s hope it recovers.

New York has degraded substantially over the last decade
It’s not the city it once was

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:16 am**

Scunthorpe.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:18 am**

Nor sure if they are overrated but I didnt enjoy either Munich or Berlin. It just seems to be a case that the Germans find it pretty difficult to be hospitable.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:18 am**

Sydney? Whos rating Sydney? And Singapour? No sane person is rating singapur: autocratic cultureless hellhole, no thank you. I mean shopping, really? WHo the fudge rates shopping except the most deranged consumerist...What you rate is monuments, architecture, landscapes, possibly a laidback, hospitable culture, none of which are to be found in Singapour.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:21 am**

Winnie wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:11 am
bimboman wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:01 am Rome is the best city I’ve ever visited, culture history and food are all 10’s. Also easy to avoid the expensive eats and drinks a few streets back.

I cannot wait for the pandemic to be over to take my children.

NYC was the greatest place to visit and work. Manhattan is the 8th wonder of the world. Let’s hope it recovers.
New York has degraded substantially over the last decade
It’s not the city it once was

That’s sad news. It’s one of my working life’s highlights spending time there so regularly in the early 2000’s.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:23 am**

I have a genuine, deep dislike not just for Venice but for people who like it. Smelly, overpriced example of the triumph of engineering over intelligence. Just because you can do something doesn't mean its a good idea.

And just up the road you have Padua, a bloody great spot.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:23 am**

ElementFreak wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:42 am Paris. Wife had talked it up as great but we went together and it was just awful. Litter everywhere, homeless people everywhere, not to mention the dodgy plums around all of the tourist locations. 0/10 would not recommend.

I thought Paris was amazing! I've heard multiple people say that they didn't like it, but I don't get it. I think it's a beautiful city!

In any case, unfortunately I would have to say Stockholm. Sweden is a beautiful place, but the cities are not her strong-points, the natural environment outside the cities are. The cities are all a bit run-down and expensive despite exorbitant tax rates (I have no idea where it all goes), full of communist-style apartment blocks, constantly under-construction and also much grimier, greyer and dirtier than I expected, and they young kids here have this f-cking disgusting habit of hocking massive spit-balls on the pavement, as if that's the "cool" thing to do. So the pavement is covered in globs of spit.

It was probably just my expectations were unrealistic - for some reason I expected everything to be clean well-organised and stylishly modern in Scandinavia but it's just not. I've heard from a lot of Swedes that it was more like that before all the immigrants came ... maybe ... seems a bit racist to me, but I have heard it whispered on many occassions.

The people are nice and the nature is beautiful but the cities are nothing special.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:23 am**

Dublin.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:26 am**

True Blue wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:39 am At the risk of starting a flame war, which cities have you been too that didn't live up to your expectations?

For me, the first city that comes to mind is Singapore. Found the weather oppressive, the shopping mediocre and expensive, and the food was nice but no better than what you can get in other cities for a cheaper price.

Read Return to Sexy Island by Neil Humphreys. It opened my eyes to how much you can do in Singapore, its history is fascinating.
Many tourists think its an airport you never have to leave or a shopping mall covering an island.
Too humid? Who woulda thought it?
Cant think of something I didn't like or found intriguing of any city Ive been too. Sure a few hick towns or but not a city.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:29 am**

bimboman wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:01 am Rome is the best city I’ve ever visited, culture history and food are all 10’s. Also easy to avoid the expensive eats and drinks a few streets back.

I cannot wait for the pandemic to be over to take my children.

NYC was the greatest place to visit and work. Manhattan is the 8th wonder of the world. Let’s hope it recovers.

That will be lovely for them

"Look Dad, its the Colliseum"

***barely looks up from phone*** "hang on kids, i am winning the internet argument on EU/Britain trade embargos"

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:30 am**

Mog The Almighty wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:23 am
ElementFreak wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:42 am Paris. Wife had talked it up as great but we went together and it was just awful. Litter everywhere, homeless people everywhere, not to mention the dodgy plums around all of the tourist locations. 0/10 would not recommend.
I thought Paris was amazing! I've heard multiple people say that they didn't like it, but I don't get it. I think it's a beautiful city!

In any case, unfortunately I would have to say Stockholm. Sweden is a beautiful place, but the cities are not her strong-points, the natural environment outside the cities are. The cities are all a bit run-down and expensive despite exorbitant tax rates (I have no idea where it all goes), full of communist-style apartment blocks, constantly under-construction and also much grimier, greyer and dirtier than I expected, and they young kids here have this f-cking disgusting habit of hocking massive spit-balls on the pavement, as if that's the "cool" thing to do. So the pavement is covered in globs of spit.

It was probably just my expectations were unrealistic - for some reason I expected everything to be clean well-organised and stylishly modern in Scandinavia but it's just not. I've heard from a lot of Swedes that it was more like that before all the immigrants came ... maybe ... seems a bit racist to me, but I have heard it whispered on many occassions.

The people are nice and the nature is beautiful but the cities are nothing special.

I get what you mean about Stockholm. Think it's awesome as a tourist but outside of the touristy bits it is generic big city feel

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:31 am**

Cape Town. Terrible weather, very expensive, pretentious residents and a thin veil that shields visitors from crime and poverty.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:44 am**

HighKingLeinster wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:29 am
bimboman wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:01 am Rome is the best city I’ve ever visited, culture history and food are all 10’s. Also easy to avoid the expensive eats and drinks a few streets back.

I cannot wait for the pandemic to be over to take my children.

NYC was the greatest place to visit and work. Manhattan is the 8th wonder of the world. Let’s hope it recovers.
That will be lovely for them

"Look Dad, its the Colliseum"

***barely looks up from phone*** "hang on kids, i am winning the internet argument on EU/Britain trade embargos"

I’m sure you’re a dreadful parent.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:45 am**

New Orleans. Was expecting a picturesque, laid back sort of city with interesting little shops, cafes and jazz music. You know.

In reality its an absolute slum. Never recovered from Katrina (i went in 2017) and honestly its the least safe I ever felt in an American city. There were homeless everywhere, sprawling camps which resembled refugee camps. You couldn't walk 10 feet without being accosted by somebody, in a single hour long walk i got harassed, saw multiple people pissing in the street, saw street brawls. If this was at night you could forgive it but it was like 1 in the afternoon.

Oh and Bourbon Street is just a long row of shit bars and strip clubs. If you're considering it, I wouldn't bother. Go to other parts of the south instead.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:48 am**

Casablanca

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:50 am**

Palmerston North.[/end thread]

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:51 am**

New Guy 2 wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:45 am New Orleans. Was expecting a picturesque, laid back sort of city with interesting little shops, cafes and jazz music. You know.

In reality its an absolute slum. Never recovered from Katrina (i went in 2017) and honestly its the least safe I ever felt in an American city. There were homeless everywhere, sprawling camps which resembled refugee camps. You couldn't walk 10 feet without being accosted by somebody, in a single hour long walk i got harassed, saw multiple people pissing in the street, saw street brawls. If this was at night you could forgive it but it was like 1 in the afternoon.

Oh and Bourbon Street is just a long row of shit bars and strip clubs. If you're considering it, I wouldn't bother. Go to other parts of the south instead.

Same for me. Visited a lot of American cities but Norlins the one I felt the least safe in

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:54 am**

Bindi wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:07 am Cairo - shit hole.

Absolute armpit. Athens also.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:55 am**

Slough - it just wasn't that amazing really

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:55 am**

Inch high hogs eye wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:54 am
Bindi wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:07 am Cairo - shit hole.
Absolute armpit. Athens also.

Yes, Athens is an absolute shithole

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:57 am**

Brussels
Los Angeles
Marseille
Copenhagen

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:58 am**

ElementFreak wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:42 am Paris. Wife had talked it up as great but we went together and it was just awful. Litter everywhere, homeless people everywhere, not to mention the dodgy plums around all of the tourist locations. 0/10 would not recommend.

I enjoyed Paris, but all these issues do massively sour the experience. Along with graffiti everywhere in France.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 9:59 am**

Jerome Manning wrote: ↑Wed Dec 09, 2020 6:57 am I'm increasingly disliking cities as I get old older - basically anything Auckland sized or bigger.

Dirty, smelly, everybody anonymous from each other, too much traffic, too difficult to run errands.

His alt IDs were huge in number here, but he's not everybody mate.

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