[Sportschosun Jang Jong-ho] "Please stop taking photos." "Why are you harassing Chinese people?"
It was revealed that a Chinese tourist and a Western tourist even got into a physical altercation over whose turn it was to take photos at a famous tourist site in Paris, France.
According to foreign media outlets including the Daily Mail, a Chinese woman was seen taking photos at the grand staircase photo spot inside Palais Garnier, one of Paris's best-known landmarks. The opera house, named after architect Charles Garnier, is also known as Palais Garnier and is famous as the setting for the musical "The Phantom of the Opera."
At the scene, dozens of tourists were reportedly lined up in a long queue, waiting for their turn to take photos.
In the video, a Western tourist pointed to his wristwatch after the photo session dragged on, signaling that the woman should step aside so others could use the spot. An argument soon broke out, and the man with the woman shoved the other tourist, leading to a physical confrontation.
The situation did not escalate further, as another tourist stepped in to stop them.
The Chinese woman, who claimed to be hearing impaired, later stated her position through a sign language interpreter.
She said, "I was still taking photos, but the other person kept trying to cut in," adding, "When they said my time was up, I told them to step back."
She also claimed, "They deliberately took photos right in front of us to interfere."
By contrast, the man involved in the clash reportedly complained that "everyone was standing in line, but they cut in."
It was also reported that tempers flared at the scene, with threatening remarks exchanged.
During the incident, the Chinese woman appeared highly agitated and even held up China's national flag displayed on her phone screen.
She reportedly said, "I am Chinese, and I will not be bullied," and made remarks to the effect that "China should not be disrespected."
The group later used a translation app to explain the situation to security staff on site and lodge a complaint.
However, after the video spread online, criticism was also widespread in China.
Some netizens pointed out that "there was no need to turn a simple dispute between tourists into a national issue," while others criticized the group, saying they should have been more considerate of the people who had been waiting for a long time.
As the controversy grew, the woman released a statement on Social Networking Service (SNS).
She said, "I learned a big lesson from this incident," and admitted, "At the time, I spoke and acted without thinking, got into an unnecessary argument, and lost my composure."
She added, "I will not take out and display a national flag in situations like this in the future."
Jang Jong-ho bellho@sportschosun.com
