‘Get some culture’: Fight breaks out at dangerous selfie spot

A fight breaks out at a dangerous selfie spot in Paris as “dumb Americans” take over. So, who’s in the wrong?

One of the biggest attractions for selfie-takers in Paris doesn’t require a ticket.

One of the biggest attractions for selfie-takers in Paris doesn’t require a ticket but costs one thing: your life.

About 20 tourists are forming a queue in the middle of the road as traffic whooshes by either side. Every few seconds, annoyed drivers honk.

In the background looms the impressive Arc de Triomphe, an iconic monument built in 1806 to honour those who died in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In 2024, it’s better known as an Instagram prop.

One by one, each person in the line strikes a pose for their camera, making sure to get the attraction in frame.

One of them predicts tomorrow’s newspaper headlines: “DUMB AMERICANS HIT BY BUS WHILE TAKING SELFIES.”

Tourists form a queue in the middle of the road. Picture: James Weir /news.com.au.

Selfie secured.

What is it about visiting a new city that make you want to run into oncoming traffic and take useless photos of dusty old buildings that you’ll never bother to look at again?

A November report from the University of New South Wales revealed there have been 379 deaths by selfie since 2008, with the increase of injuries obtained by those seeking the perfect shot becoming a “public health problem”.

As the Olympics brings an expected 11 million tourists into Paris, no monument is safe. At the Arc de Triomphe, pulses race as people line up in the traffic and wait, defiant of the speeding cars. Many more lurk on the sidewalk, trying to time a space in the traffic to run out and get their shot.

“It’s a dramatic place in Paris,” says Paola, 26, who’s waiting for her partner to sprint between cars and fetch her cardigan that fell off when she was frantically posing for a photo in the middle of the road.

 

American tourists are prepared to risk it all.

Risking it all for the ultimate selfie. Picture: James Weir /news.com.au.

Nearing the front of the queue are Dale and Mary, a couple desperate for pictures. They visited the monument a few years ago but couldn’t take a photo in this spot because of construction. Now is their moment.

Well, almost. Someone cuts in front of them.

“There was a line and now people want to skip the whole line!” Dale fumes.

There should really be a ticketing system, like the Coles deli.

Eventually, it’s their turn. Dales poses alone. Then they get some shots together. Now, more importantly, Mary needs some solo pics. Dale snaps away as vehicles roll by.

Mary walks over and inspects the gallery of photos on the phone. She winces. They’re not good. None of them. She hands the phone back to her husband and insists he try again.

“Baby, people are waiting,” he pleads.

That’s not her problem.

“There were cars in the background,” she explains the issues with her pictures.

How dare traffic have the gall to travel through this intersection.

Dale sighs but Mary insists. They’ve already come this far. Lives have been put on the line. Take another damn photo, Dale!

‘Show some culture’. Picture: James Weir /news.com.au.

When you're just trying to take a selfie in the middle of traffic and someone rudely interrupts. Picture: James Weir /news.com.au.

Meanwhile, a glamorous woman named Annita is getting ready for her photoshoot. When the time comes, she rolls through a series of stylish stances.

Mid-pose, a random older woman shoulders into frame and starts posing for her own photos. This completely breaks the honour code of the unmonitored queue.

“Excuse me,” Annita snaps.

“You were taking too long,” the woman replies.

Annita issues a firm smack-down: “Show some culture!”

Indeed, this roadside selfie queue is nothing but the height of culture.

Facebook: @hellojamesweir