Americans and France?

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We don't hate Americans we just dislike obnoxious tourists who can't speak one french word and think we in France must speak English.
She will be perfectly ok if she is not behaving obnoxiously and she will be apreciated if she can speak just a few words in French.

redi

Hey,

I'am french. I can swear you it will be OK. Frenchs do not dislike Americans, we don't care about your nationality. There are a lot of English people living in Paris and also American native living in Paris and in France, they all are well integrated in our system. I think it's the same for tourists. Ok, maybe you coul meet a bad man who don't like American people but it's like in all other countries.

No, seriously, go in Paris and savor the Taste of French Way of Life.

Robertsau, de Droite

No kidding ! Your wife will be warmly welcome of course.
We have thousands of American students, employees or tourists in France ! Have you ever heart they had problems ?

patrice

I think they will kill her !!! lol !!!

seriously, what kind of reception do you imagine ??? she will have no major troubles. French people are very friendly. they don't speak english very well, but they are not killers !!!!

and, if she expect we will receive her like a saviour of us, with flowers, applauses and greetings ... you are dreaming !!! the wwII was in 1945... now we are in 2008 ... 63 years later. no much people know this period ...

sorry for my poor english, I'm french

ÐÐ¸ÐºÐ¾Ð»Ð°Ð¹

The average French citizen doesn't hate the Americans.
Since this stupid surrender-cheese-eating-monkey thing started, a lot of rubbish has been said and written about the French.

There is just one thing you must know : most of the French don't pretend to be your friend before they really know you. That's why some Americans believe the French despise them : we don't smile enough. But that's just the way we are. Don't take it personally...

Muted Prophet

I lived in France for many years, and still visit regularly. In all my experiences in France, I have always had positive vibes and positive encounters which French people. They are, contrary to what you may have heard, friendly, polite, and hospitable. I love France and the French people are some of the most intelligent, cultured, and interesting people I have ever met!

Your wife can expect a very warm reception if she keeps in mind a few basic things. First, she should attempt to learn a few basic French phrases...nothing major, just basic greetings, thank you, yes, no, hello, like that. French people are well educated and in most instances, multi-lingual, but are apprehensive to speak outside of the French language and for good reason. Why should they? It is France, so speak French! : )

Yes, most French people know basic English, so if your wife is in a situation and needs to revert to English, she will have no challenge in finding a sympathetic soul to help her out. However, she should not demand nor expect them to speak English to her. She should open up any request with French and then hopefully things will progress from there.

Secondly, your wife should not expect things in France to be like they are in the US. Things run faster in the US and slower in France. French people are more laid back, and prefer quality over quantity in all things. Thus, service at restaurants will be slower. This may take some getting used to, but there is nothing she can do to change this, so go with the flow and just relax. Appreciate the differences.

Third, your wife may be shocked at how fashion conscious French people are. So coach her into bringing along some nicer clothes than what she may be accustomed to wearing at home in the US. French women often wear heels even if they are just going to the supermarket. Personal pride is highly evident there! They dress more upscale than we do.

I love my sweatsuits and tennis shoes, but whenever I go to France, I opt for a nice pair of slacks, heels, and a sweater. That way, she will blend in, and not draw attention to herself as being 'yet another tourist.'

In summary, your wife can expect to have an AWESOME experience in France if she keeps an open-mind, and embraces the culture and its people.

Rose T

The French do not hate Americans. I'm American, and I have always felt welcome in Paris. The biggest thing for your wife is not to act like she thinks everything in Paris should be just like at home. She should not behave as if everyone speaks English, either. If she doesn't already speak French, she should learn a few basic phrases before she leaves. Things like Bonjour, Bonsoir, s'il vous plait, merci, je ne parle pas francais, parlez-vous anglais?

australianlefebvre

Now this is an interresting question, I would say that the French dislike the ATTITUDE of Americain people in France rather than american people per say. For example it is really offensive to be spoken to in English in France (I find it offensive myself), I you want to have good contact with the French people, try to learn a few words, nothing impossible but just show that you make an effort. And just overall realise that France isn't america, if you ask for a coke in a restaurant and they don't have it, it's not because they hate the americain, it's just that they don't like coke!

? Maminova

you don't have to confuse humanity, friendly and politic... A larg part of french people dislikes the Bush 's politic. But, it doesn't prevent french people to like american people... fortunately!!

you're welcome in France... there isn't xenophobia toward american people... you can sleep in peace!!!

Elliott J

Back home in Texas, just returned from Paris and Normandy coast. I was also there in 1978.

Paris: People are generally more friendly towards Americans than they were in 1978. More realistic, down to earth. They appreciate it when you greet them with bonjour (hello). Just learn a few words, most speak English but appreciate your attempts in using a few French words.

Normandy Coast: Caen, Longes Sur Mer, St. Mer Eglise, Ouesterham, etc. : Area showing economic surge, much nicer and more developed than in 1978, and continue today to be GRATEFUL to Americans for freeing their country in WWII. THEY REMEMBER THIS WELL. Like Parisians, they too appreciate your attempts at greeting them with a few French words.

see my youtube videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR1_XCI9_dU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-hxIo8zLJI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g371G7rRaPA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NWjTTepuKc

dany

I find that with an open mind and an openess into thier culture, they will be open to greet her. As long as she says Pardon, Bonjour, and a few simple words and is a nice person to the french, the French should be nice to her.

Deuce

There's a difference between the American politicians and the French politicians who don't agree right now because of a number of things. However, the general French public is like any other public in any other European country. Usually people are well educated and they enjoy a good life style due to generous social programs.

Aztec276

Its mixed...its the typical Leftist socialists who hate Americans. But Leftist socialist Americans also hate Americans...its a Leftist socialist thing.

Isabelle

Only socialo-communist dislike americans.

Communists and socialists are in medias (Tv,radio) and citizens associations (human rights ......)

There are 40 % socialo-communist in France (PC,PS,Trotskyst)

RIADH S

french people are jalous , they dont liek americans and their life style and their culture in general may be because of langauge ( amercans speak english wich expanded in teh world this last 60 years ago)

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