Can anyone describe 'the French' to me???

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beautiful sadness

If you ever need a favour from a French person, ask them in the early afternoon. The entire nation appears to be in a bad mood until they have eaten their lunch.

Pastor Dave

Compared to other countries, they are very well educated, but quite attached to stability and resistant to change. They see themselves as an alternative Western civilisation, presenting the world with an option other than Americanization.

obeirn1

can you describe why you would have a gherkin in your ear? Seems even stranger that the French

yvanderstockt

Fransen zijn 'stijf', egoistisch, en super chauvinistisch. Maar in het zuiden zijn ze zeer temperamentvol en vrijgevig.

mary_oconnor76

Cynical, expressive, snobbish.

Snowy

They are a bizzare series of contradictions.

The French are extremely nationalistic and proud of their country, flag, and way of life, yet were one of the main forces in the development of the European superstate which is currently destroying national identities.

They support the European government which makes stupid laws for all of Europe to follow, but take no notice of those laws whiuch they don't like.

They sneer at food from other countries yet you will find far more variety and cooking styles in London or New York than you will ever find in Paris.

Their modern constitution is based on socilaist republican principles of fairness and equality, yet they are one of the few European powers who still maintain colonies, and have been ruthless and violent in those.

They pursue policies of peace, yet have the largest armed forces in Europe and a nuclear deterant. Their secret service was famously responsible for blowing up the greenpeace ship.

It is not unusual to sit next to someone in a restaurant in France who is not only smoking whilst they eat, but may also have a little dog stuffed down their coat.

Their economy is heavilly subsidised and their workers still like going on strike a lot.

They don't like the English, but we are ok with that. Its a compliment.

bellefemme

I have not met them all and therefore unable to comment.

megalomaniac

Trying to describe an entire cultural group in a few words is always problematic but that won't stop me. Depending on how they are applied, stereotypes can be hurtful but they can also be insightful. (cliches often contain some truth)

I'm from Canada where we have a mix of French and English cultures (and many other cultures) so it is doubly dangerous for me to comment on 'the French' but then again I get to see first-hand the differences between French and English culture and it sticks out like bold relief.

In my experience 'the French' love: wine, sex, art, music, food, dirty politics, sport and their own language (you decide the order) 'The French' hate: fast-food, lack of style... well, they dislike lots of things but mostly they are pissed off at the rest of the world for not making them a world power and are insanely jealous that English is the de-facto world language and not French.

Having said that and having had a French girlfriend, I say "vive la difference". Where would the world be without a good French wine to wash it all down?

hlsf3

I have visited several French families outside of Paris in the Southwest near Bordeaux and in the region called the Lot (after the river) and in the Northeast near Alsace. These families were hospitable and a lot of fun. One thing to know about the French, especially outside of Paris is that if they like you they become very bonded as opposed to Americans who are cooler. The French really are Mediterranean. All the people I have met in France have gone out of their way to help me as a tourist and to show me around, even when they were very busy with their own lives. The French (to generalize) love to joke and smile. If you understand their language you would find that their jokes are often risque, but more subtle and clever than broad American sexual humor. That doesn't mean they are more sexual than Americans. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that the French are more family oriented and less promiscuous than Americans, though they are more flirtations. They like flirting for fun.
You also have to understand that their educational system, though under great stress now and reduced in quality from what it was 15 years ago, is still way ahead of American education. The people you meet might get very bored with the typical American lack of knowledge about the world and basic facts.
The U.S. State Department is now including with passports a little brochure that asks American travelers to be less loud and less sure that America is number 1 in all things and to listen more.
The French, especially the children are quieter and better behaved than Americans.
On the downside, the stereotypes often don't hold: most French people don't eat the great food you get in French restaurants, they eat simply and more like us with the exception of more duck than chicken. Most of them don't know much about wine or about their own history and literature. They are also beginning to smoke much less.

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