French?Mmm..?

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mightymite1957

I've been to Paris, I thought the majority of the people were very pleasant, even though I didn't speak much French. I think our attitude has a lot to do with it, I noticed that if I tried to use the simple phrases, to be polite, please, thank you, etc. I got much warmer responses, I think because I was trying. Overall, it was a good experience.

Bi_El

I am French and I've been to US and to Spain.
It is the same everywhere: in the capital or in very touristic places, people are not very welcoming, as when you are in places where "real" people are, they are delighted to see "strangers".
Paris is a special case in France. Try to visit other places like Brittanny.
And I agree with previous answers : try to imagine a French in New York: do you think that americans try to speak French to them ?

Apple Cinnamon

Well, i'm french, and i like to see foreigners in my city. I speak english (not perfectly ok, but i speak it) and i love to talk with people from other countries. The problem is that in Paris, people are not as nice as in the US when you don't know then. You can be foreigner of french, it's the same thing, people won't talk to you if they don't know you, that's it. And if someone looks at you badly that's maybe because he just doesn't understand what you say. You see, if you don't speak french and if the other person doesn't speak english, no one understands...It's probably not about you.
Now please stop saying that we're ugly, it's just a different culture.

SweetMelissa

honestly I'm french and you're right , we don't speak foreign languages that much though I don't see how you can blame us since I've been to the US a thousand times and most ppl didn't speak one word of french or other language either. Anyway, I have to admit, the americans are more friendly than the french . I feel better talking with americans than ppl of my own country . lol

sck007

I LOVE FRANCE and FRENCH PEOPLE!!! My girlfriend and I went last year (we're in our late 30's) our high school French is so rusty but we muddled through Paris and Blois with no problems and people couldn't have been friendlier. Our best time? Hanging out near the chateau in Blois, with our American flag flapping, drinking beer and cheering on the riders in the Tour de France with a whole bunch of French, Swedish, German and American folks. Voulez-vous un bier? Works all the time.

paL

you are telling me that when a person comes to America and cannot speak English and do not attempt to speak English you do not get offended... All the French ask like those in other countries is that you respect them by atleast attempting to communicate with them... They have great passion for the preservation of their language and culture... and take pride in their history... perhaps it does come off as harsh at times but that harshness is in fact French... perhaps Americans come off as rude to them because of their behaviors as well... get over it, stop stereotyping the French people off of your one experience, and learn some French...

ladymarmalade_00

I disagree totally. I have been to France nearly evey year (french originally but live somewhere else). The attitude is changing, with the EU, the influence of TV, tourism and globalization. Twice I took my friend who didnt speak french at all. He made an effort, like ordering "deux cafe creme et deux croissants", with australian accent and all. Every time the response was good humoured and encouraging, even in Paris. Most times, people smiled at his attempts, answered in English and asked where he is from.
If a traveller is obnoxious and impatient, they will get the same back to them.

graywolf810

See how much help one gets in New York City if they start a conversation with a stranger and they only speak French. Get the picture?

nel

I know, I just can't understand why they do. But all French people are not that way. I'm french and I just love English language and American and British cultures. As for speaking other languages I don't agree with you, we do try but it seems that we're not very good at it. You see, at school we have to learn two foreign languages but most of us can only utter one or two words in each. (In my case, my second choice was German and all I can say is stuff like ich bin verliebt zu dich..., how pathetic!)
If you want to e-mail me, just do, I'd be glad to talk to you, and maybe you'll change your mind about French people.
By the way, where are you from?

Count Dracula

french have this thing against English, and their language. even Jacques Chirac admits it. no really he said it on a TV.
i think that they fear we might wipe out french language once and for all and replace it with English and it becomes the language of all Europeans.

johns_mid

yup, sometimes they can be real rude but not all of them, lets not write "plurar". everytime i go, its cool, i know a bit of french and ppl treat me good, just once in a while i find "grumpy" ppl

bubbles

she was just having a bad day. People in France can have them!!!!!!!!!! When you are having a bad day dealing with a foreigner bugging you !!!!!!! now would it!

emma

so? we don't like Bush, he's a rotten president

mjasmin_ht

It's true in part at least, it's a well known fact, French people are rude, ruder than Americans at least especially if you compare them to southern Americans... and even I think it's a matter of culture.

For instance, in Haiti (where I'm from), it's only politeness to greet a person when you come across him, no matter whether it's the first time you see that person in your life or whether you see him everyday, you must greet and it's a big deal if you pass a [Haitian]person without greeting him. But there was a French lady at my school and even though she was our teacher and saw us everyday, she never greeted us when she passed by us in the yard or elsewhere, at most she would stare but never greeted and everyone thought she was rude but it turned out it was not "natural" for her to greet us, Haitian teachers always greet us because it's part of their culture.

sweetmommy

Paris is the same as most big cities. New York is not so friendly either!

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