Iam going to study in france?? i need any advice you can give me about the FRENCH!! especially relationships!?

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parisfornia

There is so much crap going around about how rude the French are etc etc... It's one of the American media best pastime. Totally ridiculous. Unfortunately, it sells, especially among people who don't know better. I hope you don't buy into it. Most people are so convinced of it that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you LOOK for rudeness anywhere and everywhere, you'll find it eventually. Be polite, make an effort to speak the language or apologize for not speaking it very well and people will go out their way to show you kindness. Also, observe and learn local customs and, try to fit in. People are people and some will be nice and some not so nice. That's true whether you're downtown Paris or downtown Beijing!

As for your question on relationships, as a student, you're bound to meet lots of potential relationship material almost effortlessly. I believe you're female? I'm going to generalize a bit, but what you want to do is flirt BUT play hard to get at the same time. Guys will fall for that. Be style conscious. Casual can be chic. Don't be a cultural dimwit. Parisians are born in the best art, museums, literature, etc. Take at least a slight interest in culture. Starting out with a friend or two that you can trust, to break you in the social scene can be a big help. Just my opinions...

Andreji

the previous poster has a very ignorant view of what things are like.

remember quantity >>> not the same as quality.

Anyway, the french are fairly easygoing people as long as you acknowledge their culture. parisians are a bit rougher, speak much faster and much more slang (parigot) and are harder to break into. the people from outside of paris (it's fairly centralised) tend to be more calm and open- in relationship terms (they tend to be more politically closed than parisians).

Odds are if you're in paris you won't be limited to parisians, either. so many foreigners there you'll meet dozens of nationalities.

be careful about political discussions with the 68ards ;-) that's your average 45 y/o that took part in the 1968 student revolution. they're the ones who made paris more open and more artisty (in the a modern way of speaking), but can get agitated to defend their ideals.

Meeting people at first is hard but there's plenty of places you can do that (that I know of, in Paris). once you break in they're quite kind. they like a more easy-going ambience (they're into the apero- 6pm drink, lounge bars, jeux de societe evenings, etc).

heck, if only one could prove how much of the usual bollocks people say about the french...but that's when you shouldn't behave like the ignorant american/french/german/ whatever, because if you do- and you say you're american/fr/german/etc- that's when you don't want to be one.

remember, acknowledge the culture and break right in.

miss_jojo

I'm sorry but Lursa5's suggestion is one of the silliest I've come across here - France is NOT downtown Bagdad, and besides, most will assume you're American anyway by your accent - even if you are Canadian.

Congratulations on going to study in France, I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time and meet lots of interesting people. As the other 2 respondents have said, you get from a relationship what you put into it, and this also applies to the French, who, contrary to what some journalists would have you believe, are not all wife-swapping, snail-munching, tourist-despising Froggies...

I lived in Strasbourg for 4 years, and worked all over France. Here's what I think I learned:

-It helps to speak the language, or at least make an attempt. Ask people for help with words, reading etc. also a good way to strike up a conversation
- don't ask relative strangers about their salary, politics, and how much they paid for their house/car/liposuction
- use the polite form with those who are older - politeness goes a long way.
- social life takes place out of the house, so invite people for an informal lunch or a coffee if you want to get to know them. Sports and outdoor pursuits are also good for meeting different people. Once you do know them, invite them for dinner at your house.

As for relationships: everybody is different, but I'm sure most people appreciate it if you treat them with respect, listen, and make sure you're good company!

Roadfish

Where are you going to study? Big cities, big city problems and advantages, small town likewise small town problems and advantages. Having studied in France, and currently living in France, I can say that you get out of the relationships, what you put in. Being low key and trying to speak French will go a lot farther than being too "American".

Lursa5

Don't EVER admit you're American. If someone asks, you are FROM CANADA. It's just not safe to be an American abroad these days

justawomenjustagirl

First it is very safe to travel in France as an american ,people might snub you,however people snub you in your own country so...??Have fun and just be yourself...

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