Is it true that french people are generally too proud?

Show all answers

citrusy

I don't think they are proud, they are just comfortable with their own culture and language. You would be at a loss for words if you don't speak French in France. Some of the French, especially those in the outskirts of the city don't speak English at all. So don't expect to be served well or get a good reply from these people if you speak to them in English.

Rillifane

I'm not sure what "too proud" is supposed to signify.

The French are certainly proud of their culture and the many contributions they have made to science, philosophy and the arts.

I suspect that what most Americans have a problem with, aside from politics, is the fact that the French are a more formal and reserved people than Americans. The easy familiarity that characterizes Americans is regarded as crude and uncouth by the French. Americans see French reserve as aloofness or hostility.

Sadly, another problem is that Americans tend to be unable to speak any language besides English and are convinced that everyone else in the world is obligated to speak it. While more Frenchman speak English than Americans speak French the fact is that many French don't speak English nor have any desire to learn. Some Americans are stupid enough to regard this as a terrible insult. You'll notice there are already two answers posted that are clearly from such fools.

Suzeee

No... they're not too proud. Ok, Parisians tend to have a sense of superiority compared to the rest of the country and may be slightly offhand with Americans (or people of any other nationality) who think that the whole world should speak THEIR language. I live in the Dordogne and the people here are really friendly and interested in meeting people from other countries. My advice is to learn a few phrases in French before you go (if you don't already speak French) and make an effort to speak their language. A "bonjour" with a big smile will help things along, no problem ! Bon voyage !

vivi in gre

oh please stop with this!!! i am french and of course, like you we are proud of some things! But you can't say it could be a problem to come in france! Of course some people don't speak english, but it is not to bother you like a lot of americans seem to believe! I would be very curious to know the rate of americans who speak french?
Really, you can't take this into account to come in France, this is a wonderful country to visit! and if french people don't speak english it is not because of being proud!
Enjoy France!!!

josephlincolnlordstanley

Please don't listen to people who have been ferried on a coach accross Europe over a week and think they know it all...

Overall, the French are neither more nor less proud than other nations. They tend to be sensitive and don't mind speaking their mind, though, so, unlike the Dutch, for instance who are far more reserved, the French will let you know how they feel when they get shouted at in a foreign language.
Be discrete and humble, try to learn a bit of the language and customs (common greetings always help), otherwise, be polite, respectuous ofthings that seem weird or that you don't understand (there might be a few) and keep on smiling and I can safely guarantee a very enjoyable stay.
I hope this helps,
f.

smile_: )

I have been to Paris and find that the people there are generally nice and polite. Maybe I was lucky then to meet those nice souls!

It is always helpful to learn abit of French before you get there. They speak English but not all.

Dismiss the thought they are proud and just enjoy the trip. Going with a prejudice mind is not a good idea : )

wilimut

Hello,
I'm 15, french, and i came in sydney to learn english.
I was very surprise to see that people here aren't very nice with french... Of course, it's not a generalisation but, i don't speak good english and when i try to buy something or to have a piece of advice, sometimes, it's very difficult because people doesn't want to lose their time if they don't understand me.
I think it's the same problem in france. When somebody come and try to speak with you but he doesn't speak french and you're very busy, it's difficult for you to aren't proud...

Sorry for my mistakes, i just learn englis since two months...

MarionV

It's not because French people don't speak English with tourists that they are too proud of their language!!

I would not say that french people don't speak English. Actually at the age of 12 we HAVE to learn English (no choice!).
But we are scared of speaking English, we're sometimes shy.
So when tourists ask something to French people, they often get the answer "I can't speak English". French people think tourists are going to make fun of their accent.

And beside that, maybe that French people are not very "friendly" at the first sight, but they are very nice when you get the chance to know them. It's true that Parisian are known to be proud, even in the rest of France and not only in foreign countries. But when you live there you realize that it's not really true.

Parisian life is not an easy one, people spend their time in the metro (and that's for sure not a nice place) so maybe tourists should understand that it's normal not be smiling all the time.

Jminiz

Bonjour !

'' I went to France and didn't like it : I found it way too French ... '' Little Britain

When you say proud I guess you mean ''arrogant''. I hear it all the time about French people. I'm French, now living in Australia and I was amazed to see that ''arrogant'' is one of the first words people actually come up with when thinking about French people.

Most of us just don't speak English or are ashamed of our pronunciation. It's not that we don't want to learn English ... not at all.

So no no no no no no, we're not arrogant ! We are ..... different. Isn't that one of the reasons why you want to go abroad ? To see different habits, a different culture ?

I'm sure you'll have a great time there ! Learn some French and she'll be right mate !!! :-)

Bon voyage! ;-)

catherine i

Hi from France !

Oh nooo ... !o! .... Don't generalize !! Sometimes only, as everywhere in the world, that's all ...( Don't worry)

Have a nice day and welcome to France !

Catherine.

Saby

Well, we cant say that about everyone now can we? but my aunt lives in France, and she grew a bit proud over the years i must say. When i went to France over the holidays, they were proud too, don't speak English even if they knew. But i still think that we shouldn't say that about everyone.

larry

Yes we are proud but also we are naughty , drunkard , stupid , robber , crazy , ungrateful and we eat snails ; don't forget the frogs that we eat too ; incredible no ? I wanted just to say you something we love America and American peoples in France so you come when you want and welcome to you , we aren't monsters . You see my English is not very well but i try to answer you . Bonjour de Paris my friend.

jose

PROUD?! a**holes is more like it. went there a few years ago and wish we had gone to Italy instead. rude and unfriendly, American hating nazis. I tried to be nice because I was in someone elses coountry. parley vous engless? non! non! good luck

GuZZiZZit

Yea, french people way way too full of themselves. Heres a hint, Paris smells like urine!!! The only reasone artists live there is because the rent is cheap. Plus, french never take a bath and they eat snails. Avoid france at all cost.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: