The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
Dec 12th 2002, 7:01 pm
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of my
life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they specifically
hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly hospitable toward the
British and the Germans I ran into.
I do not speak any French and this was a definite obstacle, but was told by
my travel agent that most French know English. I hear many talking English,
but anyone I talked to seemed to "forget" their English very quickly. Most
restaurants I ate in I did not get what I was expecting or it was completely
different than the waiter would explain it to me. (Assuming I found one that
admitted to knowing English) I did not find the food that particularly
appetizing either, despite it's renown.
If I asked directions from anyone they often smirked at me and threw their
hands up before going on their merry little way. When I tried to find the
ballet, one couple just kept trying to send me to the Eiffel Tower as if
that's all us uncultured and stupid Americans would be interested in.
If tourism is so important to the French economy, I would think that their
people would be a little more welcoming and accommodating to foreigners.
The icing on the cake came three days into my trip when I was walking by the
Seine during the night and was robbed and beaten by two thugs. This can
happen anywhere and I certainly wouldn't blame France for that, but the
authorities gave me the same smirking reaction when they saw my black eye
and acted as though it was my fault for being a stupid Americanand wanting
to walk around their city at night.
I know how France is romanticized and has been for years, but I wanted to
tell you the reality is a little bit different. I'm tired of the
anit-Americanism that occurs and is accepted as the norm around the world.
the common American citizen has nothing to do with the qualms most countries
have with ours and if their citizens weren't so ignorant they would possibly
be able to rationalize that.
France was the worst case scenario of anti-Americanism for me. I would
strongly recommend against any of my fellow countrymen or women spending any
of their hard earned money for the romance of Paris.
Jade
life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they specifically
hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly hospitable toward the
British and the Germans I ran into.
I do not speak any French and this was a definite obstacle, but was told by
my travel agent that most French know English. I hear many talking English,
but anyone I talked to seemed to "forget" their English very quickly. Most
restaurants I ate in I did not get what I was expecting or it was completely
different than the waiter would explain it to me. (Assuming I found one that
admitted to knowing English) I did not find the food that particularly
appetizing either, despite it's renown.
If I asked directions from anyone they often smirked at me and threw their
hands up before going on their merry little way. When I tried to find the
ballet, one couple just kept trying to send me to the Eiffel Tower as if
that's all us uncultured and stupid Americans would be interested in.
If tourism is so important to the French economy, I would think that their
people would be a little more welcoming and accommodating to foreigners.
The icing on the cake came three days into my trip when I was walking by the
Seine during the night and was robbed and beaten by two thugs. This can
happen anywhere and I certainly wouldn't blame France for that, but the
authorities gave me the same smirking reaction when they saw my black eye
and acted as though it was my fault for being a stupid Americanand wanting
to walk around their city at night.
I know how France is romanticized and has been for years, but I wanted to
tell you the reality is a little bit different. I'm tired of the
anit-Americanism that occurs and is accepted as the norm around the world.
the common American citizen has nothing to do with the qualms most countries
have with ours and if their citizens weren't so ignorant they would possibly
be able to rationalize that.
France was the worst case scenario of anti-Americanism for me. I would
strongly recommend against any of my fellow countrymen or women spending any
of their hard earned money for the romance of Paris.
Jade
Dec 12th 2002, 7:25 pm
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
"Jade" wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of
> my life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they
> specifically hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly
> hospitable toward the British and the Germans I ran into.
>
Wake up.
If a Frenchman came to Idaho, walked into Burger King and spoke only French
do you think he would be treated with respect?
No
You are very naive, or extremely arrogant, if you think that wherever you
go you will find English speakers.
Perhaps if you took the trouble to learn just a few phrases of French then
you would be treated with respect.
I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing myself by
laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
As for the mugging. Any city in the world is a dangerous place if you go
out at night. Again, you show a level of naivity here. The authorities did
not think that you were stupid because you were American. Just stupid
period.
--
[email protected]
BMW R1150GS
news:[email protected]:
> Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of
> my life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they
> specifically hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly
> hospitable toward the British and the Germans I ran into.
>
Wake up.
If a Frenchman came to Idaho, walked into Burger King and spoke only French
do you think he would be treated with respect?
No
You are very naive, or extremely arrogant, if you think that wherever you
go you will find English speakers.
Perhaps if you took the trouble to learn just a few phrases of French then
you would be treated with respect.
I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing myself by
laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
As for the mugging. Any city in the world is a dangerous place if you go
out at night. Again, you show a level of naivity here. The authorities did
not think that you were stupid because you were American. Just stupid
period.
--
[email protected]
BMW R1150GS
Dec 12th 2002, 8:02 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
On 12 Dec 2002 20:25:23 GMT, in rec.travel.europe, wessie arranged
some electrons, so they looked like this :
... I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
... French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing myself by
... laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
They don't laugh, they just can't suppress a smile. They react the same way to Belgians,
Canadians and other French-speakers, let me tell you.
For me, at least, a foreigner who speaks a little French sounds as cute as a baby learning
to talk - but they are not babies, so I switch to English before the both of us get
embarrassed !
=======
Princess, having had sufficient experience with Princes, seeks Frog.
some electrons, so they looked like this :
... I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
... French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing myself by
... laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
They don't laugh, they just can't suppress a smile. They react the same way to Belgians,
Canadians and other French-speakers, let me tell you.
For me, at least, a foreigner who speaks a little French sounds as cute as a baby learning
to talk - but they are not babies, so I switch to English before the both of us get
embarrassed !
=======
Princess, having had sufficient experience with Princes, seeks Frog.
Dec 12th 2002, 8:06 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
"Magda" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 12 Dec 2002 20:25:23 GMT, in rec.travel.europe, wessie
arranged
> some electrons, so they looked like this :
> ... I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
> ... French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing
myself by
> ... laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
> They don't laugh, they just can't suppress a smile. They react the same
way to Belgians,
> Canadians and other French-speakers, let me tell you.
> For me, at least, a foreigner who speaks a little French sounds as cute as
a baby learning
> to talk - but they are not babies, so I switch to English before the both
of us get
> embarrassed !
It's completely insulting. I don't smirk at my Russian or Mexican neighbors
when they foul up a sentence or phrase. A little understanding is parochial.
Jade
--
Who can know all languages?
news:[email protected]...
> On 12 Dec 2002 20:25:23 GMT, in rec.travel.europe, wessie
arranged
> some electrons, so they looked like this :
> ... I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
> ... French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing
myself by
> ... laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
> They don't laugh, they just can't suppress a smile. They react the same
way to Belgians,
> Canadians and other French-speakers, let me tell you.
> For me, at least, a foreigner who speaks a little French sounds as cute as
a baby learning
> to talk - but they are not babies, so I switch to English before the both
of us get
> embarrassed !
It's completely insulting. I don't smirk at my Russian or Mexican neighbors
when they foul up a sentence or phrase. A little understanding is parochial.
Jade
--
Who can know all languages?
Dec 12th 2002, 8:07 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
In news:[email protected], wessie wrote:
> "Jade" wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>> Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst
time
>> of my life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe
they
>> specifically hated Americans, because I saw them being
perfectly
>> hospitable toward the British and the Germans I ran into.
> Wake up.
> If a Frenchman came to Idaho, walked into Burger King and spoke
only
> French do you think he would be treated with respect?
Moreover, generalization about "the French," based on experience
with Parisians, are very much inappropriate. Someone visiting the
US is likely to get a very different picture of what Americans
are like if he only visited New York, as compared to visiting a
small town in the midwest.
--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup
> "Jade" wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>> Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst
time
>> of my life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe
they
>> specifically hated Americans, because I saw them being
perfectly
>> hospitable toward the British and the Germans I ran into.
> Wake up.
> If a Frenchman came to Idaho, walked into Burger King and spoke
only
> French do you think he would be treated with respect?
Moreover, generalization about "the French," based on experience
with Parisians, are very much inappropriate. Someone visiting the
US is likely to get a very different picture of what Americans
are like if he only visited New York, as compared to visiting a
small town in the midwest.
--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup
Dec 12th 2002, 8:19 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
Agreed. The French believe it is extemely rude (for anyone, not just
Americans) to travel to a foreign country and refuse to learn a few words of
the local language. So everytime an American tries to demand service in
English (in France), the Frenchman is thinking to himself, "what a rude person
this is!"
Here is a perfect example: I have friends who made some off-color remark
about the "typically rude French." I asked what promted them to say this.
They said, "We went to a nice restaurant in Paris for lunch, but the maitre'd
said all the tables were reserved, even though they were empty. When I
insisted that we be seated, we were given a horrible table in the back behind
a wooden screen where we were cut off from the rest of the restaurant."
I probed by friend by asking if he attempted to speak any French whatsoever.
He said no, not a syllable. (Mistake #1: Refusing to learn even three or
four words of French is considered rude by the French -- see my comment
above.)
Then, I pointed out to my friend that Parisiens normally make reservations for
lunch. Even groups of office workers going out to a casual lunch will call
ahead to reserve. I've found many modest restaurants in Paris to be empty at
noon by completey full by 12:30 PM, and all those people called ahead to
reserve a table. This is a standard Parisian custom. (Mistake #2: My
friends were ignorant of the French custom of reserving a table, even for
lunch. If they had bothered to educate themselves about the local customs,
they would have 1.) realized that the maitre'd was not lying or rude when he
said all the tables were reserved and 2.) they would have known enough to call
ahead for a reservation at this restaurant.)
Finally, I asked what they were wearing. The answer? Shorts and a tank top.
I asked my friend if he saw anyone else at the restaurant in shorts and tank
tops. (The answer: no.) (Mistake #3: The French consider tank tops and
shorts appropriate for the beach but not for the city. No one in any culture
wants to see your hairy armpits while they're eating lunch. If my friends had
dressed appropriately, they might have gotten a better table despite the lack
of a reservation.)
Frankly, I think this restaurant was unusually kind to my friends by giving
them a table at all!
And yet, my friends left the restaurant with same tired old refrain about the
"typically rude French," while the maitre'd probably commented to the other
staff about the "typically ignorant Americans."
Who's the rude party here? My American friends with their refusal to learn a
syllable of French, their utter ignorance of French customs and their penchant
for showing up dressed like Hulk Hogan? Or the matre'd of this restaurant who
accommodated my friends despite these problems? Personally, I think my
friends where ignorant and rude, and yet they'll spread the gospel about the
rude French, as if they had done nothing wrong.
Whenever I hear Americans referring to the "typically rude French," I dig for
details, and more often than not, I find gems like this.
Richard
wessie wrote:
> "Jade" wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
> > Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of
> > my life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they
> > specifically hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly
> > hospitable toward the British and the Germans I ran into.
> >
> Wake up.
> If a Frenchman came to Idaho, walked into Burger King and spoke only French
> do you think he would be treated with respect?
> No
> You are very naive, or extremely arrogant, if you think that wherever you
> go you will find English speakers.
> Perhaps if you took the trouble to learn just a few phrases of French then
> you would be treated with respect.
> I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
> French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing myself by
> laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
> As for the mugging. Any city in the world is a dangerous place if you go
> out at night. Again, you show a level of naivity here. The authorities did
> not think that you were stupid because you were American. Just stupid
> period.
> --
> [email protected]
> BMW R1150GS
Americans) to travel to a foreign country and refuse to learn a few words of
the local language. So everytime an American tries to demand service in
English (in France), the Frenchman is thinking to himself, "what a rude person
this is!"
Here is a perfect example: I have friends who made some off-color remark
about the "typically rude French." I asked what promted them to say this.
They said, "We went to a nice restaurant in Paris for lunch, but the maitre'd
said all the tables were reserved, even though they were empty. When I
insisted that we be seated, we were given a horrible table in the back behind
a wooden screen where we were cut off from the rest of the restaurant."
I probed by friend by asking if he attempted to speak any French whatsoever.
He said no, not a syllable. (Mistake #1: Refusing to learn even three or
four words of French is considered rude by the French -- see my comment
above.)
Then, I pointed out to my friend that Parisiens normally make reservations for
lunch. Even groups of office workers going out to a casual lunch will call
ahead to reserve. I've found many modest restaurants in Paris to be empty at
noon by completey full by 12:30 PM, and all those people called ahead to
reserve a table. This is a standard Parisian custom. (Mistake #2: My
friends were ignorant of the French custom of reserving a table, even for
lunch. If they had bothered to educate themselves about the local customs,
they would have 1.) realized that the maitre'd was not lying or rude when he
said all the tables were reserved and 2.) they would have known enough to call
ahead for a reservation at this restaurant.)
Finally, I asked what they were wearing. The answer? Shorts and a tank top.
I asked my friend if he saw anyone else at the restaurant in shorts and tank
tops. (The answer: no.) (Mistake #3: The French consider tank tops and
shorts appropriate for the beach but not for the city. No one in any culture
wants to see your hairy armpits while they're eating lunch. If my friends had
dressed appropriately, they might have gotten a better table despite the lack
of a reservation.)
Frankly, I think this restaurant was unusually kind to my friends by giving
them a table at all!
And yet, my friends left the restaurant with same tired old refrain about the
"typically rude French," while the maitre'd probably commented to the other
staff about the "typically ignorant Americans."
Who's the rude party here? My American friends with their refusal to learn a
syllable of French, their utter ignorance of French customs and their penchant
for showing up dressed like Hulk Hogan? Or the matre'd of this restaurant who
accommodated my friends despite these problems? Personally, I think my
friends where ignorant and rude, and yet they'll spread the gospel about the
rude French, as if they had done nothing wrong.
Whenever I hear Americans referring to the "typically rude French," I dig for
details, and more often than not, I find gems like this.
Richard
wessie wrote:
> "Jade" wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
> > Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of
> > my life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they
> > specifically hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly
> > hospitable toward the British and the Germans I ran into.
> >
> Wake up.
> If a Frenchman came to Idaho, walked into Burger King and spoke only French
> do you think he would be treated with respect?
> No
> You are very naive, or extremely arrogant, if you think that wherever you
> go you will find English speakers.
> Perhaps if you took the trouble to learn just a few phrases of French then
> you would be treated with respect.
> I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
> French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing myself by
> laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
> As for the mugging. Any city in the world is a dangerous place if you go
> out at night. Again, you show a level of naivity here. The authorities did
> not think that you were stupid because you were American. Just stupid
> period.
> --
> [email protected]
> BMW R1150GS
Dec 12th 2002, 8:22 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
In article ,
"Jade" wrote:
> Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of my
> life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they specifically
> hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly hospitable toward the
> British and the Germans I ran into.
>
> I do not speak any French and this was a definite obstacle, but was told by
> my travel agent that most French know English. I hear many talking English,
> but anyone I talked to seemed to "forget" their English very quickly. Most
> restaurants I ate in I did not get what I was expecting or it was completely
> different than the waiter would explain it to me. (Assuming I found one that
> admitted to knowing English) I did not find the food that particularly
> appetizing either, despite it's renown.
>
> If I asked directions from anyone they often smirked at me and threw their
> hands up before going on their merry little way. When I tried to find the
> ballet, one couple just kept trying to send me to the Eiffel Tower as if
> that's all us uncultured and stupid Americans would be interested in.
>
> If tourism is so important to the French economy, I would think that their
> people would be a little more welcoming and accommodating to foreigners.
>
> The icing on the cake came three days into my trip when I was walking by the
> Seine during the night and was robbed and beaten by two thugs. This can
> happen anywhere and I certainly wouldn't blame France for that, but the
> authorities gave me the same smirking reaction when they saw my black eye
> and acted as though it was my fault for being a stupid Americanand wanting
> to walk around their city at night.
>
> I know how France is romanticized and has been for years, but I wanted to
> tell you the reality is a little bit different. I'm tired of the
> anit-Americanism that occurs and is accepted as the norm around the world.
> the common American citizen has nothing to do with the qualms most countries
> have with ours and if their citizens weren't so ignorant they would possibly
> be able to rationalize that.
>
> France was the worst case scenario of anti-Americanism for me. I would
> strongly recommend against any of my fellow countrymen or women spending any
> of their hard earned money for the romance of Paris.
>
> Jade
>
>
>
a minimum requirement for a polite traveler is to know some of the
language -- you may not be able to converse in French but you need to be
able to greet people politely in their language, ask them if they can
speak English and display some gratitude if they do. It is arrogant to
think otherwise. I have no ear for French at all and have generally had
to rely on their good graces and pantomime -- but have rarely
encountered people who were rude -- most were very helpful including an
old man who spoke not a word of English but pantomimed directions on a
dark road in the rain one night as we tried to find our hotel --
I have had hoteliers fetch me towels, passersby tell me how to find the
bakery etc etc with only my minimal French courtesies and pantomime
skills.
[of course I am sure they may occasionally discuss me with amusement in
a language I can't understand -- but so long as they are polite to my
face --
"Jade" wrote:
> Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of my
> life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they specifically
> hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly hospitable toward the
> British and the Germans I ran into.
>
> I do not speak any French and this was a definite obstacle, but was told by
> my travel agent that most French know English. I hear many talking English,
> but anyone I talked to seemed to "forget" their English very quickly. Most
> restaurants I ate in I did not get what I was expecting or it was completely
> different than the waiter would explain it to me. (Assuming I found one that
> admitted to knowing English) I did not find the food that particularly
> appetizing either, despite it's renown.
>
> If I asked directions from anyone they often smirked at me and threw their
> hands up before going on their merry little way. When I tried to find the
> ballet, one couple just kept trying to send me to the Eiffel Tower as if
> that's all us uncultured and stupid Americans would be interested in.
>
> If tourism is so important to the French economy, I would think that their
> people would be a little more welcoming and accommodating to foreigners.
>
> The icing on the cake came three days into my trip when I was walking by the
> Seine during the night and was robbed and beaten by two thugs. This can
> happen anywhere and I certainly wouldn't blame France for that, but the
> authorities gave me the same smirking reaction when they saw my black eye
> and acted as though it was my fault for being a stupid Americanand wanting
> to walk around their city at night.
>
> I know how France is romanticized and has been for years, but I wanted to
> tell you the reality is a little bit different. I'm tired of the
> anit-Americanism that occurs and is accepted as the norm around the world.
> the common American citizen has nothing to do with the qualms most countries
> have with ours and if their citizens weren't so ignorant they would possibly
> be able to rationalize that.
>
> France was the worst case scenario of anti-Americanism for me. I would
> strongly recommend against any of my fellow countrymen or women spending any
> of their hard earned money for the romance of Paris.
>
> Jade
>
>
>
a minimum requirement for a polite traveler is to know some of the
language -- you may not be able to converse in French but you need to be
able to greet people politely in their language, ask them if they can
speak English and display some gratitude if they do. It is arrogant to
think otherwise. I have no ear for French at all and have generally had
to rely on their good graces and pantomime -- but have rarely
encountered people who were rude -- most were very helpful including an
old man who spoke not a word of English but pantomimed directions on a
dark road in the rain one night as we tried to find our hotel --
I have had hoteliers fetch me towels, passersby tell me how to find the
bakery etc etc with only my minimal French courtesies and pantomime
skills.
[of course I am sure they may occasionally discuss me with amusement in
a language I can't understand -- but so long as they are polite to my
face --
Dec 12th 2002, 8:23 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
In article ,
"Jade" wrote:
> "Magda" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > On 12 Dec 2002 20:25:23 GMT, in rec.travel.europe, wessie
> arranged
> > some electrons, so they looked like this :
> >
> > ... I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
> > ... French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing
> myself by
> > ... laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
> >
> > They don't laugh, they just can't suppress a smile. They react the same
> way to Belgians,
> > Canadians and other French-speakers, let me tell you.
> >
> > For me, at least, a foreigner who speaks a little French sounds as cute as
> a baby learning
> > to talk - but they are not babies, so I switch to English before the both
> of us get
> > embarrassed !
>
> It's completely insulting. I don't smirk at my Russian or Mexican neighbors
> when they foul up a sentence or phrase. A little understanding is parochial.
>
> Jade
> --
> Who can know all languages?
>
>
anyone going to the trouble to travel somewhere can learn enough to be
polite
"Jade" wrote:
> "Magda" wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > On 12 Dec 2002 20:25:23 GMT, in rec.travel.europe, wessie
> arranged
> > some electrons, so they looked like this :
> >
> > ... I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
> > ... French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing
> myself by
> > ... laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
> >
> > They don't laugh, they just can't suppress a smile. They react the same
> way to Belgians,
> > Canadians and other French-speakers, let me tell you.
> >
> > For me, at least, a foreigner who speaks a little French sounds as cute as
> a baby learning
> > to talk - but they are not babies, so I switch to English before the both
> of us get
> > embarrassed !
>
> It's completely insulting. I don't smirk at my Russian or Mexican neighbors
> when they foul up a sentence or phrase. A little understanding is parochial.
>
> Jade
> --
> Who can know all languages?
>
>
anyone going to the trouble to travel somewhere can learn enough to be
polite
Dec 12th 2002, 8:26 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
"Ken Blake" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Moreover, generalization about "the French," based on experience
> with Parisians, are very much inappropriate.
In a French-language travel group I read there have been "winks" and "nods"
about the "gracious" nature of Parisiens ... and the writers were French
themselves.
My command of spoken French is extremely poor, yet I've never run into the
types of situations the OP mentioned ... on amore than a dozen visits to
Paris.
news:[email protected]...
> Moreover, generalization about "the French," based on experience
> with Parisians, are very much inappropriate.
In a French-language travel group I read there have been "winks" and "nods"
about the "gracious" nature of Parisiens ... and the writers were French
themselves.
My command of spoken French is extremely poor, yet I've never run into the
types of situations the OP mentioned ... on amore than a dozen visits to
Paris.
Dec 12th 2002, 8:44 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
Richard Price wrote:
> Agreed. The French believe it is extemely rude (for anyone, not just
> Americans) to travel to a foreign country and refuse to learn a few words of
> the local language.
I dunno about that. I've seen my share of French folks in faraway places
expecting to get by on French and somewhere between angry and surprised when
it didn't work out. My French ain't hot but I've served as interpreter for
these people on more than one occasion (not following them around with an
earphone, but translating at a ticket counter or some other situation where
they were just not having any luck).
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
New mini photo-feature: Life in DC: http://travel.u.nu/dc/
> Agreed. The French believe it is extemely rude (for anyone, not just
> Americans) to travel to a foreign country and refuse to learn a few words of
> the local language.
I dunno about that. I've seen my share of French folks in faraway places
expecting to get by on French and somewhere between angry and surprised when
it didn't work out. My French ain't hot but I've served as interpreter for
these people on more than one occasion (not following them around with an
earphone, but translating at a ticket counter or some other situation where
they were just not having any luck).
miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
New mini photo-feature: Life in DC: http://travel.u.nu/dc/
Dec 12th 2002, 8:54 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
"Jenn" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article ,
> "Jade" wrote:
> > Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of
my
> > life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they
specifically
> > hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly hospitable toward
the
> > British and the Germans I ran into.
> >
> > I do not speak any French and this was a definite obstacle, but was told
by
> > my travel agent that most French know English. I hear many talking
English,
> > but anyone I talked to seemed to "forget" their English very quickly.
Most
> > restaurants I ate in I did not get what I was expecting or it was
completely
> > different than the waiter would explain it to me. (Assuming I found one
that
> > admitted to knowing English) I did not find the food that particularly
> > appetizing either, despite it's renown.
> >
> > If I asked directions from anyone they often smirked at me and threw
their
> > hands up before going on their merry little way. When I tried to find
the
> > ballet, one couple just kept trying to send me to the Eiffel Tower as if
> > that's all us uncultured and stupid Americans would be interested in.
> >
> > If tourism is so important to the French economy, I would think that
their
> > people would be a little more welcoming and accommodating to foreigners.
> >
> > The icing on the cake came three days into my trip when I was walking by
the
> > Seine during the night and was robbed and beaten by two thugs. This can
> > happen anywhere and I certainly wouldn't blame France for that, but the
> > authorities gave me the same smirking reaction when they saw my black
eye
> > and acted as though it was my fault for being a stupid Americanand
wanting
> > to walk around their city at night.
> >
> > I know how France is romanticized and has been for years, but I wanted
to
> > tell you the reality is a little bit different. I'm tired of the
> > anit-Americanism that occurs and is accepted as the norm around the
world.
> > the common American citizen has nothing to do with the qualms most
countries
> > have with ours and if their citizens weren't so ignorant they would
possibly
> > be able to rationalize that.
> >
> > France was the worst case scenario of anti-Americanism for me. I would
> > strongly recommend against any of my fellow countrymen or women spending
any
> > of their hard earned money for the romance of Paris.
> >
> > Jade
> >
> >
> >
> a minimum requirement for a polite traveler is to know some of the
> language -- you may not be able to converse in French but you need to be
> able to greet people politely in their language, ask them if they can
> speak English and display some gratitude if they do. It is arrogant to
> think otherwise. I have no ear for French at all and have generally had
> to rely on their good graces and pantomime -- but have rarely
> encountered people who were rude -- most were very helpful including an
> old man who spoke not a word of English but pantomimed directions on a
> dark road in the rain one night as we tried to find our hotel --
> I have had hoteliers fetch me towels, passersby tell me how to find the
> bakery etc etc with only my minimal French courtesies and pantomime
> skills.
> [of course I am sure they may occasionally discuss me with amusement in
> a language I can't understand -- but so long as they are polite to my
> face --
As another poster just stated. The French or anyone else travel to other
countries and know none of the language. If a person is going to one country
in their life fine, but business travelers etc often have to go to other
countries on short notice and have no time to learn the language. People
living in other countries often have no idea about the language for quite
some time. Certainly in Europe of all places you have a lot of countries
crammed together that don't speak the same language. Those people I'm sure
don't know the languages of all their neighbors, yet probably visit quite
frequently. Common courtesy and tolerance to visiting tourists is not such a
big sacrifice nor is it somehow a unique one to the French.
Hell, I can't go to a drive through here in America and expect to get my
burger from an English speaker. I have more right to be annoyed by that then
the reverse situation in another country.
The French are rude and pretentious, period.
Jade
news:[email protected]...
> In article ,
> "Jade" wrote:
> > Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of
my
> > life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they
specifically
> > hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly hospitable toward
the
> > British and the Germans I ran into.
> >
> > I do not speak any French and this was a definite obstacle, but was told
by
> > my travel agent that most French know English. I hear many talking
English,
> > but anyone I talked to seemed to "forget" their English very quickly.
Most
> > restaurants I ate in I did not get what I was expecting or it was
completely
> > different than the waiter would explain it to me. (Assuming I found one
that
> > admitted to knowing English) I did not find the food that particularly
> > appetizing either, despite it's renown.
> >
> > If I asked directions from anyone they often smirked at me and threw
their
> > hands up before going on their merry little way. When I tried to find
the
> > ballet, one couple just kept trying to send me to the Eiffel Tower as if
> > that's all us uncultured and stupid Americans would be interested in.
> >
> > If tourism is so important to the French economy, I would think that
their
> > people would be a little more welcoming and accommodating to foreigners.
> >
> > The icing on the cake came three days into my trip when I was walking by
the
> > Seine during the night and was robbed and beaten by two thugs. This can
> > happen anywhere and I certainly wouldn't blame France for that, but the
> > authorities gave me the same smirking reaction when they saw my black
eye
> > and acted as though it was my fault for being a stupid Americanand
wanting
> > to walk around their city at night.
> >
> > I know how France is romanticized and has been for years, but I wanted
to
> > tell you the reality is a little bit different. I'm tired of the
> > anit-Americanism that occurs and is accepted as the norm around the
world.
> > the common American citizen has nothing to do with the qualms most
countries
> > have with ours and if their citizens weren't so ignorant they would
possibly
> > be able to rationalize that.
> >
> > France was the worst case scenario of anti-Americanism for me. I would
> > strongly recommend against any of my fellow countrymen or women spending
any
> > of their hard earned money for the romance of Paris.
> >
> > Jade
> >
> >
> >
> a minimum requirement for a polite traveler is to know some of the
> language -- you may not be able to converse in French but you need to be
> able to greet people politely in their language, ask them if they can
> speak English and display some gratitude if they do. It is arrogant to
> think otherwise. I have no ear for French at all and have generally had
> to rely on their good graces and pantomime -- but have rarely
> encountered people who were rude -- most were very helpful including an
> old man who spoke not a word of English but pantomimed directions on a
> dark road in the rain one night as we tried to find our hotel --
> I have had hoteliers fetch me towels, passersby tell me how to find the
> bakery etc etc with only my minimal French courtesies and pantomime
> skills.
> [of course I am sure they may occasionally discuss me with amusement in
> a language I can't understand -- but so long as they are polite to my
> face --
As another poster just stated. The French or anyone else travel to other
countries and know none of the language. If a person is going to one country
in their life fine, but business travelers etc often have to go to other
countries on short notice and have no time to learn the language. People
living in other countries often have no idea about the language for quite
some time. Certainly in Europe of all places you have a lot of countries
crammed together that don't speak the same language. Those people I'm sure
don't know the languages of all their neighbors, yet probably visit quite
frequently. Common courtesy and tolerance to visiting tourists is not such a
big sacrifice nor is it somehow a unique one to the French.
Hell, I can't go to a drive through here in America and expect to get my
burger from an English speaker. I have more right to be annoyed by that then
the reverse situation in another country.
The French are rude and pretentious, period.
Jade
Dec 12th 2002, 9:04 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
> The French are rude and pretentious, period.
> Jade
As another poster said, why judge all the French by a few you met in Paris?
It's like trying to judge England by just visiting London - the hotels in
London are generally grotty and overpriced, the people you meet on the
street are often brusque and in a hurry. Get out into the countryside and
provincial areas and it's completely different.
I think we've read enough in your posts to show that your prejudices are
easily formed.
David Bennetts
Australia
> Jade
As another poster said, why judge all the French by a few you met in Paris?
It's like trying to judge England by just visiting London - the hotels in
London are generally grotty and overpriced, the people you meet on the
street are often brusque and in a hurry. Get out into the countryside and
provincial areas and it's completely different.
I think we've read enough in your posts to show that your prejudices are
easily formed.
David Bennetts
Australia
Dec 12th 2002, 9:05 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
Well obviously I'm very sorry to hear about you being robbed. There's no
excuse for that sort of thing. I'm sure there is a fair bit of violent
crime in Paris, as there is in many big European cities. I don't know if
it's better or worse than London in that respect - probably better, since
London certainly seems to have some real lowlife scum in the dark corners if
you go looking, although obviously that's cold comfort to you after what
happened.
I was in Paris last weekend and I've made a lot of trips to France since
from here in London it's pretty easy to reach. I've heard stories of the
French being a bit cold to the Americans but I don't know if there's any
truth in it. I think speaking at least a few words of French does help,
even if it's just "bonjour", "merci", etc. - a lot of them do speak some
English though but a few words of French does seem to break the ice. I
speak "tourist French" and 99% of the time I've found them to be friendly
and polite.
I know the French are generally opposed to any talk of bombing Iraq etc. and
I wonder if that has anything to do with any anti-US sentiment. Just a
thought.
And yes it's possible to eat bad food in France, despite what you may hear.
However it's a lot easier to eat bad food in Britain!
"Jade" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of my
> life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they specifically
> hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly hospitable toward the
> British and the Germans I ran into.
> I do not speak any French and this was a definite obstacle, but was told
by
> my travel agent that most French know English. I hear many talking
English,
> but anyone I talked to seemed to "forget" their English very quickly. Most
> restaurants I ate in I did not get what I was expecting or it was
completely
> different than the waiter would explain it to me. (Assuming I found one
that
> admitted to knowing English) I did not find the food that particularly
> appetizing either, despite it's renown.
> If I asked directions from anyone they often smirked at me and threw their
> hands up before going on their merry little way. When I tried to find the
> ballet, one couple just kept trying to send me to the Eiffel Tower as if
> that's all us uncultured and stupid Americans would be interested in.
> If tourism is so important to the French economy, I would think that their
> people would be a little more welcoming and accommodating to foreigners.
> The icing on the cake came three days into my trip when I was walking by
the
> Seine during the night and was robbed and beaten by two thugs. This can
> happen anywhere and I certainly wouldn't blame France for that, but the
> authorities gave me the same smirking reaction when they saw my black eye
> and acted as though it was my fault for being a stupid Americanand wanting
> to walk around their city at night.
> I know how France is romanticized and has been for years, but I wanted to
> tell you the reality is a little bit different. I'm tired of the
> anit-Americanism that occurs and is accepted as the norm around the world.
> the common American citizen has nothing to do with the qualms most
countries
> have with ours and if their citizens weren't so ignorant they would
possibly
> be able to rationalize that.
> France was the worst case scenario of anti-Americanism for me. I would
> strongly recommend against any of my fellow countrymen or women spending
any
> of their hard earned money for the romance of Paris.
> Jade
excuse for that sort of thing. I'm sure there is a fair bit of violent
crime in Paris, as there is in many big European cities. I don't know if
it's better or worse than London in that respect - probably better, since
London certainly seems to have some real lowlife scum in the dark corners if
you go looking, although obviously that's cold comfort to you after what
happened.
I was in Paris last weekend and I've made a lot of trips to France since
from here in London it's pretty easy to reach. I've heard stories of the
French being a bit cold to the Americans but I don't know if there's any
truth in it. I think speaking at least a few words of French does help,
even if it's just "bonjour", "merci", etc. - a lot of them do speak some
English though but a few words of French does seem to break the ice. I
speak "tourist French" and 99% of the time I've found them to be friendly
and polite.
I know the French are generally opposed to any talk of bombing Iraq etc. and
I wonder if that has anything to do with any anti-US sentiment. Just a
thought.
And yes it's possible to eat bad food in France, despite what you may hear.
However it's a lot easier to eat bad food in Britain!
"Jade" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of my
> life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they specifically
> hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly hospitable toward the
> British and the Germans I ran into.
> I do not speak any French and this was a definite obstacle, but was told
by
> my travel agent that most French know English. I hear many talking
English,
> but anyone I talked to seemed to "forget" their English very quickly. Most
> restaurants I ate in I did not get what I was expecting or it was
completely
> different than the waiter would explain it to me. (Assuming I found one
that
> admitted to knowing English) I did not find the food that particularly
> appetizing either, despite it's renown.
> If I asked directions from anyone they often smirked at me and threw their
> hands up before going on their merry little way. When I tried to find the
> ballet, one couple just kept trying to send me to the Eiffel Tower as if
> that's all us uncultured and stupid Americans would be interested in.
> If tourism is so important to the French economy, I would think that their
> people would be a little more welcoming and accommodating to foreigners.
> The icing on the cake came three days into my trip when I was walking by
the
> Seine during the night and was robbed and beaten by two thugs. This can
> happen anywhere and I certainly wouldn't blame France for that, but the
> authorities gave me the same smirking reaction when they saw my black eye
> and acted as though it was my fault for being a stupid Americanand wanting
> to walk around their city at night.
> I know how France is romanticized and has been for years, but I wanted to
> tell you the reality is a little bit different. I'm tired of the
> anit-Americanism that occurs and is accepted as the norm around the world.
> the common American citizen has nothing to do with the qualms most
countries
> have with ours and if their citizens weren't so ignorant they would
possibly
> be able to rationalize that.
> France was the worst case scenario of anti-Americanism for me. I would
> strongly recommend against any of my fellow countrymen or women spending
any
> of their hard earned money for the romance of Paris.
> Jade
Dec 12th 2002, 9:08 pm
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
In article ,
[email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
> Richard Price wrote:
> > Agreed. The French believe it is extemely rude (for anyone, not just
> > Americans) to travel to a foreign country and refuse to learn a few words of
> > the local language.
>
> I dunno about that. I've seen my share of French folks in faraway places
> expecting to get by on French and somewhere between angry and surprised when
> it didn't work out. My French ain't hot but I've served as interpreter for
> these people on more than one occasion (not following them around with an
> earphone, but translating at a ticket counter or some other situation where
> they were just not having any luck).
>
> miguel
all nations have citizens who make their fellow citizens cringe when
they see them in foreign climes. I paid particular attention to this on
my last trip and the winner of the rude award was an older British
couple. clueless award went to a middle aged American tourist -- but at
least she wasnt rude or ugly, just clueless. and in Rome recently I
encountered a very angry hostile rude Chinese woman who was annoyed that
her English was not getting her what she wanted in Rome because she had
been assured that 'all Europeans speak English'. worst tourist I ever
saw was German [well a Saudi man on Kuwait airlines would tie with him]
most ill behaved children were French. most Americans are fairly
amiable and non demanding -- but in decades of travel I remember a few
that make me embarrassed to be associated with in any way.
and much of what the casual tourist finds 'rude' [and locals also find
rude in return] are differences in custom e.g. Americans are accustomed
to just walking into a shop and looking around and walking out without
buying -- in many European towns to enter without a social greeting to
the proprietor is rude and browsing is also not the norm] Americans are
used to good service and a promptly presented bill at the end of a meal;
in many European countries quick service and a bill without a request
for one would be considered rude -- and it appears that only Americans
and Britons line up and take turns -- elsewhere pushing shoving,
grabbing and walking right to the head of the line seems to be the norm
[email protected] (Miguel Cruz) wrote:
> Richard Price wrote:
> > Agreed. The French believe it is extemely rude (for anyone, not just
> > Americans) to travel to a foreign country and refuse to learn a few words of
> > the local language.
>
> I dunno about that. I've seen my share of French folks in faraway places
> expecting to get by on French and somewhere between angry and surprised when
> it didn't work out. My French ain't hot but I've served as interpreter for
> these people on more than one occasion (not following them around with an
> earphone, but translating at a ticket counter or some other situation where
> they were just not having any luck).
>
> miguel
all nations have citizens who make their fellow citizens cringe when
they see them in foreign climes. I paid particular attention to this on
my last trip and the winner of the rude award was an older British
couple. clueless award went to a middle aged American tourist -- but at
least she wasnt rude or ugly, just clueless. and in Rome recently I
encountered a very angry hostile rude Chinese woman who was annoyed that
her English was not getting her what she wanted in Rome because she had
been assured that 'all Europeans speak English'. worst tourist I ever
saw was German [well a Saudi man on Kuwait airlines would tie with him]
most ill behaved children were French. most Americans are fairly
amiable and non demanding -- but in decades of travel I remember a few
that make me embarrassed to be associated with in any way.
and much of what the casual tourist finds 'rude' [and locals also find
rude in return] are differences in custom e.g. Americans are accustomed
to just walking into a shop and looking around and walking out without
buying -- in many European towns to enter without a social greeting to
the proprietor is rude and browsing is also not the norm] Americans are
used to good service and a promptly presented bill at the end of a meal;
in many European countries quick service and a bill without a request
for one would be considered rude -- and it appears that only Americans
and Britons line up and take turns -- elsewhere pushing shoving,
grabbing and walking right to the head of the line seems to be the norm
Dec 12th 2002, 9:11 pm
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
"Richard Price" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Agreed. The French believe it is extemely rude (for anyone, not just
> Americans) to travel to a foreign country and refuse to learn a few words
of
> the local language. So everytime an American tries to demand service in
> English (in France), the Frenchman is thinking to himself, "what a rude
person
> this is!"
While I agree that it's stupid to go to France without at least knowing how
to say the basics, I don't think it's entirely the language. It's also
largely a function of how you portray yourself. The ruder you are, the ruder
you're likely to be treated in return. Problem with some people is that they
don't even know they're being rude. Where I'm at, a typical way to order at
a restaurant is "may I please have ..." or "I would like ... ". A while ago,
a friend came to visit from somewhere else and all she seemed capable of
saying was "I want ..." or worse yet "gimme ..." which despite getting the
point across made both me and the waitress cringe. Sad thing is that my
friend didn't even realise that she was doing anything wrong.
In that situation, the waitress still had to oblige as that's her job, but
out on the street, in any country, I'm sure that "pardon me, sir, could I
trouble you for directions to ... " will be much better received than "hey!
d'y'know where ... is?"
Richard
news:[email protected]...
> Agreed. The French believe it is extemely rude (for anyone, not just
> Americans) to travel to a foreign country and refuse to learn a few words
of
> the local language. So everytime an American tries to demand service in
> English (in France), the Frenchman is thinking to himself, "what a rude
person
> this is!"
While I agree that it's stupid to go to France without at least knowing how
to say the basics, I don't think it's entirely the language. It's also
largely a function of how you portray yourself. The ruder you are, the ruder
you're likely to be treated in return. Problem with some people is that they
don't even know they're being rude. Where I'm at, a typical way to order at
a restaurant is "may I please have ..." or "I would like ... ". A while ago,
a friend came to visit from somewhere else and all she seemed capable of
saying was "I want ..." or worse yet "gimme ..." which despite getting the
point across made both me and the waitress cringe. Sad thing is that my
friend didn't even realise that she was doing anything wrong.
In that situation, the waitress still had to oblige as that's her job, but
out on the street, in any country, I'm sure that "pardon me, sir, could I
trouble you for directions to ... " will be much better received than "hey!
d'y'know where ... is?"
Richard