Why do the French always complain that Americans don't learn French when we visit their country?

Question

I have thought about learning it but I also visit Germany,Spain,Italy,Switzerland,Netherlands,Sweden and Finland. Does that mean I should learn German,Spanish,Italian,Dutch, Swiss and God forbid Finnish? Wouldn't it make more sense if all the Europeons got together and spoke one language? Would make it much simplier for us Americans.. The Euro was a good start

I didn't know Swiss wasn't a language..I just know whenever I am there they are speaking in a language I don't understand. I am fortunate enough to travel throughout Europe on business and not speaking the languages has only gotten me in trouble a few times.. except the the French in Paris most people are tolerant of my ignorance

Answer 1

i should start learning 'Swiss' when i were you. Then you have the biggest part of Europe covered.

In Switzerland they speak Italian, German and French. There is not really a Swiss language, by the way.

I'm Dutch, i won't be offended if you don't speak Dutch in my country. But i bet you'd be offended if i only spoke Dutch in your country, isn't it ?

(if this question was supposed to be serious, then i'm sorry if i could only read it while laughing my brains out)

Answer 2

i've never heard french complain to about americans who don't speak french... actually, i have an impression americans speak better french then most french speak english (i'm an american living in france).
but no, an european language wouldn't make sense... not yet at least. If u live in europe you would realize how different each country is, how different each culture is. If there is to be a common language, it would have to be a languauge that gradually comes from the ppl. it can't be constructed and imposed upon the ppl.
And the world does not revovle around americans... up to them to open up too...

and yea, if u learn french, u already pretty much could survive in italy... less true for spain though. I speak 4 languages,and i'm going to start japanese soon.. if u want to learn a language it isn't that hard. just have to be brave.

Answer 3

I'm sorry that you simply had such an disagreeable enjoy. Some americans simply think just a bit threatened through foreigners and would refuse to obtain an extra culture as a way to make targeted that their way of life does not disappear. Individually, I think of the USA as a melting pot of cultures. Nonetheless, this is not continuously obvious in a few places of the country. Americans have been raised to have deep satisfaction of their country, in lots of circumstances, to the factor of vanity. I am an Asian American. Even regardless that i relatively like my nation, i do not constantly appreciate the hypocrisy that pops up right here and there in American society. Xenophobia is average in specific accessories of the arena, nonetheless the U.S. is viewed "the land of the unfastened" by way of her citizens. Why is that this nation the "land of the unfastened" if others can't freely speak their possess language? You have got to additionally appreciate that if citizens are unfastened to speak their possess language, then they're in addition unfastened to specific their prejudice. Where did you maintain? In massive towns like LA, individuals are further accepting of distinctive cultures. As quickly as once more, I express regret on your enjoy. I'm extraordinarily sorry that you simply effectively have been met with an unwelcoming atmosphere, nonetheless please do not prefer us via making use of the perspective and movements of a couple of. No longer each and every character is like that. We're effectively afraid. The us is a somewhat more youthful nation compare to others so the culture found out within the country should not be as substantial as Spain or England. We will have to now not have as so much cultural historical past and traditions as one of the most older international locations, and what little we now have we are afraid to lose.

Answer 4

I bet you wish you'd thought this one out more carefully!!!

For an American to wonder why French people would prefer you to speak French when in France is amazing!! Has it never occurred to you that maybe they find English extremely difficult? Not to mention the fact that Americans - from the country with NO official language - are kicking up such a fuss about non-English speaking Americans!!

No wonder everyone's having trouble typing through their tears of laughter...!!
; )

BTW, although quite a lot of people in Paris speak low quality English - which is why they knew enough to wish you could speak French and spare their achy brains!! most people in France speak pretty much zero English, unless you count Weekend and 'ello as conversation standard English!!

Answer 5

All countries have that reaction. That 'If you come to our country at least learn our language' mentality. In my opinion, it wouldn't make more sense for everyone to speak the same language for the simple fact that, once upon a time, things were that way and people did horribly. Want 2 know more about that? Read the bible. Have a great day!

Answer 6

What is so wrong about just fairing a little effort out of curtesy for the hospitality. We expect them to speak english if they come to an english speaking country, as a tourist you are trespassing into another world theres no point trampling in with no understanding, what is the point of going to the country if you don't want to truly experience being there, you may as well stay home. Languages are fascinating, new knowledge should be embraced, not resented.

Answer 7

Its just a way of promoting their culture. French however, are going a bit too far in using only French in every opportunity possible. Take the case of Jacques Chirac who even walked out of an international forum for the reason that his colleague (a French minister) spoke in the language known the world over: English!

Answer 8

and I constantly read about Hispanic immigrants: Why don't they learn English?
Come on! Learn at least the courtesy phrases for each country and the correct way to politely address an adult you don't know.
And you know, the goal of people in the rest of the world is not to make it easier for 'us Americans'. Why don't they all speak Japanese in Europe then, as it seems to me at least half of the tourist in Paris are from Japan!

Answer 9

I think it's quite normal that people would expect foreigners to be able to speak a little of their language sometimes. Think about how many foreigners/tourists come to the USA without speaking a word of English.
I think it's a way to show your interest to a country wherever that is.

Answer 10

They aren't here to "make it easier for us Americans". Italian, French, and Spanish are very similar - if you learn one, the others will be pretty easy to master.

I have co-workers who speak 3-4 languages. It is possible, its just that Americans, for the most part, are extremely lazy. We want everyone else to do things for us. That's partially why we aren't liked very much by other nations.