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I'm french (from paris) and i don't understand why we are considered like scorning people...?
PS : it's a very serious question... and i'm waiting for serious answer : )
PPS : i'm sorry about my english...

2006-07-12 04:55:02 · 7 answers · asked by CecileSi 1 in Society & Culture Other - Society & Culture

7 answers

That foreigners consider French people in general (and Parisians in particular) to be pretentious or rude is a stereotype, but there may be some reasons for it. Part of the problem may stem from history: Parisians had for a very long time considered themselves the elites of French culture and were very much engaged in the rivalry with other European powers via the courts of Versailles, etc. Furthermore, the French were for a long time one of the strongest monarchies/nations of Europe, especially compared to the chaotic German and Italian states, so French pride would have been justified for a good deal of French history. The long-held disdain that Parisians/French once may have held for others may influence the feelings of foreigners today, even if the French themselves have changed in recent times.

Another problem may be the language barrier. English, as a Germanic language, has become the primary language of business and diplomacy in recent decades. However, English is a difficult language to learn for French people, which is part of the Romantic family of languages. Part of the percieved rudeness of the French could be the difficulty French have in communicating with tourists. Of course, this is compounded by the fact that dealing with tourists (for example in Paris/Nice/etc.) is already annoying...

Lastly, particularly with regards to Americans but also to a significant extent the British, there is fairly common disdain for the French. French accomplishments are belittled, while any problems are emphasized. This almost certainly stems from French-led resistance to Anglo-American international policies worldwide and the French-German partnership taking the glory from England within Europe.

Naturally, individual French people cannot be expected to hold to a stereotype even if the stereotype is justified, which it may not always be.

2006-07-12 05:10:28 · answer #1 · answered by Fenris 4 · 0 0

Cecile, your English is much better than my french...no worries!

I have often wondered the same thing. Everyone from France that I have ever met have been extremely kind and gracious. There are some cultural differences...people from America are almost rabidly friendly, very "in your face" and sometimes try to become too familiar too fast. I find Europeans more reserved. They take longer to build friendships. Americans would rather have 100 acquaintances. Europeans would rather have 5 dear friends.

I have heard people say that when they went to Paris, they found that people looked down on them...but these are the same people who insist that people who come to America should "learn the language or go home."

There is nothing wrong with taking pride in your country. I happen to enjoy living in the US. If I didn't, I would move. But that doesn't mean that I can't enjoy the cultures of other countries...it drives me crazy when people travel to Europe and eat at McDonald's!!! Perhaps if Americans who travel abroad would enjoy France for it's "Frenchness" (forgive the slaughter of the language), they would find the people there much more friendly.

2006-07-12 12:10:05 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa S 2 · 0 0

There are many nice French people. My friend and I traveled around Portugal with two guys from Northern France who couldn't have been nicer. Certain places get that reputation - like New York for example (which really isn't true either) - but most people who don't like the French have never spent any real time around French people. It's a shame there is tension between our countries. Vive la France!

2006-07-12 12:00:21 · answer #3 · answered by HelloKitty 3 · 0 0

French people are proud people and they have reasons enough to be so: lovely language, good wines/cheeses, airbus, great car industry, aerospace, huge shopping malls and they invented minitel (sort of internet). All the potential to be like ... the Americans. Only the recognition is missing.

2006-07-12 11:59:53 · answer #4 · answered by plie3824 3 · 0 0

ah , isn't paris beautiful....
but so the rest of the world.....
it just need a diffrent point of view......
scorning doesn't have nationality background, it is historical

2006-07-12 12:08:42 · answer #5 · answered by Henry W 7 · 0 0

it would be wrong to make a generalization like that. it's like asking if all americans are greedy. bu the stereotype is that they are pretentious. you decide.

2006-07-12 12:00:53 · answer #6 · answered by FourNobleTruths 1 · 0 0

i don't think anyone means those things, they're just kidding.

2006-07-12 12:00:24 · answer #7 · answered by ♥aɳgel♥ 2 · 0 0

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