Why are French people so rude especially to Americans when they travel to France?

Question

Do they hate us or something?

Answer 1

First, try not to generalize, thanks. ^^

I think basically we are the victim of our success. We have a lot of tourism in places like Paris and French Riviera (and now even Provence). Result is that it's a lot of people there, usually at the same time. In these places, french people tend to be agressive and rude with ANYBODY, even french people (!!)...

Usually, I avoid these places in the summer for example. It's a pity coz it's the best places. :'(

When it comes to American people, that could be different. It's true that we don't really appreciate your government (well, who does?) but we don't have anything against the people. Io course, we can't say that the pre-Irak war situation helped. We saw a lot of pictures and Fox News extracts bashing or insulting french people for the position of the government at this time. At this time, we main feeling was that France was trying to avoid a bloody war, not to annoy the US, and the attacks against french people were considered as highly unfair.

Some people tend to remind those things, but educated people don't. Just give it some time.

Conclusion: come in Lyon or Toulouse or Bordeaux, and you will be well received, I promise. Even if you're american guy. ;)

Answer 2

I agree that it is the Parisian French who have the most trouble with outsiders. They hold anyone who does not speak fluent Parisian french in disdain, even those french-speakers from Quebec!
Although I can speak and understand french, I am not comfortable enough to converse rapidly. Therefore, I keep my comments brief and in English (which 99% of French have studied in school). I smile a lot, be veryvery polite, and listen carefully. That way, I am not fooled, I don't make many blunders, and I can ignore the petty snide comments because I haven't "heard" them. Since I can read french, I survive.

Outside of Paris, however, the French can be as gracious and accommodating as anyone else, especially if you attempt to speak french. Just as in Japan, the French know you will always be an alien to their country and culture, and therefore they can emotionally afford to be helpful.

Remember, France has had many millions of non-European citizens flooding into the country in the past few decades. Their social structure is changing, and the European French are at their wit's end knowing how to coexist with foreign cultures, religions, values and languages inside their borders. Their already famous tempers are frayed, so the rudeness may come to the surface more easily.

This rude attitude of the French to Americans is not relegated only to mainland France, however. We travelled to Martinique in the Caribbean just last month. Because of the unfriendliness and disdain we encountered just in our brief visit several years ago, we decided to not even get off the ship. A shame, too, as it is a beautiful island.

Answer 3

I met a group of French students studying here in the USA once, and I actually asked them if that stereotype was true. They told me that it actually is true in Paris, but not in the French countryside where they lived. They said they actually didn't like the Parisian French anymore than we did. I asked why. They said that the Paris residents tend to be much wealthier than the rest of France, and so they tend to be arrogant toward anyone who isn't French and even toward those French who are lower class. It's really just because rich people in France tend to look down on others, which is equally true if you travel in New York (esp. Long Island). Most French citizens in the other areas of France are much nicer though. The group of students I met were from Lyon, Beaumont and other rural areas, and they were the nicest people I've ever met. If you ever do meet a French person, I'd advise putting your best foot forward. Don't assume that just because a lot of Parisians are rude that all French people are.

Answer 4

Hi, from France,

Well, maybe because we don't know each other that well, except through the media. And we all know how independent they are... according to what governments want you to believe at the moment...
See other questions in this category, it's quite amazing how we see each other :-(
(for this, internet is useful : you can easily go and check the local media of other countries... if you understand the language...)

Apart from this, our cultures are also different : you can easily misinterpret the behavior of the other one.

And lastly, G.W. Bush being a compilation of everything French people dislike about the US, you can understand that most French think you're all like him...

About the Parisian issue, it can fill a whole topic by itself. I'm from Paris area, with half my family in the south of France, and I can tell you you'll find as many idiots outside Paris than inside ! ;-)

Answer 5

Hi!
There is not just one answer to this question because:
- all the French aren't the same
- it is generally true that Parisians are way less friendly, even to fellow frenchies.
- Some Americans (not all of them thank God) have the bad habit to shout at you in English in order to obtain what they need, whether directions or a metro ticket, without trying a few simple words in French like Bonjour, etc. As if asking louder, but not slower, would make it more intellegible. It actually happened to me once and it is not particularly pleasant.
- Most French, including myself, are proud of their culture and particularly their language. We are particularly happy to see foreigners trying to speak to us using a few words of French, but are not impressed by those who aren't trying at all. Imagine people ordering a beer in a NY bar just using French.
- Last, some French are rude and obnoxious. It is a sad fact that people tend to remember those ones better than the others. I certainly can't blame them. Please do not be put off, and come back to enjoy our country as we do love travelling the US.

Answer 6

No, they don't hate the Americans. But, yes it is a "but", you must not generalize and don't forget that the Americans are expecting that everyone speak English and the French don't like this point of view. Most of them can speak English, but they don't want to do this.

Answer 7

The French are much nicer and much more polite than they used to be some years ago. Don't know why, but that's the way it is.

Answer 8

Ref:C) considering U.S. voter participation is under 60% ,you would be elected with under 35% help of the inhabitants. in spite of the incontrovertible fact that, possible purely blame The Electoral college,which fairly elects the President, no longer the yankee people. submit to in innovations-Sen. Gore had greater votes than Gov. Bush in 2000.

Answer 9

Remember stupid comments that our president made a few years ago when France didn't back the Iraq war? Freedom Fries..etc

Answer 10

I think that French people think that they are way better than us, and with George Bush as president, I almost don't blame them. My dad went to France, and I did 2, and most of the people are really nice, but they are freaks about ther dogs. U can't pet anybodys dog. I mean WTF