Do the French really dislike Americans?

Question

Do the French really dislike Americans or is this an American rumor that we made up ourselves? I've been to France twice and not once did I find anyone to be rude. I can hardly wait to go back. If the French do happen to dislike us, is it on account of how our government represents us? Or can it be because we come across as loud and ruthless? I know we are relatively friendlier than the French. Or perhaps I should rephrase this and say our friendliness is different; we are much more apt to express our feelings while the French are much more reserved. I cannot say either one is better than the other, it's just a difference in culture. I love the French for many reasons. A personal reason is they tend to think before they speak. Whereas many of us just tell it like it is and find ourselves having to apologize later for putting our foot in our mouths (as I perhaps just did now:) I REALLY want to hear from les gens Francaise et les americains aussi. Merci beacoup!

Answer 1

I am French as well and after reading many of these comments I cannot help but reply.

Many people make generalizations about different people, different cultures, actually anything that is different from them.

I have read many ignorant answers towards the French.

If I were to say that Americans were ignorant, had no culture, have no fashion sense, are uncivilized, have bad table manners, are loud and obnoxious and think their country is the greatest how would you react?

My point, I have met many Americans that fit this description but I have also met many great people as well! One cannot generalize. So think before you decide to judge others.

Answer 2

I agree with a lot you have said. I have also been to France. I think Americans are generally more outgoing and tend to rub the French the wrong way. It is very common to see young Americans (completely drunk) running through town acting like idiots. They are loud and disrespectful and these young tourists don't realize that they give Americans a bad name. On the other hand, the French are quick to judge and jump at the opportunity to criticize an American acting like an idiot. It reinforces their stereotypes. There are definitely cultural differences and I think people from both countries can be friendly and nice as well as pompous and rude. I have talked to several Frenchmen and they admit that they think Americans are loud and foolish. I also know from experience that they are less likely to assist American tourists. It was this way 20 years ago and is similar today.

Answer 3

Okay so how do you want your answer in french or in english. First off French don't "hate" Americans per se, while many do dislike them it stems back to world war two. The Americans claim that they won the war, liberated the french etc etc. While they helped it was the allies that won the war ( is a war ever really won?) together. Because of the condescending attitude that the americans have given the French it is actually better to travel as a canadian, they are GENERALLY better recieved there. I remeber people offering me money for my RCACS flashes because a canadian insignia on an army uniform is better than american insignias there, while I haven't really answered your question I believe you should look further into world war tow etc, and the predjudices stemming from therein.

Answer 4

The Frenchmen I've met either admire or hate America. Admiration came from the superiority of the American system of education. Hatred came from many things...even for silly reasons; like the fact that many Americans are very fat! Another one hated Americans for having big muscles!! Say, what's the reason of hatred actually?!

Answer 5

I knew a French girl who really liked americans, well, she really liked me!

Answer 6

I've met several French foreign exchange students and I've never seen or heard anything that would lead me to believe that. Although, as a history nerd I can tell you France is the butt of all our jokes in several of my history classes I've taken in the past.

Answer 7

The French have no sense of righteousness, or loyalty to friends. It is a proven fact that their government made shady deals with Saddam Hussein to acquire oil for nuclear materials. The French supplied nuclear reactors for Iraq during Husseins reign of power, giving him the means to produce nuclear weapons. The threat would have been to Israel, and Israel warned the world that it could happen. The French, were the frontrunners in rejecting Israel's claims. The Israelis bombed the reactor, and it probably saved the region from potential nuclear war. Thank God!

The French have been bailed out of two world wars, and Vietnam by the Americans. We have had to come in behind them and clean up their mess. They had dismal failures also in African campaigns.

Recently, during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, the French stated that they would step up to the plate and supply troops to secure the borders between the two conflicting parties. They chickened out, once again, and sent a whopping 50 soldiers to the region! Thanks for nothing!

No matter what the West does, it's never good enough for the French. No matter what English speaking America or English speaking Canada does, the French are the first to criticize.

I have no love for the French, or anything French. To me, they are disloyal and two-faced. On one hand they'll gladly take US money if it's handed to them, they will accept the blood of US boys if it means saving their butts from trouble, but when it comes time for them to be loyal friends, you cannot get it out of them. So we quit trying!

Answer 8

This question and one of the previous answers reminded me of this not-so-funny joke I read recently:

An elderly gentleman of 83 arrived in Paris by plane. At the French customs desk, the man took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry-on bag.

"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked, sarcastically. The elderly gentleman admitted he had been to France previously. "Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."

The American said, "The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."

"Impossible. Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France!"

The American senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then
he quietly explained. "Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country, I couldn't find any Frenchmen to show it to."

OUCH!!!!!!!!!