Are French people really snobbish, or is this just a lie?

Question

It seems like everyplace you look, on TV, movies, books, etc., the French are portrayed as being very rude and antisocial to people who aren't from there or speak their language. Is this true?

I know I'm talking about a stereotype and this is a horrible way to judge individuals. For the record, I would never use a stereotype to label someone I have met, I just wanna know if there is any truth to it, and if so how much

For the record, I am an American who has never been to Europe, but wants to real badly.

Answer 1

I lived in a French speaking country for three years. I was required to take French lessons. I'm not good at languages but I tried. A lot of French people would act like they did understand your French. And most of them spoke English because it was taught in their schools. But overall they were just like everyone else. No one is as outgoing as Americans so they expect everyone else to be that way. The French are a little arrogant about French things. In order for a stereotype to be a stereotype there have to be things/people to make a stereotype. I take people on an individual basis. If they treat me ok than they're ok and the hell with the rest of them.

If I was going to Europe for the first time I would go to:

1. Italy-beautiful weather, beautiful people, plenty of things to
see.
2. England - history all over the damn place, local food lousy except fish and chips, weather is iffy, Brits are great people and love Yanks. Warm beer though, ugh. Plus they speak English-surprise surprise.

3. Germany-very historic looking, beautiful mountains, people a little arrogant and the beer is great.

4. Forget the eastern European countries-too depressing right now, but it's getting better.

5. Russia-forget it!

6. Spain - if you like bull fights, but the people are nice

7. A good side trip is Morocco. Great country, excellent weather, and plenty to see. It's close too Europe. Don't know about the locals now because of this war thing, but when I was there a number of years ago they were just fine, except for the French of course, but I think most of them are gone now.

Happy traveling. I am sure what ever city you pick in Europe you'll have a good time and find plenty to do.

Answer 2

The problem is that most tourists only meet Parisians. As with other city states such as New York and London, the inhabitants are competitive and under pressure with no time to spare for chit chat. You would not be very pleased if Americans were judged solely by the sharp elbowed people of New York. Head out into the country and you will find delightful, easy going folks, though it helps if you can speak some French!!

Answer 3

Individually like all nations the people are completely different to their politicians and the type projected by the media. the only point where the French are truly projected is in the attitude of their police to foreigners, especially the British, the Americans suffer from the world view that they are thick and know nothing about the world. Of course the Americans are not helped by the fact that the American public who do not travel are just that.

Answer 4

It seems we Americans have been conditioned to hate the French for some reason. The few French people I have met have been really nice people so I refuse to subscribe to that stereotype. The government wants us to hate the French because they have such great health care, according to Michael Moore...

Answer 5

It's pretty much true. And the more American you look and act, the worse it is.

I've been to Paris more than a few times. (I haven't been too many other places in France, yet!) If you try to speak a little French, try NOT to speak English (even to your friends) and avoid carrying a camera around, you'll get treated a little bit better.

France is still one of my favorite places, though.

Answer 6

well....i live in france and i am NOT american....i am colombian, which in some cases i'm not really sure if it's better or worse...i mean they kinda dislike you, americans, over there (in europe i mean)...and even more in france where they are food snobs
frenchies are nice....'til you set foot in an public office such as la poste, or anything like it....
let's not get carried away here...i'm not saying that they are rude by nature....they are just a little less open to some sort of situations, you just have to get used to the fact that you're in another country with different people whose attitude can change from time to time..but in general they are pretty nice....i guess i've been lucky 'cause i've met the best people ever over there....
and if you're a tourist...i mean, come on
imagine living in paris, how many tourist a year would you get to see....it gets old, you just ignore the people with cameras and hats, not to be mean but it's like seeing another car in the streets...what difference does it make?
europeans in general tend to be a little colder....but i am south american....if i can handle the change from my kinda of people to them....trust me, you can do it to

Answer 7

haha i love how everyone believes everything they see on television. apparantly none of you have been to france lol. although some people tend to be rude, france is pretty much a chill place so i wouldn't apply the snobby stereotype to all of them. they simply know how to enjoy and appreciate their lives better than americans. there is also better quality food (no mysterious cancer inducing chemicals) and health coverage in france as well (france has the best healthcare in the world). perhaps some americans are just jealous of their months of paid vacation and unlimited sick days as well as free college and healthcare lol.

Answer 8

I've been going to France since 1963 and usually found them fine especially if you attempt to speak their language.
I think most misunderstandings arise from people expecting the whole world to speak English.

ohhowclever - the bit about health care is very true from personal experience. Absolutely superb and available to everyone

Answer 9

I think most people that we visit as tourists who are not in the tourist business are snobbish.. Yes because I think that because there is a language barrier they are..I dont think that you should rule out only the French people themselves as snobbish, diffrent region, culture also. You had better read up and remember attitute, code of dress and also being nice and not being nosey... fashion code.#1 get your gear in check.

Answer 10

Come to the UK instead, great Sights, warm and cold beer, great food once you know where to go, beautiful women, a Royal family, Great Football (Soccer), Pie and Mash, Fish and Chips.........the list goes on and on.
Oh yeah, we are for the most part very friendly and glad to see you here.
Hands across the Ocean and God Bless the USA.