Are the Americans who say one shouldn't bother visiting France unless you speak French beacause ...?

Question

the French are rude to foreigners the same ones who say you should bother coming to America unless you speak English?

Just to let you guys know, I've lived in France, I love France and I know better! Some people seemed to have missed the question while they were trying to answer....

Answer 1

lol... the first answerer said SOME of them know English!

European schools make you learn at least 3 languages... so they MOSTLY know how to speak English... it is the French pride that they only speak French with you in France :D

Answer 2

The French are very proud of their beautiful language and culture. If you are a guest in their country and approach the natives with the attitude of "I'm an American, I speak English and expect everyone else to do so as well," you will be snubbed. If you expect/demand that they speak English without first showing any attempt to try to learn or appreciate their culture/language, many will feign ignorance and pretend they don't know English at all, despite the fact that most French natives, especially in the cities, know English fairly well. If you visit France (especially big cities and major tourist attractions) during the peak travel seasons when the place is overrun by tourists who run around as though they own the place, this is especially important because most likely many natives are fed up with them. They are perceived as disruptive, loud, and obnoxious (and even from American eyes, I've been embarrased by the behavior of some fellow Americans). That's why those few American visitors who take time to learn some key phrases and learn even the minimal proper French etiquette (little things, such as saying "Bonjour/Au revoir monsieur/madame" when entering or leaving a store, which isn't commonly done in the USA) are much more kindly received.

If you do not speak any French and are planning a trip, don't let rumors of French snobbery deter you. It's a beautiful country with so much culture and history; you don't want to miss it. But be sure to do a little homework before you go. Buy a phrase book for travelors and learn the basics (Thank you, Hello, etc) and enough to initially ask for help in French ("Excuse me m'am/sir. I'm lost, could you please help me find so-and-so? My French is not very good, do you speak English?") If possible, get a guide book that explains some French etiquette and mannerisms so you don't unintentionally come across as rude.

Answer 3

I don't know if this is the same everywhere in France, but I stayed with a German family who lived 20 minutes away from the French border, so they decided to bring me there to see one of the towns. Of course the kids knew French since they'd been learning it for 6 years, and I was in French II at the time, so I had a general grasp on it. We went to a restaurant and we all ordered in French, but when they realised we were German, the waiter just treated us so rudely, and the other French people who were there too were just giving us nasty looks. So, that was my wonderful first experience with the French people. I doubt all of them are like that, but it was enough to make me never want to go there again.

Answer 4

I've been to France several times, and I haven't had any bad experiences. I used to speak French really well the first time I went there, and it's gotten somewhat rusty since then, but everybody was nice to me. Most people speak decent English, but they really appreciate it if you learn several basic phrases (or at least know how to say " I don't speak French")
Most people (especially hotel staff, salespeople and waiters) are nice, because they don't get paid if they are rude. They are rude if you're rude to them.
The people who claim that you shouldn't bother visiting France are usually the ones who start yelling in English when somebody doesn't speak English, hoping that yelling would somehow make that person magically understand English.

Answer 5

Americans shouldn't rely on speaking one language in this global world economy. They will be left behind.
The French are very civilized and they expect tourists to respect their culture. The French are proud and arrogant but they respect you if you speak even a few words in their language. Et la langue francaise es tres joli alors pourquoi pas parle un peu cette langue.

Answer 6

well if they went to live in france they better kno some french

like when people come to live in the us they better no some english

but if you are just visting you dont really have to

i am learning french and italian :D really i am

Answer 7

Not exactly. The French (some of them at least) actually understand English...

Answer 8

French are not rude to foriegners
they are always nice
sweet

Answer 9

Go visit Brittany - they have two languages to start, and don't expect you to know either.