I've heard that they get really upset and will be rude to you if you don't speak it, I honestly can't speak a word of French without making some major mistakes. If someone came to my country for a vacation I wouldn't expect them to learn a new language just to visit. I also wouldn't become angry if people in another country didn't speak English...I just don't understand what the big deal is.
2007-12-26 04:34:13 · 13 answers · asked by Jane 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
tyesa if you knew how to read then you would see that I already said I wouldn't
2007-12-26 04:40:40 · update #1
I don't mind learning more French :) I just don't understand why some people say they're hostile towards English speakers....
2007-12-26 05:04:52 · update #2
The French have different mannerisms from Americans. They don't smile without a reason, they can seem brusque to us, they don't enjoy foolishness, and they don't respond well to being told to hurry. It's not so much that they get angry if you don't speak French, but they do get offended if you insist that they speak English. Don't assume they speak it.
Courtesy is the same everywhere, if you are pleasant and act like you appreciate being helped they will help you. If you're in a line and don't know what's going on, they will get impatient. It's polite to get out of their way till you figure out what you're doing.
Really, the reputation is unfair, just like saying all New Yorkers are so rude.
2007-12-26 05:12:47 · answer #1 · answered by noname 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
ok well I'm french and I can tell you the reason why americans think Parisians are rude is because they show up not even attempting to speak a word french and therefore may not get the best service. Whenever you travel anywhere foreign, you should at least learn the basics such as hello, thank you, good bye. Most everywhere you travel, including Paris, the people will speak english - or enough to communicate - but I emphasize for you to at least say the basics in french, at least hello (Bonjour - during the day; Bonsoir in the evening) then just ask if they speak english: parlez vous englais? (prounouced par-lay voo anglay) Have a great time!
2016-04-11 01:25:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you speak French BADLY while in France, you will sometimes, not always, get an angry response. French people are proud of their language, and they hate to see it butchered.
My advice is, stick to English if you're not really confident about your French. No one will be rude to you if they think you don't speak any French at all.
And incidentally, I was surprised when a French person told me that the majority of French people learn English in school now. So if you address your question to someone who looks reasonably well-educated, you have a good chance of getting a polite reply in English.
If you want to start practicing your French a little, you can say "Bonjour, madame" when you go into a shop, and "merci" when you leave. But if you find yourself getting a conversation where you're in over your head, it's better to say "I'm sorry, my French isn't very good. Do you mind if we speak English?". That's better than trying to speak gibberish.
I've been to France 3 times, and I often see Americans struggling to speak French when they obviously can't. It's really not worth it.
2007-12-26 06:22:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I found that some people in France will be nice to you whether you speak English or not and will help you understand them by speaking English with you. Some people, however, will not speak English with you no matter what, just out of principle (even when they speak perfectly good English themselves). It just all depends on the person.
Paris is the worst though for rude people. Parisians don't even like other French people who aren't from Paris. Haha!
2007-12-26 09:15:39 · answer #4 · answered by Natty 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have never had anyone be rude in Paris or Lyon because we couldn't speak French. We did, however, learn some key phrases and I always carry a translator and dictionary. In Paris, many people also speak English but in Lyon fewer people could. We find the people to be very nice in general.
2007-12-26 04:45:01 · answer #5 · answered by dawnb 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Speaking French & Loving German Culture!
2016-08-01 13:53:32 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everyone knows that the french are insufferable, cowardly, non-deordorant wearing reeking, big-nosed snobs.
i've been 'dissed at banks in Canada (which is NOT France!), by nasty tellers who refused to speak English -- even though it was an international banking institituion. Mind you -- all I asked was to have some currency converted -- not an unreasonable task.
Unreal. There's nothing redeeming about the French.
2007-12-26 06:28:04 · answer #7 · answered by napqueen 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
The French get annoyed at everything, and they are always "super rude" to Americans.
2007-12-26 08:58:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They get annoyed. If a visitor will learn even a few phrases, I believe they will not be treated as rudely.
2007-12-26 04:42:01 · answer #9 · answered by beez 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
totally false information you've been given!
I am French, and this couldn't be further than the truth.
... But
Note that if you visit France and go away from the capital, people will not understand you.
All the best.
2007-12-26 23:15:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋