There is this myth, stereotype, rumor or whatever you want to call it that French people are rude.As you read this, keep in mind that everything is contextual and each experience is seen differently depending on the beholder. As such, something that might be considered rude to one person might not be so for another. In short, there is no universal definition for rudeness.
So, while I have been in Paris for about a month now minus time spent in Portugal and Spain, I have been observing to see how the stereotype that the French are rude might have emerged. There are several situations that have happened that may push my personal perspective one way but it’s not that easy. I wrote about one such situation on the biggest asshole in Paris. But I would be wrong to judge a people based on one experience or based on the actions of one of it’s citizens. However, these could be some of the reasons many people think the French are rude.
First,
more than 50% of the French population speak English. How does this excuse them from seeming rude you ask? Well, I find that when you try to speak French no matter how bad you think your French is, they are more willing to help you. They themselves initial that they speak English and are happy to help you in your tongue. Yes it’s strange I know; they learn English but don’t like to speak unless they really need to. But sometimes that need to does not include helping you find your way. Why is that? Because even though a lot of French people speak English, they are very shy about speaking it. Plus it is not their language. So try not to get offended when you ask for directions in English and you get brushed off with the perfect sentence, “sorry I don’t speak English”. To put it simply, I get better responses when I speak French first and words I do not know I say in English and they understand; well, some of the time other times I end up playing a mime for awhile.
Second,
the cusomer service at restaurants is not the best. In most restaurants I have eaten at in Paris there has been something wrong with the service. Like me, you could be expecting too much that is not there. One of the places I ate at, the waiter was slamming food on the table like I had insulted him in a previous life. In another one, there was hair in my food and when I asked for a new plate, there was another hair in my food. There was no apology offered for this either as you would get in an American restaurant and in some cases, not only will your meal be replaced, your meal would be half priced or free for the inconvinience. You won’t find this in Paris. And as a food lover this is especially annoying. But I cannot fault the system; I fully understand it’s not America and not everything is great about America either so I take what I can and do not accept the unacceptable – regardless of culture. However, hair in ones food at a restaurant you are paying 11 to 16 euros a plate is unacceptable and I think a sense of acknowledgment and an apology would lessen the hairiness of the situation.
Thirdly,
the French culture is not like yours. I am sure there have been things you see in your home country and say to yourself that’s just rude. Being that there is a cultural difference, you cannot expect the French way to be like your way. I found it offensive that the waiter slamed my food on the table and blew past me most of the time when I raised my hand for something but the French people eating around me where perfectly content with the service. Thus, it’s normal here and I cannot judge it. As they say, “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”; the same goes for France.
Show respect
for their culture and you will be fine. If you disrespect things and people here, you will be disrespected too. Respecting a culture means accepting their way of doing things and enjoying that difference. Why would anyone travel to see the same thing? It would be ridiculous for me to go eat at McDonald while in Paris when I can have a crepe or other French traditional foods.
Conclusion
I think the stereotype is just a misunderstanding of the French personality. People from many cultures and more so Americans smile a lot when they meet new people. This is customary for them and at times expected. But it is not like that in France; they don’t smile unless they mean it. Not that some Americans don’t mean their smile but sometimes it is done out of politeness not out of sincerity. So an American in Paris might
be wondering, how hard is it to smile back? Don’t, it is just the culture. It is simply the way of the French. Here in France and perhaps in other places the prevailing argument is that the most rude people in France are American tourists. Is this true?
Still not convinced? Then check out these great books:
What say you?
{ 2 comments }
I think most people fail to understand Paris is such a huge city and like any other major city people are rushed annoyed frustrated and well generally quite rude. Being french myself i can clearly say that Paris IS full of smug arrogant assholes, but its Paris! if you want to meet the real french culture go and visit other parts of France don’t let one major city influence the entire country…
Max, you know you are absolutely right. About half of my friends I speak with who have had some sort of experience or from sheer stereotype mostly have something negative to say about the people. They like the culture, the vacation time Parisians get off from work but think otherwise about the people. But my experience has been unlike what I had/have heard about Paris. But like any place, you met good people and not so appealing people. I have met and befriended some wonderful people here and look forward to seeing more of what Paris and the rest of France has to offer.
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 1 trackback }