Are the french mean when it comes to spending their money ?

Question

iam sorry for asking this question i dont mean to be rude but i was watching a british tv program yesterday and they were doing a poll on the least spending people in the world . and they rated the french and the scots as the stingiest people in europe is that true or is it just a stereotype ??

Answer 1

I think it is a little ridiculous to speculate that how much a person spends is relative to their country of origin.  I have traveled several times to France, I have french friends, and have found the people gracious and generous in money and otherwise. Perhaps you should travel to find out for yourself. Anyone who claims to know scientifically that a group of people with a certain ethnic background is superior or inferior is following the same logic as Hitler.

Answer 2

Well, I don't know about the stingiest people but certainly the rudest!

Answer 3

I've heard that they're only rude to people who seem to make no attempt to speak French

Answer 4

Well, yes and no.

The French have some of the lowest disposable incomes amongst the large industrial nations because their government absorbs such a huge proportion of the GDP. This also means that they receive a lot of benefits.

The result is that government has replaced the private sector in many areas and the French, being accustomed to things being taken care of by government are relatively unconcerned with private charity.

The situation is the reverse of the USA where government takes a relatively much smaller portion of private income and gives few benefits. As a result, Americans are some of the most generous charitable givers in the world.

On the other hand, the French are accustomed to tipping for services. Ushers in movie theatres and public toilet attendants and a host of other people who either don't exist in the work force in the USA or who are not customarily tipped exist in the French work force.

As a result, the French will, for example,  toss a few coins to almost anyone sitting on the sidewalk playing a guitar no matter how godawful they are because they are used to paying for services even if they don't ask for them.

Answer 5

Let's me give you another point of view. I'm French, I lived in the US and I'm currently living in Ireland.

Generally speaking the French are not mean when it comes to spending their money but they don't like to waste it and they want quality and quantity for their money. Whereas in Ireland, for example, they just buy what they need regardless of the price.

Another thing as well is that in France, you have to save money to pay your income taxes where in Ireland and in the US the taxes are deducted at the source. Therefore the money you get is the money you can spend. I hope this helps!!

Answer 6

I don't see French but Candians yes they do that, just go to YellowKnife & you will see geltlemen peeing everywhere I mean just look at their class.

French People are good looking, intelligent, Charisma & they don't fight for a quarter like those d**n Canadians. Have you ever been to Canada? Those drivers will even kill you for a quarter.

Answer 7

No. They are just mean when they are talking to Americans!

Answer 8

Why English people always buy houses in France ????

Do you think that France is a part of the UK ???

French are not rude they are honest and say what they think even if it hurt people !

Answer 9

Personally I wasn't even aware that there was such a stereotype concerning the French. There's an unflattering and insulting depiction available for any nationality/ethnicity/race/religious group, etc, but I wasn't aware that being cheap was one of the ones making the rounds concerning French people. I wouldn't pay too much attention to that program if I were you...

Answer 10

I do not know if we are mean, but we do enjoy bargaining for sure ! and also to complain about high prices ! always demanding for low prices and high quality !

This may create the impression that we are stingy, but I do not think we are, we can spend a lot of money, for things which worth it !

Concerning the idea that we are the rudest : I think it concerns specially Parisian people. When you go to smallest towns, especially Western coast, you will see that there is a lot of affable, welcoming and hospitable people !