I am an American, but if I were to move to Paris, France would I be ostracized and ignored?

Question

I am an American, but if I were to move to Paris, France would I be ostracized and ignored?

Answer 1

Are you ostracized and ignored in the US.? It's the same thing. Most people in Paris behave the way they would in New York or any other big city.

Answer 2

It is what you make it. The world holds no Utopic havens. Visit first and make sure your finances are such you're okay. If you're just going for a visit and are going for cultural reasons your fears are unfounded. If you're going to stay anyplace other on earth apart from your native origins, that's something else again. Just remember, we're all alike. Human!

Answer 3

No, not if you put in an effort to learn the language and do your best to adapt to the culture.

There may be a few snickers and remarks on some rare occasions, but the image of the American-hating Parisian is a stereotype if you try to adapt.

If you do not try to adapt and always insist on speaking English for example, chances are you may be ostracized, so it all comes down to you! It also depends on where you are. Try to avoid the touristic places.

Answer 4

The short answer is no.

In some 35 years of regularly visiting Paris I have never had any problems getting along with people and making friends.  

I say this as am American who would never stoop to claiming to be a Canadian or any other nationality but my own. Furthermore, as a politically conservative person I tend to have serious political disagreements with many people I encounter in Paris.

But just as I can disagree with my fellow Americans about politics and remain on friendly terms, so I have no difficulty at all doing the same with Parisians.

The French tend to be more interested in politics and current affairs than most Americans. Poltical debate is almost a national sport and they are very good at it. Honest disagreement and reasoned argument are no bar to positive interaction. Indeed, I think one reason I get along with Parisians so well is that they appreciate a good argument.

In fact, the only people who I have noticed behave or speak crudely about America are other Americans. trying to curry favor with the locals under the dimwitted assumption that being anti-American will make you popular (ithe same type who think its clever to pretend to be Canadians...i.e. morons)

Last March I was at a gathering in Paris with a mixed French and  American group. I was having a spirited argument with a Parisian about the war in Iraq. An American girl furiously admonished me to "stop acting like an ugly American." The Parisian I was arguing with turned to her and said "Actually, he's acting like a Frenchman. We argue all the time."

The bottom line is that if Parisians have some pungent things to say about George W. they have equally pungent things to say about Jacques Chirac.

So my adivce is be yourself and express yourself. Just be sure that whatever your opinion is you are capable of defending it intelligently. One little hint though, the French are really tired of being told how American saved their necks in World War II, so come up with something better to say than that.

Answer 5

of course not!!

Answer 6

no , why .? =))

Answer 7

I don't think so dude!

Answer 8

Most likely you'd be ignored as the French do NOT like us ugly Americans except for the tourist dollars we spend.

Answer 9

I will put it this way...when ever I used to travel...I rarely told anyone that I was an American, and this was back in the 70's and 80's.   I usually told them I was Canadian.   Even now there are companies that put out manuals for American travelers on how to pretend to be Canadian.