Is it true that when you visit France and only speak a bit of their language the french people can be rude?

Question

I'm Australian

Speak a bit of french.

Answer 1

no thats not true really,if you just speak in your own language then they can be a little of putting but they love it if you at least try to speak a little of french even if its a simple 'bonjour'.

Answer 2

In my experience, if you make the effort to speak any French at all it is appreciated, and the people are not rude at all.

The exception is Paris, where some people have such a superior attitude that even perfect French wouldn't stop them from being rude. That said, most people are nice, even in Paris, whether you speak French or not.

Answer 3

It really depends! It seems to me that if you try to speak French, French people will really appreciate it ... even if you admit that you don't speak very well! I strongly advise you to begin a conversation speaking in French, and speak English after if you wish...and if the person understands!

Answer 4

Just don't act as if everybody HAS to speak your language and we may be not to rude :-D

Seriously, I can't speak in the name of all of my compatriots but i'd love to be asked anything by an english speaking person who tries to practise french, and i'd be just thrilled to answer in my awful accent and help, or at least make him laugh !!

If you need a teacher, i'm looking for a penpal !

Answer 5

On the opposite, I quite relish being asked a question in English on the streets.

But, if you have to stop a passers-by, start by "Excusez-moi, Madame/Monsieur/Mademoiselle. Bonjour/bonsoir... hem... can you speak English ?".

And more important, resist the temptation to stress accentuated syllables to be better understood in English. On the contrary, it will help if you avoid "schwas" and pronounce every vowel at the same level.

Answer 6

I'm an xpat living in Paris and when I first arrived I spoke only a few words of French.  

My experience has been if you try at least to say a few words in French, the French people are very friendly.

If you walk up to a French person, and speak fast and loud in English assuming they owe you to understand, you will be considered rude and probably not get the best response.

If you ask "Parlez Vous l'Englaise?" they will say No or a little, rarely will you hear yes. No probably means a little as they are generally lacking confidence in speaking English, as we would be speaking French.

If they say no or a little, try what little French you know, or speak very slowly careful to articulate your words. Sometimes just saying an English word with a little bit of a French accent helps, as thousands of words are exactly the same in English as in French but just pronounced differently. Throwing in a Frech accent usually helps them identify the word better. In this paragraph alone many words are the same or very similar.  

It took me a few years before I answered yes to "Parelz Vous le Francaise"? "Do you Speak French?" More afraid I would understand but not be able to respond well enough. This is mostly the case with French people; they understand a lot just not sure they can respond well enough.

It is understandable when you start to seriously learn French as the grammar is opposite and a real puzzle to reverse.

One thing I noticed, if I smile a lot it really helped. French people generally have a "sulky" disposition and when you approach with a genuine broad smile they open their hearts unexpectedly as it is so rare to see!!

Good luck

Kind regards, Wendy

Answer 7

would you be irritated if someone came up to you in australia or the us and expected you to be able to speak french?

as long as you TRY to speak french when you talk with people, they're almost always very friendly and appreciative that you made the effort.

Answer 8

No, its not true although, of course, there are fools in every country and I can't guarantee you won't run into more than your fair share.

But much of what is taken as rude behavior is nothing of the sort and you need to be sensitive to what might be happening.

First, its not true, as one answer would have you believe that most French people speak English. Its just not true. So when confronted by a tourist (and they get a lot of tourists in France) who is gibbering at them in a language they don't understand they may just shrug and walk away. Its not rude its just self preservation.

The French are very focused on speaking well and even if they might understand some English may hesitate to speak with a stranger for fear they will be made to look a fool.

The French are also more formal than Aussies (or Yanks) and can find the easy informality and immediate assumption of familiarity of both to be crude and obnoxious. So mind your P's and Q's and act accordingly.

On the other hand, the French are very fond of debate and enjoy a good argument. I know that Americans in particular often see this as a matter of personal attack. Its not, its just their second favorite indoor sport.

So if you're off for a visit to Paris, don't worry about it. As I seem to recall my Aussie cousins saying "she'll be apples." (Did I get that right?)

Answer 9

I'm an American that as spent a little over 6 months in France over the past 15 years.  They are nowhere near as rude as the Germans or their reputation and the people who argued the most with me about politics or other stuff the French have a bone to pick with Americans on were actually quite charming and in no way translated their opinions into being rude on a personal level.  This includes the communist guy in St. Germain brewpub years ago and several discussions about President "Booosh".

Answer 10

I'm french and I never be rude! It depends of the people you meet like everywhere; ...

Answer 11

All you have to do is say 'Bonjour', with a smile and people are generally nice.  I just spent a week in the south of France and not one person was rude to me, and I do not speak any French at all besides a few simple phrases.

Many people do speak English, and want to practice it with you.  Most were helpful when I asked questions.  I wouldn't be worried---you'll be fine.

Answer 12

It depends on where you are in France . . . I have been treated rude in Paris on the streets in cafes, but that can't be said for all of Paris.   I have been told the French are friendlier in the south.  I hope to get to provence some time.  I have tried german with hopes the French would be understand me.  Stay with english if you speak english  . . .

Answer 13

speaking from experience, the french people are very proud of their language, sometimes even if they understand a bit of english they refuse to answer u in english, because u are the visitor in their country, so u should speak french when u r in france. and no, generally they are not rude. if u do speak a little of french then do so by all means, they will appreciate it.

Answer 14

when I visited australia by the past, When I ask a person if he speaks french I don't have any answer... I think australian people are very rude ....

Answer 15

I am an American and have been to France twice, and plan on retiring there Of course that's like 40 years away!). I speak not even a little French and truly the people could not have been kinder. People were always quick to translate for me, and others seemed to have a true interest in striking up conversations and practicing their English with me. I loved it there and i will go back again and again until I die!

Answer 16

Yes Tay, I found that to be the case, especially if you are a American, which is strange, because if it wasent for the Americans they would all be speaking German

They are pissed off that English is the universal language, not French.

Answer 17

Yes, but they appreciate you trying, and are a lot nicer than if you expect them all to know English (which they mostly do, but sometimes pretend they don't)!

Answer 18

It depends on person to person...stupid people are everywhere...

Answer 19

Depends.  Are you American, then yes.

Answer 20

They're rude and arrogant at the best of times. They don't need an excuse.

Answer 21

I just wanted to reiterate what Rillifane and Wendy said. I think they hit the nail on the head, and I also think that, as per usual, the France-bashers are by and large people who've never ventured very far from their hometowns. While there are rude people to be found everywhere, if you make a genuine effort to communicate in the local language (be it in France or elsewhere), or, failing that, at least speak English as slowly and clearly as possible, that will go a long way. As other posters rightfully point out, people who can't be bothered to make that effort will come across as rude and presumptuous, and are not likely to have many pleasant encounters with people as a result. In other words, your approach to interacting with people will generally go a long way towards setting the tone.

Answer 22

I was just talking to an American French teacher about this last week. She brings students to France every year. Many of them are not fluent of course and she has noticed that it depends on the person as to how helpful they are. She said that some tried to take advantage but if you think about it, there are Americans that do that to others when they are here and do not speak English.  I would have to say it depends on the person. Otherwise, we are just stereotyping and are as guilty as they are.

Answer 23

If you make the effort to speak french, even a little bit, no. What we hate is foreigners (generally americans) speaking english like if they were at home, quickly, with an accent. It's unrespectful (is this a word?).

Answer 24

Totally untrue. Quite the opposite. Just you can't assume that everyone speaks English like you can everywhere else in Europe. Struggle in French, give hand signals, then they more likely help you. Imagine you were in NYC and walk into a bar/restaurant and say "parlez vous francais? nous sommes francais". People will be rude.