What are people in France like?

Question

Are they rude, kind, or like Americans-all different and not knowing what to expect?

Answer 1

Individuals in France are no better or worse than individuals in America and just as varied in their beliefs, attitudes and prejudices.

I visit France regularly and have no problem with people there.

This is not to say that fools cannot be found in both countries but there is no point in either exaggerating the numbers or being overly concerned about a possible encounter with such a person.

There are, however, some cultural differences you should take heed of to avoid either giving offense or taking it when none is intended.

Generally speaking the French are more formal than most North Americans.

In everyday speech this means appending "s'il vous plâit" to any request. It means saying "je voudrais" and not "donnez moi" when ordering from a menu. It means calling the waiter "Monsieur" and not "Garçon." It means greeting the staff at a shop with "Bonjour" (madam or monsieur as appropriate).

The French tend to follow the older practice of not calling each other by first names or using the familiar without at least some acquaintance (although this is not so much true of young people).

The easy presumption of friendship or the discussing of personal matters with relative strangers that is common in North America is sometimes seen as boorish or crude by the French.

Americans in particular who will talk about the intimate details of their love lives, the state of their personal finances, and the cost of everything they own with someone they met ten minutes ago are, for that reason, regarded as utterly outré.

On the other hand, Americans, who have been taught to never discuss politics or religion, sometimes think they are being singled out for abuse when the French express their opinions on such matters. They are not, of course. They are simply engaging in the second most popular French indoor sport (and the one that does not usually require a bed).

And while it is true that there are more Frenchmen who speak English than Americans (or Brits) who speak French, not everyone speaks English. I am astounded at the number of people here and on other internet forums who believe the French don't speak English merely to be rude (as if everyone in the world was obligated to speak English).

Travel is said to be "broadening" yet there seem to be a lot of people who go to another country and then express outrage that it is not exactly like home. Don't be one of them.

Keep an open mind and an open heart. Be as accepting of others as you would want them to be of you.  Do that, and, in France (and almost anywhere on Earth), you will find a wonderful experience and new friends.

Answer 2

I just came bac frum there this morning and i alwayz  used to think that they were all so rude but i found out they are all pretty different sum will stop and try to talk to you even if you dont the language very well while others will glare at you for just being there. So it really depends but the one thing that is the same about all of them especially in paris is they are all in a rush and if you get in their way they wont stop or turn they will take you down. No matter whether they are in a car or not, if you get in their way even the little kids will run you rite over.

Answer 3

extremely rude and unhelpful particularly in Paris but i am English and we share a mutual hatred

Answer 4

Like everywhere else there are good and bad.

I think the reason Anglophones find the French "rude" is because most French people love to talk and say what is on their mind. For one thing they are perhaps a little too direct compared to the Brits, like myself.

In the UK we are pretty standoffish and would rather keep anything we could consider offensive to ourselves rather than let it out in the open.

Being direct and open can be considered rude, especially when it can be unwanted advice. But I think the French are like that because they are open minded and generally kind - but we just don't interprete openess in that way, and would be inclined to say "mind your own business".

So it's not rudeness - just curiosity and an open spirit in most things.

The French really do love to talk, and spend hours at the dinner table doing so - something that is alien to people from English speaking countries.

It's really a different pace of life.

I live in the Paris area - which can often be an exception to the rest of France. People often don't have the time and can be rather selfish and suspicious of new people. But I've found the rest of France to be totally different, out in the "provinces".

Answer 5

i had a french exchange student stay at my house. his name was ben, and he was pretty cool. my parents thought he was kind of arrogant but he didn't seem like that to me. he was funny...wore a ton of cologne (they all do), and talked about s*x a lot haha. i met the other exchange students too and they were pretty cool. i think theyre just like americans- only cooler and maybe a bit on the s****. side.

Answer 6

they are pretty much like americans in that it all depends on who you come in contact with.

if you are nice to them, then they are nice to you.  if you try to speak french, then they usually appreciate it and many will end up speaking to you in english, b/c many french people know english as a second language.

there are some cultural differences, though.

french people tend to be close knit in their families and friends.

here, in the US, we may have MANY people we consider close friends, but in france people generally have a small group of friends they consider to be like family. i hope that makes sense.

they generally greet with a "bise"..that's the kissing on the cheeks.  however many kisses you give is usually determined by whatever is in vogue at the time.  sometimes just once each cheek, sometimes twice.

they have very long meals.  many courses.  their salad is usually towards the end of the meal and we normally eat ours first.

i'm getting off subject....

i've met MANY french people and they have all be very kind and interested in america and learning our culture and language.  one friend in particular, sara, kept a notebook of all the curse words and slang she learned.  i taught her how to say that my father is full of bullsh*t.  she thought that was a RIOT!  (my dad took it pretty well when she told him this the next day at work....they got a big laugh)

so, to answer your question...they are just like us.  some may have a bad day and will be rude.  some may just be rude by nature, but most people will be welcoming and kind.

take care.

EDIT:

my advice is that if you are travelling to france, then be kind and hopefully, you will receive kindness in return.

many times arrogance and rudeness is actually language and cultural barriers.

new yorkers have a reputation for being mean, but my experience with new yorkers is that they just don't have time to mess around, but they are very nice if you are nice to them...just gotta keep up!

Answer 7

their really really french see the dont like their culture being watered down to american style they adore things american our movies and foods and culture but to admit it is a huge sin id do a tour with a group unless you want to have small problems if i had a perfect accent id go alone but to speak french to them incorrectly is to incurr their distain