Why do French people create problems for the tourists?

Question

Why do French people create problems for the tourists?

Answer 1

By restraining answering any kind of provocationlike question such as yours, french will resist you and this probably you'll find annoying if not already in your past experience :

Why ?    :   what kind of answer do you reply ? have you ever been to France

                   what was your problem ? how did you solve it ? did you survive ?

French people ? : if you ask your question considering F.P. as a whole - the

                    whole will react as a whole which feels insulted

                    if you always behave, on the same way you ask your question,

                    you'll have problems everywhere - mainly seen the level of your $

Create problems ? : the problem is generally something unusual creating

                     a collapse in a continuity - you are the dis-continuity - when I come

                     in a room full of people I am the one who says "bonjour"

For the tourists ? :   Millions of tourists each year in France - you're nothing

                     exceptional - France is in the world the country having each year

                     the highest number of tourists ?

Now concerning the complete articulation of your question, I would say first that you are not anglo-american, and that it is not a question. - but kind of poor individual vindicative assertion -

Answer 2

Because the tourists are too stupid to realize that they make their own problems.

Answer 3

They are French; they cannot do much else!

Answer 4

Why americans do war all around the world?????

Why americans are totaly ignorant about hystory geography...and generaly about world actuality???

french citizen don t do problems for tourist because we are the first touristic place but we d on t like stupidity

Answer 5

French people are not raised to be friendly to people they don't know. They keep people at arms' length until they know them better. Actually French people who are too friendly with me put me ill at ease because I know it's not natural to them and I'm wondering what they want from me...and I've only been French since 2002!

A good example is if I'm on a bus and the woman next to me starts talking with me. In the U.S., I'll join in and chat away. If that happens in France, I'll try to get away from her. I'll wonder if she's a religious fanatic or mental patient. Some tourists have ended up in uncomfortable situations because someone "friendly" came up to them. I can honestly caution you against French people who are too quick to try to get to know you.

Part of the "trick" to dealing with them is not to be too friendly right away. Always say "bonjour" and use lots of "madames" and "monsieurs". If you get resistence to what you need, back off and try another approach, like saying "I really want to do X" or go to Y, etc. "but I'm can't seem to..." Don't just repeat what you need. The French don't have the anglophone dread of repeating things.

They like stories but keep it short. Make them the potiential hero of the tale. "Oh hansome prince of my dreams, save me from the tower!" Taping into their expertise on something or asking them their opinion often works well. Some French people just need a little entertainment in their lives so do them the honor...

Customer service does not come naturally to them and they aren't too concerned about what others think of them, which makes teamwork kind of a nightmare. It also helps to be very, very clear about things and don't assume they can deduct anything, especially if there's a language issue.

Remember that they always finish with one customer before going to the next one. After 12 years in France, it still drives me batty. Don't let it get to you. Try to find someone else or come back if the person before you is just dragging on and on.

French people aren't evil but they are more reserved and have very different ideas of politeness and privacy. I have learned that first impressions are very misleading. You'll find that if you respect their boundries, they may be more inclined to redraw them.

For me, it was a huge cultural shock, being American, working in customer service myself and then moving to France from Asia where Customer is King. I wasn't used to waiting for anything! France is getting better but they still have room for improvement. Just make sure you approach each encounter with patience and give it more time than you would elsewhere.

Answer 6

They don't (unless you deserve it).  People who say they do have never been to France.  

In reality the French people are really nice, warm, and friendly.  

The only rule is "mutual respect".  You must respect them and their culture and show it or you'll get treated a bit badly.

Americans do the same thing to Mexicans who do not speak English.

So, when you travel simply treat people with respect and learn some of their language and customs.  It is not the same as the U.S. here and we have a very different idea of expected behaviour.

French are more formal and require that you speak at least some french.  

Also, try not to be the typical "rude" American: don't talk so loud, don't over-tip, don't interrupt without asking permission, don't be so demanding.

Answer 7

because they don't need to do war to be respected ....

Answer 8

They only have problems with Americans who don't attempt to try to speak french. Do you like it when you go to a public place and someone is only speaking Spanish? They feel the same way. They have no other porblems with tourists. Theyare VERY friendly people. Also-- it's not the FRENCH--- it's the Parisians.