France - Travelling in France

Hi,

I recently found this article on traveller's opinions and experiences in France:
http://www.travel-news.co.uk/4716/2012/07/france-scores-high-on-welcoming-visitors/

The original study can be found here:
http://blog212.dauphine.fr/study-dauphine-csa/

I was wondering if people who have recently travelled in France could share the experience they had with the French, and if they felt welcome.

Sending to the France forum, given the OP's question.

cblaisd
Moderator, Travel News

Welcome to FT, Marie22. This is kind of an odd first post but I'll bite. I've been traveling to France for many years, the last visit was May of this year. The French are very welcoming IMO. Over the years, we've had many French people go very much out of their way to be helpful. Entering a store with a bonjour goes a long way too.

Bobette

I don't understand why the French have such a bad reputation. France is one of my favorite destinations and I speak very little French. Be polite and take your cues from the French. Bobette is right--a simple greeting goes a long way.

The people in Paris were polite when I went. Just use your common sense. Don't bother someone in a rush. Try your best to address them: bonjour monsier/madame, parlez-vous anglais? After that opener, you can now speak English without being rude.

Rudest person I met in/around Paris was actually a British lady, at the Versailles-Rive Gauche RER station.

Thanks for information.

I don't understand why the French have such a bad reputation. France is one of my favorite destinations and I speak very little French. Be polite and take your cues from the French.

I also fail to understand the perception after returning from a 10 day stay in an apartment in 7er in early June. Even the taxi driver was quite willing to help me find a fairly out-of-the-way sidestreet and almost all the locals I asked for help with directions or assistance were quite obliging.

in the 50's and the 60's we had Gaullism. charles de gaulle was very pro french, and very anti american. the entire country followed. we started visiting in the late 70's the people of france could not have been nicer to us. it is not like nyc, or dc.

I also fail to understand the perception after returning from a 10 day stay in an apartment in 7er in early June. Even the taxi driver was quite willing to help me find a fairly out-of-the-way sidestreet and almost all the locals I asked for help with directions or assistance were quite obliging.

Just a hunch:D, but I'm guessing that you were always polite in the way you approached people while you were there...that would appear to make all the difference in peoples' experience in Paris

Just a hunch:D, but I'm guessing that you were always polite in the way you approached people while you were there...that would appear to make all the difference in peoples' experience in ParisHear, hear!

We've visited Europe a number of times, and at least a half-dozen visits to Paris, central France, and the Riviera area. At no time did I ever get the impression that the French were at all snooty or rude. Of course, I gently reminded my family (not that they really needed it) that a little politeness goes a long way.

I have found that to be true moreso in Europe and other "civilized" parts of the world (with the emphasis on "civil") than is often the case in places like NYC.

Oh, and the brusqueness of French waiters is part of their job description -- don't take it personal. :)

Hear, hear!

We've visited Europe a number of times, and at least a half-dozen visits to Paris, central France, and the Riviera area. At no time did I ever get the impression that the French were at all snooty or rude. Of course, I gently reminded my family (not that they really needed it) that a little politeness goes a long way.

I have found that to be true moreso in Europe and other "civilized" parts of the world (with the emphasis on "civil") than is often the case in places like NYC.

Oh, and the brusqueness of French waiters is part of their job description -- don't take it personal. :)

And you'll often get a cheeky smile or a wink out of one of those "brusque" waiters if they notice that you understand what the service is all about!

I've told this before, but it's worth mentioning again. I have a Parisian friend who is one of the most well-travelled people you could ever meet. She understands as well as anybody the difficulties of being a foreign visitor - she speaks exactly three words of English.

At home in Paris she is constantly being bombarded by tourists who barge up to her in the street and start yammering away in English at her, no "parlez-vous anglais", no apologetic smile, no nothing - they might as well be speaking Swahili. It drives her to distraction, she attempts to remain polite to people but it really wears her patience thin. I suspect that she has been the subject of many a story back home where she is one of "those rude French people who pretend they don't speak English".

11 or 12 trips to France (yeah, lost count) and obviously I love the place. My home away from home, despite dreadful foreign language skills. Not so bad reading, and I can string words together, but my catch phrase is je parlais francais come une vache espagnol. Always good for a smile, and when followed up with "vous parlais francais?" it sounds like you're at least trying. A little.

Went into a train station in Lannemezan, between Toulouse and Lourdes. Asked for a pair of ticket for Lourdes. "Je voudrais duex billets por Lourdes sil vous plait?" Ohmygosh, the 60s-ish woman behind the glass threw up her hands and gave me an expression like I was a vampire or something. Totally bizarre! We ended up getting the tickets on the train, no problem. As we were waiting on the platform, my son and I watched as she went outside and was obviously talking about me with another employee.

Aside from that, I've had wonderful experiences everywhere I've gone. Oh, right, there's that strange thing in Paris where you try to speak your dreadful French and they look at you like you're nuts, why are you wasting their time, and speak perfect English back to you. And that time when I was wearing shorts in late September, just past tourist season, and was followed around for awhile by a street performer (a mime) making fun of me. But I learned long ago that, if someone has a laugh at my expense, what did it really cost me?

Keep a sense of humor, spend a bit of time figuring out how things work, and when someone say they speak a "little" English, always remember to compliment them on how well they actually do speak English (which is typically very well, but they're concerned it's not as good as they wish, and a compliment truly goes over really big and can make their day. Seriously.)
I've told this before, but it's worth mentioning again. I have a Parisian friend who is one of the most well-travelled people you could ever meet. She understands as well as anybody the difficulties of being a foreign visitor - she speaks exactly three words of English.

At home in Paris she is constantly being bombarded by tourists who barge up to her in the street and start yammering away in English at her, no "parlez-vous anglais", no apologetic smile, no nothing - they might as well be speaking Swahili. It drives her to distraction, she attempts to remain polite to people but it really wears her patience thin. I suspect that she has been the subject of many a story back home where she is one of "those rude French people who pretend they don't speak English".Which is very different from my situation in the train station, because my French, although dreadful, was functional enough that almost anyone who cared to could figure out what I was asking. And, until this time, always have. Sure, I should be shot from crime against the French language because, if I don't know how to say the number 907 in French (which I don't), I'll say neuf zéro sept. And they get it. And maybe they'll have a laugh with me over it. Great!

I am a bit curious about your well-traveled French friend who knows only three words of English though. I've noticed a huge change in Europe over the past decade, with English becoming the lowest-common-denominator language between countries in the Euro zone. This should have been forseen; the adoption of the Euro tied countries together in many ways, but no country wants to adopt the language of the other country as the default language for transactions. So you use a language that is native to neither. If you're Italian and dealing with Germans, it would be insulting to have to adopt German for all communications. And vice versa. But there's no shame in choosing a 3rd party language. The same thing is going on in China. When my wife and I visited last November, we were surprised to see the degree of adoption of English, and it was explained to us that there are so many versions (dialects) of Chinese, often with little overlap, that English is becoming the go-to language for many inter-regional correspondences. What's spoken in Beijing doesn't fly in many parts of the country. Who knew?

I've always had nothing but wonderful experiences in France, both in Paris and throughout the rest of the country. I'm not fluent in French, but I can make myself reasonably understood, and understand what is said to me. After the mandatory, "bonjour," I start most conversations with, "Je suis tres desole, mais je ne parle pas francais bien, mais j'esserai." These either earns me a, "No, no, monsieur, you speak French very well!" -- in English -- or a pleasant, "How may I help you?" in French. I've found the French to be very accommodating and welcoming. And, interestingly enough, Mrs. Ptravel, who speaks no French whatsoever, has had exactly the same experience.

France is a wonderful country to visit. We've been many times and can't wait to return.

Keep a sense of humor, spend a bit of time figuring out how things work, and when someone say they speak a "little" English, always remember to compliment them on how well they actually do speak English (which is typically very well, but they're concerned it's not as good as they wish, and a compliment truly goes over really big and can make their day. Seriously.)
We were in cap d'Ail (Marriott) a couple of years ago. Around the corner is a litte epicerie run by a French family - two brothers and two sisters, IIRC.

Anyhow, conversing with one of the brothers in English was so smooth, and his English was so flawless, I assumed he was an ex-pat from the USA. Mais non!. Born in France, learned English in order to do business. I was astounded how well he spoke and told him so.

Naturally, every time we came back he remembered us and the service was outstanding.

Just sayin', if France is so bad in terms of how they treat foreigners etc., why are they the most-popular tourist destination? Is there a deep-rooted masochistic need in all of us that the French have tapped into? :D

Being french canadian, I have no problem speaking with french people, of course, but I can tell you that sometimes they do not want to understand my french and they can be very rude.

A guide a the Louvres was so rude at me when I wanted to ask where were the restroom. I said "pardonnez-moi, où sont les toilettes?" (Excuse me, where is the restroom). She answered by saying "on commence par dire bonjour" (you can start by saying bonjour). I was astonished!

I think it is not the french in general but a kind of people that exist in every nationality.

Excuse my english, I know it's not perfect!

A guide a the Louvres was so rude at me when I wanted to ask where were the restroom. I said "pardonnez-moi, où sont les toilettes?" (Excuse me, where is the restroom). She answered by saying "on commence par dire bonjour" (you can start by saying bonjour). I was astonished!


But in her eyes, you were the one being rude and she was educating you. In the future you will probably remember to start with bonjour.

A certain amount of what people consider rude stems from the cultural differences and expectations. From what I've seen, the French are definitely more formal than their Canadian cousins.

And yes, then there are people who are just plain rude.

Il faut de tout pour faire un monde--it takes all kinds of people to make a world.

But in her eyes, you were the one being rude and she was educating you. In the future you will probably remember to start with bonjour.

A certain amount of what people consider rude stems from the cultural differences and expectations. From what I've seen, the French are definitely more formal than their Canadian cousins.

And yes, then there are people who are just plain rude.

Il faut de tout pour faire un monde--it takes all kinds of people to make a world.From an American's perspective, inflection is what creates a sense of rudeness or civility. Same words, totally different meaning. That's what gets us into trouble, because we can ask in a way that we see as being exceptionally-nice and contrite, but because it was not preceeded by "Bonjour!" and ended with "Si'l vous plait" it becomes "rude."

On the French side, you have a language that is almost literally lyrical at times, words placed together that sound not at all like the two words separately, which simply does not occur in English. Tonality isn't entirely irrelevant but is far less important.

Both sides in any cultural interaction benefit from giving the other a bit of slack, and learning why things are different.

Me? I'm a "systems" sort of guy. I have no problem understanding the requirement of starting out with "Bonjour" and ending with "Si'l vous plait" because that's simply the way things work. But my command of French is beyond dreadful. I just string words together between the greeting and ending, and somehow, it all works out.

My son? Entirely different. He speaks French quite well, but doesn't understand the need to start with Bonjour and especially the need to end with Si'l vous plait. He can handle a relatively complex transaction, but forgets and doesn't understand the need for the formalities.

In the end, I think we rationalize that whatever we do well, is what must be right. Whether French or American.

But in her eyes, you were the one being rude and she was educating you. In the future you will probably remember to start with bonjour.

A certain amount of what people consider rude stems from the cultural differences and expectations. From what I've seen, the French are definitely more formal than their Canadian cousins.

And yes, then there are people who are just plain rude.

Il faut de tout pour faire un monde--it takes all kinds of people to make a world.

yes people of france can be most friendly as you respect ther customs....i am married to one i meet in paris...as american be your self and they will love....speek with your hands is motto i keep.... people are general nice

And yes, then there are people who are just plain rude.

Il faut de tout pour faire un monde--it takes all kinds of people to make a world.

However I should point-out that there are a couple of them @ the Louvre who love to "teach' them tourists ;)
And "elles sont plus royalistes que le roi" if one can understand my politically correct "double-entendre"

However I should point-out that there are a couple of them @ the Louvre who love to "teach' them tourists ;)
And "elles sont plus royalistes que le roi" if one can understand my politically correct "double-entendre"Everywhere you go, you will find a few people who feel better about themselves because they know more than someone else (and are more interested in making sure you know this, rather than helping you understand). France doesn't have a monopoly on this, but when different languages and customs are involved, it becomes highly memorable compared to similar behaviour back home.

My next trip to France in 10 days will be interesting, because my wife will almost literally embrace anyone who speaks English, while I have a lot more fun trying to communicate with those who speak just a little (or even, perhaps, none). Makes for some interesting times; can't tell you how embarassed I was in a train station 7 or 8 years ago when she told the agent "Thank goodness you speak english!" Um... no... that's not what you do. You compliment them on their exceptional command of English, and perhaps tell them that you wish you spoke French as well as they speak English.

Anyway, I look forward to someone trying to up their quota of dealing with dumb tourists at my expense. I will laugh with them, I will always smile, and I will not let them determine my mood. :D

Everywhere you go, you will find a few people who feel better about themselves because they know more than someone else (and are more interested in making sure you know this, rather than helping you understand). France doesn't have a monopoly on this, but when different languages and customs are involved, it becomes highly memorable compared to similar behaviour back home.

My next trip to France in 10 days will be interesting, because my wife will almost literally embrace anyone who speaks English, while I have a lot more fun trying to communicate with those who speak just a little (or even, perhaps, none). Makes for some interesting times; can't tell you how embarassed I was in a train station 7 or 8 years ago when she told the agent "Thank goodness you speak english!" Um... no... that's not what you do. You compliment them on their exceptional command of English, and perhaps tell them that you wish you spoke French as well as they speak English.

Anyway, I look forward to someone trying to up their quota of dealing with dumb tourists at my expense. I will laugh with them, I will always smile, and I will not let them determine my mood. :D
I can relate. I once needed a haircut and decided to try a place down the street where I was staying in the 4eme. No one in the shop spoke English, but they lady was insistent that we give it a try. It was a little awkward but in the end, it wasn't the worst haircut I've had :)

Everywhere you go, you will find a few people who feel better about themselves because they know more than someone else (and are more interested in making sure you know this, rather than helping you understand). France doesn't have a monopoly on this, but when different languages and customs are involved, it becomes highly memorable compared to similar behaviour back home.

My next trip to France in 10 days will be interesting, because my wife will almost literally embrace anyone who speaks English, while I have a lot more fun trying to communicate with those who speak just a little (or even, perhaps, none). Makes for some interesting times; can't tell you how embarassed I was in a train station 7 or 8 years ago when she told the agent "Thank goodness you speak english!" Um... no... that's not what you do. You compliment them on their exceptional command of English, and perhaps tell them that you wish you spoke French as well as they speak English.

Anyway, I look forward to someone trying to up their quota of dealing with dumb tourists at my expense. I will laugh with them, I will always smile, and I will not let them determine my mood. :D

I don't have problem with the language - mother tongue is French and no complaints about France except for a couple of attendants @ the Louvre. The best experience I have had over the years is at the musée de la Légion d'honneur across from Orsay . An attendant spent 20 minutes with us to explain one section of one of the rooms when he overheard us discussing about a certain personality who got the cross of la légion.

When I was in France last June while waiting for the Thalys in the Gare du Nord(which had broken down), this Irish bloke walks up to me and asks me "Excusez-moi monsieur, parlez-vous Anglais?" So I said "yes I do", he then went on to ask "un peu?" So I "replied, I speak English quite well"
He aparrently came from CDG to to the Gare Du Nord in a taxi (why exactly one would do that is beyond me) because he said he needed to get a TGV to the gare du nord from CDG (which doesn't exist) and then needed to get a connecting train at the Gare Monparnasse. So I told him in no uncertain terms he was at the wrong station. at this point he had about half an hour to get his connecting train, so I explained him how to get there using the RER and the métro, but he insisted on taking a taxi. I told him he'd make it with time to spare if he took the RER and métro but I have no idea how long a taxi would take (it would depend on how much trafiic there was after all).
Wether he made it to the Gare Montparnasse in time is anyone's guess though.

But yes, I've found the French to be quite helpful mostly.

The persistence of this stereotype is a mystery to me. Like the others posting here I've not had a bad experience in France either, and actually find the opposite to be true. I enjoy the spirit of the country and find the people in general much warmer than in many countries I routinely visit and have lived. I would guess that most French-bashing is done by people who have never left their home countries, let alone visited France.

The persistence of this stereotype is a mystery to me. Like the others posting here I've not had a bad experience in France either, and actually find the opposite to be true. I enjoy the spirit of the country and find the people in general much warmer than in many countries I routinely visit and have lived. I would guess that most French-bashing is done by people who have never left their home countries, let alone visited France.Do you embrace the familiar (when you travel) or seek out the differences? Pretty sure I know which! But for many, they travel and they want it to be "easy" and that means familiar. Anything that gets in the way of that upsets them, because they're on a vacation and they don't want to have to engage their brains, they just want to see nice things and take pictures to show people back home.

This isn't a "France" thing. France gets picked on because it's a popular destination (so there's more people to complain) and because it's by far the most-popular foreign-speaking destination for Americans. They think they know France from seeing it in movies, and in the France they know, people speak English.

(And you never see a movie where the characters travel to a new place and have some clumsy beginning before they figure it out... they either have it figured out from the start, or they're clumsly all the way through)

If only people would have different expectations for their travels... if they would look forward to figuring things out and consider that some of the most memorable (and best) times happen when things don't go according to plan. If they would spend the first day or two working out how things work, because every place on the planet has a system, a way of doing things, and you figure that out and the rest is easy.

In 4 days I face this all again, bringing my wife back to France this time, which will be a very different experience than when I'm on my own or with my son. She'd rather not have "fun" with the differences. :D