Comments on: In defence of French hospitality

By: Hugo vandenBerg

Hugo vandenBerg — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 17:23:55 +0000

In europe there are big languages (more than 50 million native speakers in a contiguous area) and small languages. In the small language areas tourists are not expected to speak the native language…so they are treated warmly even when they don’t make the effort. Go to Portugal, and the older lady will go out of her way to get her grandson/grand daughter who can speak some english to get the conversation flowing again. Never seen that in the big language areas. Hey I’m dutch, I may be wrong.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:48:17 +0000

Glad to hear so many nice things said about the French people. Stereotypes are there to be shattered… thank you for the comments and sharing your experiences.

By: My Kafkaesque Life

My Kafkaesque Life — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:07:53 +0000

French people are usually very friendly, especially outside Paris. I guess the stereotype was created during world wars to somehow fit the political brainwashing of that time. Reality is always different.

By: Ted Nelson

Ted Nelson — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:53:33 +0000

I spent over a month in Normandy my last year in college studying and we traveled around extensively to other areas in France. In that time not one French person was rude to me. Hear in the U.S. we have the same stereotype of rude French people. When they are rude to Americans, I am sure they have good reason to be and the fault lies with the tourist not the host. Your tip about speaking the language and their formalness is spot on. They even have a separate pronoun for “you” when speaking formally with people you do not know and with more senior people.

By: Carol@trekdigest

Carol@trekdigest — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 23:03:37 +0000

We travelled by train throughout France for a month, and in all ways, this was one of the best holidays I have ever had. If we spoke English, or limited French, I found the people of France to be friendly and helpful. I was tremendously impressed, and I would say that France is highly tourist-friendly. I learned some French in school (another Canadian) and for several months before we went I refreshed my French by computer learning and IPod presentations. If I run into people who are shy about travelling, I recommend that they go to France.

By: Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:54:37 +0000

So true, Mark! However flawless the French I speak sounds in my head, the reply too often comes back in perfect English. But like you say, it’s making the effort that gains the respect…

Dave and Deb, I hope you’ll have an ash-free flight over! Where are you heading in France? You guys sure do some serious miles

By: Dave and Deb

Dave and Deb — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:57:16 +0000

Your post comes at a perfect time. We leave for France on the first of May. Coming from Canada, you would think that we are fluent in French, but Dave and I grew up in English speaking Canada and our French is limited as well. We took it all through school though and have enough to get by. We have been to Frane twice before and have found it to be quite friendly. Like you said, when we try to order our food with our terrible French, we are answered with fluent English and a friendly smile. And then they say “are you from Canada?” Everyone just loves it when you try to speak their language. I wish I was fluent, but at least I still have fun trying.
The French in Quebec Canada are the same as well. Give it a try and they are friendly and kind. Start talking to them in English right off the bat, and they will pretend not to understand a word:-)

By: Mark Pawlak

Mark Pawlak — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:38:00 +0000

I think the same goes for most countries: make an effort to speak the language and it will be repaid tenfold. It is frustrating however, when your best, albeit slow foreign language skills, are met with rapid-fire responses, or with English. The cheek of it! I spent three years at school perfecting how to ask for directions at a train station, and they just ignore it. It wouldn’t be so bad, if foreigners’ English wasn’t often so good!