Gadling

I must have only run into tourists, as I found French people to be as helpful as I wanted. I actually prefer people to be direct, and not badger me with chatter and casual talk. While dining out, I expect the staff to do their jobs, whereas in the USA, many casual dining places the wait staff actually sits at your table, like at a Joe's crab Shack, or similar restauraunt. I don't want the staff to sit with me. I don't want to be told to have a nice day, rather thank you, your welcome. I found France to be perfect for the visitor, with the exception of the Arab speaking, taxi drivers that do not speak English, and have a limited French vocabulary...or are just scam artists.

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I think this was a pretty stupid article. Im american living in paris working for a french company. The reason why people feel they are rude is because french to not bother to speak to someone who refuses to try and speak their own language in their own country. Its respect. And this gallic shrug- it makes you look like an idiot if you are american and not european...i recommend you do NOT do it. they will laugh at you and mock you.

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France is not only Paris. Even for French, Parisians are rude and arrogant.

I am French living abroad most of the time. each summer I come back to my country side. We enjoy to meet the people there. Yes they are direct and tell you want they mean. They even try to speak English. They are helpful and resourceful.

Paris in August is just nice as less Parisians there? Try it.

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France has never been on my itinerary....and never
will be. They love the American dollar, though. Until
they undergo a serious attitude adjustment, I will
continue to avoid their country at all costs!!

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I live in France.My observation has been this,the French have wonderful manners,they are VERY polite.The teenagers especially are outstandingly polite,friendly,and helpful.I suggest do not expect people to have bad manners and attitudes...smile and say Bonjour!

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Funny piece -- especially the Gallic Shrug -- so long as one doesn't take it too seriously. Have visited both the South of France and Paris twice and found Parisians to be particularly charming and helpful. It always helps when the tourist makes an effort to know the language. The French appreciate a modicum of effort. If one goes there, however, as your basic "Ugly American" -- refusing to learn even minimal courtesies in the language, traveling in tourist packs, etc. -- well, you may occasionally get the Gallic Shrug. And deservedly so.

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I must have visited a different country when I went to Paris a few years ago, everyone stated to me how unpleasant the French would be to tourists. So off I went with my high school French determined to practice. I have never met a more helpful friendly set of people. While they may have chuckled at my stammering attempts at "Bonjour" etc. I only received help, politeness and joy whereever I went. As a transposed "Brit" to the US I advise all not to submit to the "myth" but remember what we were all taught as children, be polite, smile, ask for help and remember anywhere we travel in world, we travel as guests and should act as guests.

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I am French, living in America...no comments.
Keravo

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I have been to France 6 or 7 times,mostly Paris, and have run into very few rude people. It's a big city, and in most big cities, you are going to have some rude folks. However, I have not found any more in Paris than elsewhere. If you go over there waving the American flag in their faces, and complaining that they did not support us in Iraq, well I suppose that they could be very rude indeed! However, I have found that if you make a small effort to attempt to speak their language (since you are, after all , visiting their country) most folks there are as polite as anywhere else....even the U.S., and maybe moreso!!!

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I don't think Parisians are any more rude than, for example, New Yorkers. There are several French citizens that have great pride in their country and expect tourists to at least attempt to speak French, while many tourists actually expect them to speak English. This has likely given them an unfairly bad reputation. On the other hand, there are exceptionally friendly French people who are glad to assist a lost tourist or give directions. As with anywhere you go, you'll run across both friendly people and rude people. It would be a shame to miss out on the many wonderful French landmarks because of fear of rudeness.

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To Jessjung (comment 2): Well then I guess we have your persmission to be rude to our visitors and immigrants because they can't speak the language? That is the biggest bunch of C... that I have ever heard. Not only will I not visit France because my experience there has been very uncomfortable, but I won't even purchase French products. There is rampant, uncontrolled anti-semitism in France causing a large emmigration to Israel for safety and peace of mind. Why would I want to support a country that allows that to continue?

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People are 'people' everywhere, and every major city in the world has their share of arrogance. The only problem I have with the French is with Lacoste clothing. I have to go up a size to fit into anything, and at times, their size minus zero sales help seems to be giving all the customers the Gallic shrug.But, who cares? Travel to ANY big city, anywhere and you'll still encounter some degree of rudeness AND arrogance. But, as a previous poster stated, a large city is NOT an entire country.

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In my travels to different countries, I try to learn a little of the language and customs. After all, I am a guest in that country. I think with that in mind I've never encountered any rudeness in France or any other country. A smile really works if I'm stuck and I find people willing to help. As an American, I find a lot of rudeness in big cities so I'm not sure if bad manners are just for the French.

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THE FRENCH SUCK

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I am planning to travel to Paris soon. I am excited to see the architecture, museums, and culture there. I hope that what I learned as a child still works: treat others as you hope to be treated. I am really counting on that one. My high school French is limited to say the least. But hey...I'll make the attempt!

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I'm an American and after visitng Paris twice in two years, my experience is that the French are very polite and not at all nasty, like some of the pushy, spoiled, indulged geezers where I live (Sarasota, Florida).

I have no problem with the Parisians. Then again, I always preface my questions with "excusez-moi" or "s'il vous plait".

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As someone who is half French and half American- I think I may have this perception of the French figured out for my fellow Americans.

First off- not everyone takes English as a second language in this world. As so few Americans speak even a smattering of French- when we do ask questions, its in English. IF someone stopped you in LA and began asking you questions in French, you might shrug and shake your head too in your response trying to communicate you don't speak the language...
Besides, the English most Americans do speak, can be difficult to understand in between the sounds of smacking gum usually that accompanies our utterances... Also, how many French can answer the more common questions our "worldly" and typically cultured American tourists might ask on a Paris street... Like "Where the #$@!is the &*$#ing WALMART? I need a new pair of flip flops." Or in a Paris Bistro- "What do you mean you don't have hamburgers? How about corndogs? NO? Then where's MacDonalds anyway? Don't you folks speak English? Geeze, this is like being in L.A.- nobody speaks English! Hey, you people have tacos?"

Actually, at that point I'm sure the message would be clear enough- and they would gladly usher you to the nearest "golden arches" tres vite!

Oh yes, I've seen it all... You know, you act a littel respectful, you'll get respect in return. But what can one expect, with someone like George W. Bush as an example of how to act abroad...

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We have helped France out many times with Aid, military, rebuilding there country more then once and what we get back is unpaid loans and even refusal to fly over there airspace in order to protect our own country....It's not the rudeness....It is simply a bunch of ungrateful people....go give more wine to your children and stop asking us for help.

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I am going to St. Martin for 4 weeks and will be staying on the French side for the first time. I hope they like us, I think we will like them. Smile and say Good Day. .... about the language... I have tried to learn french.... I get immediate brain freeze. I hope they forgive me, I can't do it.

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Over the years I've be a visitor to France several times. In 1981 it seemed the Parisians were remarkably rude, however over the next twenty years they seem to have improved gradually. My last trip in 2002 everyone in Paris was polite, nice, cooperative, and all around helpful. I second the comment about the teenagers being exceptionally polite. I wish ours would take note.

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