Are Parisians really rude people?

krudler

was there a couple of years ago, its ok, some assholes some nice people, same as anywhere else

LiamMc

In several visits, never found them rude, in shops did come across sing-song "Au Re-voir" which to an insecure visitor may feel it's directed at them negatively.

Obviously, my first night there saw a guy in 20th Arondissment pissing against a tree. Normal sure. It wasn't his fault there wouldn't have been a Pissoir around for half a kilometre where he was.

I believe there is a correlation between lack of understanding French and receiving perceived injustices.

cruiser178

Green Diesel wrote: »

Rude? Not really, not as friendly as people from the south in my experience, but isn't that the case in most capital cities?

Fixed.

Real Life

In my experience they are not nice. Obviously i cant say that for all of them but ive been to paris and didnt meet 1 nice person.
I do think its because they feel like they are above you aswell, when ive been to other cities like amsterdam for example the people arent overly friendly but they dont act like they are better than you, but in paris thats the impression i got.

barrackali

I lived and worked in Paris for a number of years, tbh the Parisians in general can be very rude, more so than anywhere I've ever been.

I think the younger Parisian generation now are not as grumpy as their parents are.....thank fcuk!

Tazz T

I'd rather have a night out dealing with travel operators, bar tenders and fast food establishment employees in Tokyo than Paris.

Nulty

theholyghost wrote: »

I've never understood the French are rude thing. It must stem from some US/UK cultural streotype that has just been imported into the mainstream and adopted by people who have never been there.

I'd never really been to France up until a few years ago and was almost put off going by accounts of their arrogance and unfriendliness.

Then in 2010 I spent a few days in the Alps and the next year I was there for 2 weeks and they were the nicest, most polite, most helpful people I have come accross in Europe. They genuinely seemed glad of your custom and the fact that you were there. I would rate them a lot higher than say Spaniards (and I can speak Spanish, I can't speak French), Germans or Norwegians (who have issues!). The only complaint I have about French service is they won't cram people into a restaurant if it is full, they will only take so many at a set time. So if you are late booking you might go hungry.


But seriously the French tourist board need to do something to conteract this crazy, negative stereotype! Going to France next month, yeah!

France ≠ Paris

TommyKnocker

I don't think Parisians are rude either, but a lot of the older folks do have a low tolerance for people expecting them to speak english.

I was working in France (south east) as a chef a numbers of years ago (not a word of French to my name ) and was advised to at least try to speak French when I arrived, especially in Paris.

So off I went with my phrase book and a number of highlighted phrases. I found once I tried to converse in French, they were really nice. However sometimes if I approached someone with "parlez vous anglais" I was ignored or answered abruptly.

Einhard

e_e wrote: »

Are you implying that no strange American/British porn exists? :rolleyes:

Judging a nation's worth by its pornography is kinda ridiculous anyway.

Taking a facetious post seriously is kinda ridiculous too.

bluecode

saiint wrote: »

what do they have to be proud of?
they lost two world wars one of them in less then 6 weeks
and they smell

Are you thinking of the Germans perchance? They lost two world wars. The French were on the winning side in two world wars. Unless they were a couple of more I've missed?

Cuchulainn1. wrote: »

before the politically correct brigade come along that is a huge generalisation and a joke but still after France's record in most of its wars quite true.

Quite wrong actually, as a matter of fact they won most battles they ever fought. But don't let the facts ruin the tired old 'joke'. They were also on the winning side of most wars they fought in and it took a combination of the British, Russians, Austrians, Spanish, and Prussians to defeat Napoleon. Not bad for a bunch of 'surrender monkeys'.

Criticising the French for losing to the Germans ignores the reality that the it took the combined forces of Britain, America and the Soviet Union with a few others thrown in including the French to beat the Germans and it took several years and millions of men to do it.

The whole 'surrender monkey' notion was made popular by Americans when the French wouldn't get involved in invading Iraq. Guess who had the last laugh on that one and who has oeuf on their faces?

As for French rudeness, yes they can be and arrogant. I once saw a comment from a Frenchmen who said: 'People say we French are arrogant. I say 'So?'.

People to be admired the French. They know how to live well.

Napper Hawkins

To the folks who think the French are rude..

You'd be blown away by just how receptive and sound they can be if you just have the ****ing cop on to ask them "excuse moi, Monsieur/Madame/mademoiselle, tu parle anglais"?

Instead of just waffling on to them in a language that is not theirs and being surprised at the reaction.

Hawk Wing 2

never had a problem in Paris with waiters, barmen etc, if you make any effort with the language you will get a good reception

Lollipops23

Napper Hawkins wrote: »

You'd be blown away by just how receptive and sound they can be if you just have the ****ing cop on to ask them "excuse moi, Monsieur/Madame/mademoiselle, tu parle anglais"?

Actually the use of "tu" is perceived as extremely rude, especially when you don't know the person well. They'd be very likely pissed off if you said that to them.

"Excusez-moi, sil vous plaiz, parlez vous anglais?" is more acceptable.

Elvis_Presley

.

Napper Hawkins

Lollipops23 wrote: »

Actually the use of "tu" is perceived as extremely rude, especially when you don't know the person well. They'd be very likely pissed off if you said that to them.

"Excusez-moi, sil vous plaiz, parlez vous anglais?" is more acceptable.

Only when speaking to a member of the older generation. Speaking to someone your own age, this is more acceptable. I lived and worked there for two years and have many French friends so I'm not imagining that. If I was to speak in the way you describe to a French person my own age (29) they would look at me like I had two heads. And rightly so.

Madam

I've never had a problem with Parisians or the French in fact I love their straightforwardness(word?), love that haughty air about them too wish I could do it as well as they do but somehow I just can't master that certain je ne sais quoi:) Besides I have family from there so can't really run them down now can I?

opinion guy

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Paris is the most overrated city in the world.

You've clearly never been to Detroit....

Lollipops23

Napper Hawkins wrote: »

Only when speaking to a member of the older generation. Speaking to someone your own age, this is more acceptable. I lived and worked there for two years and have many French friends so I'm not imagining that. If I was to speak in the way you describe to a French person my own age (29) they would look at me like I had two heads. And rightly so.

My parents live in (rural) France, so maybe it's due to the fact that I mainly converse with their friends and neighbours (all would be older than myself-in fact I reckon the average age of their village is around 50!) that I would only tend to use "vous", as it's less familiar and more respectful.

Napper Hawkins

Lollipops23 wrote: »

My parents live in (rural) France, so maybe it's due to the fact that I mainly converse with their friends and neighbours (all would be older than myself-in fact I reckon the average age of their village is around 50!) that I would only tend to use "vous", as it's less familiar and more respectful.

I'm not saying you're wrong of course! One of the first tips I was given during early fumbling attempts to converse with people was, if you don't want to come off as a tourist or an obvious foreigner, don't speak to them like you're reading from a textbook. Older folks, on the other hand, prefer your way, definitely.

JupiterKid

Yes, Parisians deserve their reputation for being very arrogant, rude and surly - especially to foreigners and even other French.

I find that having a little French helps sometimes - but I never expect Parisians to be nice as it's a rarity to meet a friendly Parisian.

That said, provincial French, especially those from the south and west of the country can be very friendly, helpful and polite. And they all
loathe the Parisians.:D

Madam_X

"People are the same everywhere" is untrue - nationalities can be very different to each other.
Yeh as someone said, this is about Parisians, not the French in general. I have been told by French people (not from Paris obviously) that there is a really snooty attitude all right prevalent among Parisians (yes I know that doesn't mean they're all arseholes). Been to Paris once - don't remember anything bad about the people, but I had food poisoning and it was during a heatwave so I wouldn't have cared.

I find it interesting how Japanese people are generally so polite and gentle and there's so little street crime. And yet look at the ultraviolent aspects of Japanese culture. I'm not saying that as a dig, just find it fascinating.

Madam

JupiterKid wrote: »

That said, provincial French, especially those from the south and west of the country can be very friendly, helpful and polite. And they all loathe the Parisians.:D

Same could be said about Dubliners:rolleyes:

Dovakhin

I've been to Paris a couple of times and there's one feature of (certain) Parisians that drives me mad.

I have a disability, and I limp a little. No second head or purple striped skin or anything, just a little limp. And Paris is absolutely full of really, really bad starers. People who will literally stop walking to stare at you, jaw on the floor, as you walk up the street. People who will crash into lampposts because they are so consumed in staring at you.

Last time I was there I could not wait to leave. By the by, I've been to a fair few places at this stage (France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Mexico, the States....) and have only ever had this problem in Paris.

Always wondered if it might be because they are quite image conscious......

Madam

Dovakhin wrote: »

I've been to Paris a couple of times and there's one feature of (certain) Parisians that drives me mad.

I have a disability, and I limp a little. No second head or purple striped skin or anything, just a little limp. And Paris is absolutely full of really, really bad starers. People who will literally stop walking to stare at you, jaw on the floor, as you walk up the street. People who will crash into lampposts because they are so consumed in staring at you.

Last time I was there I could not wait to leave. By the by, I've been to a fair few places at this stage (France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Mexico, the States....) and have only ever had this problem in Paris.

Always wondered if it might be because they are quite image conscious......

Perhaps you are just a little self-conscious but I get what you mean. They do tend to stare, not just someone with a limp but anyone who's a bit different.

languagenerd

I did a course in Paris last summer and I honestly had no problem with them at all. People were relatively friendly - one thing I noticed was the bus drivers all said good morning when I got on the bus and the staff always say hello when you go into small shops there. One of my assignments for the course even involved having to do a survey in the street - we were really dreading it, but only one person we asked refused to do it and all of the others were really nice about it. We met the quota of people we needed in no time. I imagine it would be much harder to do something like that in Dublin... (maybe because we're so used to running from chuggers here :pac:)

I think attempting the language helps. Many of the French see the English language as a threat to theirs (not least because French used to be the main international diplomatic language until English took over) and that can make them hostile towards English speakers. Especially if the English-speaker in question just assumes everyone will speak English to them.

Maybe it's because I speak French, but I found the Parisians no ruder than Dubliners or Madrilenos (etc.). The (other) tourists there annoyed me more than the Parisians did! I feel sorry for the Japanese in the OP though :pac:

smurgen

yes they are, my friend is one and he gets a kick out of playing up to the stereotype.His favourite saying is ''I don't care.I'm french!''

theholyghost

bluecode wrote: »

Quite wrong actually, as a matter of fact they won most battles they ever fought. But don't let the facts ruin the tired old 'joke'.

Wasn't there a study a while ago that showed France to be the most militarily successful country in history. Woudn't be surprised given the powerhouse it was until relatively recently.

I do find it interesting that people rub France's nose in it for having a terrible calamity befall its people in WWII. I mean why don't people take the p*ss out of the jews for what happened to them? Or the British soldiers who were captured by the Japanese?

bluecode wrote: »

The whole 'surrender monkey' notion was made popular by Americans when the French wouldn't get involved in invading Iraq.

And adopted by a lot of the very same types who would protest the second invasion of Iraq.

Dovakhin

Madam wrote: »

Perhaps you are just a little self-conscious but I get what you mean. They do tend to stare, not just someone with a limp but anyone who's a bit different.

I suppose it's possible in theory, but I really doubt it's me being self conscious. I'm not like that generally and like I said, it's the only place in the world (that I've visited) where this has happened, three times so far.

WinterSong

Some are lovely, some are horrible. I find that it can be difficult to get people to help you in any meaningful way, especially (bizarrely) when it's their job to do so. But I've had some of the most wonderful experiences with people here, unexpectedly delightful conversations in the street, things like that. I think there's a big difference between visiting Paris and living here, like most cities really. It can really wear you down very quickly, the bureaucracy here is an absolute nightmare so maybe that's why the Parisians can be a little cold at times? :pac:

nervous_twitch

languagenerd wrote: »

Maybe it's because I speak French, but I found the Parisians no ruder than Dubliners or Madrilenos (etc.)

Interesting; I've never had any issues with Parisians, but I find Madrilenos - particularly those working in the service industry - to be the rudest, most unhelpful kind of folk around. And I speak the language.

Pottler

I've been to Paris a fair few times, love it actually, one of my favorite Cities after London. Find the people grand, in general, some lovely, some cnuts, but sure that's everywhere. At least it's not dull!

languagenerd

nervous_twitch wrote: »

Interesting; I've never had any issues with Parisians, but I find Madrilenos - particularly those working in the service industry - to be the rudest, most unhelpful kind of folk around. And I speak the language.

I speak Spanish too, didn't come across anyone particularly rude in Madrid (though I was only there for a weekend before heading on to the south). One thing I hate about the service industry there is how bloody slowly everything moves though...

youreadthis

Paris is a weird city. It's clearly a great world class city, but what shocked me was how many homeless there are.

opti0nal

Napper Hawkins wrote: »

You'd be blown away by just how receptive and sound they can be if you just have the ****ing cop on to ask them "excuse moi, Monsieur/Madame/mademoiselle, tu parle anglais"?

I agree in principle, but don't get so familiar with the 'tu', safer with 'vous'.

My own experience is that you must politely greet anyone before you ask anything. So, never forget the 'Bonjour'. After that things go very well.

The rudeness could be when they think the foreign visitor is being rude.

Neewbie_noob

Biggins wrote: »

This thread while it lasts, is going to be fun!

Popcorn anyone?

They better be salted and non-buttered!!!

Brinimartini

starbelgrade wrote: »

Parisians are fine.

Jim Carey's a knob end though. The man is terminally unfunny.

Nope, they are actually assholes....even to each other.

Napper Hawkins

opti0nal wrote: »

I agree in principle, but don't get so familiar with the 'tu', safer with 'vous'.

My own experience is that you must politely greet anyone before you ask anything. So, never forget the 'Bonjour'. After that things go very well.

The rudeness could be when they think the foreign visitor is being rude.

Yeah well I'd reckon bonjour or salut would be a given. True enough though.

Augmerson

youreadthis wrote: »

Paris is a weird city. It's clearly a great world class city, but what shocked me was how many homeless there are.

Have you ever been to Vancouver? The East End is one huge homeless ghetto, it's horrible. That said, beautiful city in a beautiful location full of great people, but that one spot, is just horrid to see.

Pottler

Give me Paris over Barcelona anyday. Kip. Absolutely hated it, it's people and their mothers. Out of it I could not wait to get. And yet people rave about it. Just shows, everyones different in what they find "rude".

Wee Willy Harris

saiint wrote: »

what do they have to be proud of?
they lost two world wars
one of them in less then 6 weeks
and they smell

what do you have to be proud of?
you post too much imbecile-like crap
most of them in less than 6 weeks
it is hell

..can only fathom ust be some sort of unanimous sympathy vote that you survive here without so much as a ticking off where more decent, intelligent folk have fallen by the wayside

cassid

I like Paris, I found as long as you try to speak french, you will be ok

Sleepy

I love Paris, think the French in other regions can be lovely but my general perception of Parisians is that they, like the New Yorkers who are more famous for it, are quite rude.

I studied French for 7 years (until the end of 1st year of university), did a 3 week exchange program to Brittany whilst in secondary school and would have reasonable conversational French for an Irishman who's far from fluent. In Paris, I get scolded for speaking with a Brittany accent.

Popeleo

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MOC88

Dovakhin wrote: »

I've been to Paris a couple of times and there's one feature of (certain) Parisians that drives me mad.

I have a disability, and I limp a little. No second head or purple striped skin or anything, just a little limp. And Paris is absolutely full of really, really bad starers. People who will literally stop walking to stare at you, jaw on the floor, as you walk up the street. People who will crash into lampposts because they are so consumed in staring at you.

Last time I was there I could not wait to leave. By the by, I've been to a fair few places at this stage (France, Britain, Italy, Spain, Germany, Greece, Mexico, the States....) and have only ever had this problem in Paris.

Always wondered if it might be because they are quite image conscious......

FUS RO DAH them ... then they'll see :cool:

Sappa

****

IrishExpat

They can be utter plicks when it comes to their attitude towards non native French speakers having a shot at their language. In other countrys you would be forgiven, and even more warmly accepted if you make an attempt; no matter how thick tongued you are. A shared experience with others travelling, not just a personal anecdote.

General General

Whenever I am in Paris, I speak French. Whenever a Parisian responds in English, I scream: Schweinhund! Ich komme aus Deutschland!

later12

I worked in Paris for a little while. I didn't find the French any ruder than any other nationality, but yes there is a more brusque social etiquette, where it is more acceptable to be passive aggressive or abrupt. I wouldn't say this goes as far as shouting, though.

Compare that to Japan, where the cunductor does a little bow to the carriage when he checks the train tickets. That wouldn't even be within the realms of reason in Paris.

theholyghost

theholyghost wrote: »

I've never understood the French are rude thing. It must stem from some US/UK cultural streotype that has just been imported into the mainstream and adopted by people who have never been there.

I find them generally pretty rude and I've been there many, many times. Had a French boyfriend, French flatmates, lived there, worked there and speak fluent French (well I did, anyway). I won't be rushing back. What I do find about France is if they're nice, they're very, very nice and if they're mean, they're awful. More extremes than you find elsewhere.

IrishExpat wrote: »

They can be utter plicks when it comes to their attitude towards non native French speakers having a shot at their language. In other countrys you would be forgiven, and even more warmly accepted if you make an attempt; no matter how thick tongued you are. A shared experience with others travelling, not just a personal anecdote.

+1. I've seen loads of people laughed at for the smallest of mistakes or dodgy pronunciation. I've even had my own French picked apart and I know it's pretty good - I started learning at 3 and am almost always complimented on it. There's always just the odd tosser who has to smirk because I used 'le' instead of 'la'. Some people seem to expect foreigners to speak French as well as they do, which is ridiculous. Here in Spain, even the most atrocious attempts at Spanish are usually welcomed because they hate speaking English.

General General

General General wrote: »

Whenever I am in Paris, I speak French. Whenever a Parisian responds in English, I scream: Schweinhund! Ich komme aus Deutschland!

My german ex spoke french to them over there (and he was fairly fluent) and they responded in english :rolleyes: