 | Paris Stereotypes: Rude, or friendly? Reviews | 11 - 20 of 77 |  |
Well I'm French and a Parisian, so I can be fair on that one.
But.
Parisians don't hate foreigners, they just don't care.
Parisians are not on holidays, they work ! You enjoy some relaxing time there, but, for them, Paris means "everyday, pressuring life".
They are always in a hurry !
Whatever the place they go (for business or for pleasure), they want to be there as fast as possible , especially if they are late ;-)
Means, they walk as quickly as possible and they moan about those "tourists in front of them who walk so slowly and don't move" !!
Parisians, and French people, are not "immeidalty friendly" unlike the Americans. You don't become friend with them just by saying "Hello !". But once you're friends with a French person, she/he won't forget you the minute you're left !
Sometines people are rude, sometimes they aure very friendly. Depends on the person and on her/his mood... just like you !
Best advice : whatever the country and the city you are visiting, keep an open mind and don't believe strereotypes. Most ofter they are wrong ! Leave a Comment
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I heard so many stories about snobbish & unfriendly to tourists frenches. Smth like "they hate tourists", "they don't want to speak english" etc.
Well,, I have no idea but their attitude to English-speaking (however I was several a witness of the conversations held in English and can not say anything negative at this point).
But for non-friendliness.. I'd like to tell 1 story that happened to me there.
I came to Paris in Mid-July but it was Xtremely cold & rainy there. I left Kyiv at +30 & I came to Paris at +11, raining cats&dogs, with no umbrella, no rain shoes, no raincoat brrr.... I was pulling my big bad (ruling, to my luck) and I hide near the entrance to a small cafe, it was about 1pm there. When a waitor saw me hiding there from a rain, he almost dragged me inn with my lugguage. That's not all. Those guys (waitors, or owners,, I don't know) gave me a cup of coffee and refused to take a money when I wanted to pay.
So U can tell whatever but how can I say after that smth like "frenches r rude?"...
Sorry, I can not, for me they r nice people :) Leave a Comment
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Although the Parisian concept of customer service leaves much to be desired, there is no end to the pleasantries that one encounters whenever entering or exiting a business, restaurant, or hotel. Always, always say "Bonjour Madame/Monsieur" when you come in, and "Au Revoir" when you leave. Trying to speak the language goes a long way with Parisians. If you bump into someone on the street or while awaiting/pushing your way into transportation, always say "Pardon" to excuse yourself. The proper way to answer the phone is "Âllo," but if you use this on the street, you'll blow your cover.
Parisians are polite, especially to older people. In Paris, the difference between getting good and bad service is the difference a little meek politesse and careless rudeness. Tone and facial expressions can work wonders. Maintain composure at all times and act like you mean business; speak softly and politely (do employ the standard "monsieur/madame" and "s'il vous plaît") to Parisians in official positions, especially if they are older than you.
Avoid arguing with Parisians. Do not assume you can talk your way into something. When the concierge sitting in front of a rack of keys tells you there are no vacancies, or when the maître d' insists that he cannot seat you in a restaurant full of empty tables, move on. Leave a Comment
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I found the French lovely. Not the rude people like their reputation that proceeds them. I think you need to remember that you are visiting a foreign country and to make things easier for yourself try and learn some basic French. I new none and learnt while I was there and found that if you tried the french really appreciated it no matter how ridiculous I sounded. Leave a Comment
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I have to admit that I was a bit dubious about choosing France as a holiday location, and the capital inparticular, with the history between my country and France. All the stories of rude Parisians and unhelpful shop assistants also got me worried.
However, the good news is that all those stories seem to be untrue! I never met any problems like these. Everywhere I went the Parisians were friendly and helpful. Even where communication was difficult, people did their best to point me in the right direction.
It may help a little to try a bit of French, even if it is just Bonjour and the use of S'il vous plait. So, don't take that nasty old stereo-type to heart too much. In five days I never encountered anything but pleasant friendliness!
Paris gets my vote for a friendly city! Leave a Comment
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Don't be a butthead. You have to get used to being elbow to elbow with the person at the table next to you at restaurants and sidewalk cafe's. Parisians are used to this closeness and will completely ignore you. They're not being rude! They're respecting your space. Respect their's in kind. American's seem to think that just because you're next to someone you have to talk to them. That doesn't apply in Paris. Leave a Comment
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This always generates a lot of discussion, but I always say the French people are extremely friendly and helpful. Most of them can speak English and will do so, wholeheartedly. They're usually smiley and very polite, whether you're dealing with shop assistants or regular people in the streets. I did notice, however, that they behave a little differently when dealing with North Americans, but I guess a Bonjour followed by a I can't speak French must solve the problem. Leave a Comment
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The stereotype that many Americans have of the French is that they are "rude" or that they "hate Americans." The thing is, WE are the rude ones! This so-called "rudeness" of the French comes only in reaction to the rudeness of Americans who invade their country and expect everyone to wait on us hand and foot, all the while speaking to us in English, even though we are in THEIR country! Again, as mentioned in one of my other tips, you will be amazed if you seek to be a HUMBLE tourist and at least ATTEMPT to speak French, even broken French. They will adopt a completely different attitude toward you (a much more pleasant one). Give it a try, and see the difference!
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My family and I just returned from our first trip to Paris. Contrary to what we were expecting, everyone we encountered was friendly, helpful and tolerant of our stumbling efforts to speak French. Some of the nicest people were the waiters! Several times strangers approached us on the street and offered their assistance (in English) after seeing us consult our guide books. After our arrival at CDG Airport, a French gentleman used his own phone card to call our shuttle service after seeing me struggle with mine. It is important to say "Bonjour, Madam, Monsieur, etc" and any effort to speak French seems to be appreciated. Most of all, remember that you are a guest in their city. A little courtesy and respect goes a long way. Leave a Comment
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Many of my internationall friends, especially americans, complained about the poor quality of service in France in bars and restaurants.
It is just a misunderstanding: in France, you have to FLAG the waiting staff if you want something. Bothering a customer while he is eating or having a conversation is considered rude here.
Don't snap your fingers or yell 'garçon' though. Just make eye contact and wave, or say something like 'please' or 'excuse me'. Leave a Comment
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More Paris Tips Overview
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- Libertel Bellechasse Paris 4m (6 Rue De Bellechasse.)
8 rue de Bellechasse 7th Arr., Paris, France - Le 123
123 rue du Faubourg St Honore 8th Arr., Paris, France - Mericourt
50, rue de La Mericourt, Paris, France - Hilton Paris Orly Airport
Orly Sud No 267, Paris, France - Hotel De La Terrasse
67, rue Letort 18 Arr., Paris, France - HIGHT TECH GRAN HOTEL MONTMART
2 rue de Calais, Paris, France - Mercure Gobelins Pl D'Italie
8 bis avenue de la Soeur Rosalie, Paris, France - Saint Augustin
9 Rue Roy, Paris, France - Royal Magda
7 rue Troyon, Paris, France - Hotel Le Pavillon
5 Rue Saint Roch, Paris, France - Villa Fenelon Hotel Paris
23 Rue Buffault, Paris, France - Atel Theatre Hotel
5 rue de Cheroy, Paris, France - Exclusive Hotel America Opera
17 rue de Turin 8th Arr., Paris, France - Jardins De Paris Nation Bercy Pere Lachaise
61 rue de la Voute 12th Arr., Paris, France - Star Hotel Etoile
18, rue de l'Arc de Triomphe 17th Arr., Paris, France
Destinations near Paris- Île de la Cité, 1.22 km / 0.76 miles
- Clichy, 4.44 km / 2.76 miles
- Neuilly-sur-Seine, 5.22 km / 3.24 miles
- Asnières, 6.65 km / 4.13 miles
- Boulogne-Billancourt, 7.13 km / 4.43 miles
- Courbevoie, 7.13 km / 4.43 miles
- Suresnes, 7.31 km / 4.54 miles
- Puteaux, 7.31 km / 4.54 miles
- Bois-Colombes, 7.39 km / 4.59 miles
- Issy-les-Moulineaux, 7.39 km / 4.60 miles
» See all locations nearby» Popular Île-de-France locations» Popular France locations
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