 | Paris Stereotypes: Rude, or friendly? Reviews | 61 - 70 of 77 |  |
My girlfriend and I spent four days in Paris. We came across only one rude person in that entire time. Growing up in Canada, we both spoke some French, which we learned in school, and made an effort to speak in French at all times. Every person that we talked to (with the exception of one) was fine and patient with us, and usually could tell that French wasn't our first language, so they just spoke to us in English.
We noticed that at restaurants, service was generally pretty slow, and the servers weren't too attentive, but we took that to be local custom as opposed to being rude.
I'd have to say that the stereotype of the rude Parisian is a myth, as long as you yourself are being polite, respectful, and at least make an effort to speak in their language.
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Of all the countries I have visited, the people with the least warm attitude towards others are the Parisians. I have lived in two main countries (Nigeria and UK) and come from Srilanka. I must say when it comes to smiling, the French people I came into contact with were less than generous especially in comparison to the Italians, Spaniards and Austrians! However all that changed around mid-night on New Years' day! Suddenly everyone loved everyone. It was the most amazing transformation!
Also the only French words I had to use were Bonjour and Merci. I was more than happy to try other phrases but most of the Parisians switched to English without any hesitations and our waitors always went out of their way to translate the French menus when we asked for it again without any hesitations. I did not feel the need to speak French for their benefit at all.
So I think that the lack of smiling might have been because it was freezing cold over there in mid-Winter. I should go back in a Summer and see how the people compare to other Europeans. Perhaps the sterotype must-speak-French attitude is being slowly wiped out and this can only be a good thing in terms of welcoming other cultures into a country. Leave a Comment
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One of the customs that most shocks foreign tourists from outside Europe when they visit Paris (which is in most cases their first journey to France) is the social act of kissing people on the cheeks upon meeting and often upon departing, too. This gesture is called in French se faire la bise (litterally "to do the peck") and, unlike what people may think, it is not typically Parisian, since it originated in Bretagne before spreading across France and most European country.
Since the number of kisses on the cheeks varies from one region to the other, but also from a village to the neighbouring one, you should always know how many kisses are supposed to be exchanged. From what I have seen and read, Parisians give either two or four kisses, but I'm not sure of when they give two and when four. I guess that two kisses are for people one meets every day and four are for people one meets from time to time. I also suppose that when one meets a group of several people and has to do the bise to all of them (yes, that is socially compulsory!), one gives two kisses because four would take too long.
However, beware that in the rest of Ile-de-France the number of kisses changes, but I don't know what the praxis is, since I have never seen it. Follow the links above to learn more about the bise. Leave a Comment
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Parisians can be very snooty, so if you're being followed around a designer clothes shop, disrupt as many items of neatly folded clothing as possible, that'll teach them to follow you around like a criminal! On the Metro, be prepared for some pushing and shoving, it isn't personal, just part of the social fabric. Leave a Comment
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People in Paris are really, really nice. They have different norms of education and I supose they find annoying and rude some of our own manners. I found them, however, very tolerant to my rudeness. Even after I had forgotten saying 'hello' as entering a store and going straight for the merchandise (something I knew was wrong from other VT tips and was trying to correct) they would not match my lack of politeness.
I did find, though, that many restaurants and cafes are very understaffed and waiters were clearly stressed and take their time to take your order. I saw one waiter prepare a table in such a hurry that the knife and fork felt to the floor. He had basically just thrown them at the costumers who, understandably, left the place. But in many other places they were very friendly...even flirty.
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The french has a reputation of being rude to forreigners. This is certainly not true for Paris. If you don't speak their language, just learn a few phrases and use them when you want to speak with someone. Most of them will try to help you even if they don't speak english. Leave a Comment
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This May I was in Paris with my friends and none of us speak French. We ask some French woman for a direction in English, and she just started waving her hands meaning "Don't speak English to me. Just go away". It was really rude. And the French in the hotel we stood were nothing better. They understand what you are saying but they are not responding. They either ignore you, or if it's convenient for them they'll just point at sth. No words uttered.
However, I guess not all French are alike, but... that was my experience.
Hope you'll have a great time :) Leave a Comment
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This is a debate you will have to verify for yourself. Though I was only there for 8 hours I feel I had expiriences of both though I cannot say I was treated any differently than I am when I visit NYC for example. After hearing so much about the French and namely Parisians and their ability to be rude I was almost hypersensitive to the fact and even when I was being treated well kept looking to see if they were rolling their eyes in disgust. I had two cab rides from drivers who did seem irritated but then we didn't act like locals walking out of the station and asking to be driven to the Eiffel Tower. Compare to this a driver who spoke no English at all but treated both myself and my family with the utmost of care and though we could not converse his ever present smile made him as friendly as he needed to be.
In the end I think Paris is a huge city made up of many people some rude some superbly friendly. In that reagrd I think it is no different than any city of its size or smaller. I hail from a very samll rural Pennsylvania town and a visitor could have say the same, some people are nice some are not.
In the end you would be a fool friendly or not to miss Paris as it is one of the most beautiful, vibrant and lovely places I have ever visited. Leave a Comment
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This last time I went to Paris, I was afraid that they would look down on my French. I received such a warm reception from the Pariseans, that I want to go back! Everyone loved my accent when I spoke French. They all knew I was from Canada, and they wanted to know where I was from. I am from Montreal, but I am an Anglophone. I truley felt welcomed. It is amazing how much Canadians are loved throughout Europe. Wear a Canadian flag, pin, logo...You will be amazed at how you are treated! I AM CANADIAN! It's more than just a beer slogan! Leave a Comment
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Yes Parisians can be rude; it is the culture and, well perhaps a general distaste for many things that are happening here in France since we changed over to the euro. I am troubled to say that you will probably encounter it here in Paris more then many other cities such is life. It is unnecessary to lecture you on how to be considerate or polite, as this is not going to change the rudeness you are going to encounter, and this is something you have to take responsibility for. I would suggest however that you take any rude encounters, how do you say, with a grain of salt, and consider it part of visiting France, perhaps the entertainment. With many places in the world you will encounter some wonderful people and some not so wonderful. Paris has many beautiful experiences waiting for you to discover, to let a rude encounter diminish that would be to let a cloud passing over the sun ruin your week. There is nothing you can do but relax and let it pass you buy. I have lived her on and off for 10 years, my children are French-American, Oui, je parle français, (which only allows me to be rude back when I feel like it), and many of my closest friends are Parisians, (they dislike the French more then most.) All of this is what gives me cause to deliver this advice. Please don’t let a little rudeness get in the way of a city full of beauty. Leave a Comment
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- Royal Monceau
37 Avenue Hoche, Paris, France - Victoires Opera
56 rue Montorgueil, Paris, France - Citadines Paris Haussmann Pres
129-131 Boulevard Haussmann (formerly Citadines), Paris, France - Residence Richemont
43, rue Jean Bleuzen, Paris, France - Monte Carlo Hotel
RUE DU FG MONTMARTRE 9th Arr., Paris, France - Iliade Paris VIII Hotel Paris
51 rue Letort 18th Arr., Paris, France - Le Relais St Jacques Hotel
3 Rue de l'Abbé de l'Epée, Paris, France - Ibis Paris Saint Denis Stade Ouest
Rue de la Cokerie Avenue Francis de Pressence, Paris, France - Hotel Longchamp Elysees
68 Rue de Longchamp, Paris, France - Elysees Bassano
24 Rue de Bassano 16th Arr., Paris, France - Relais Montmartre
68 Boulevard de Clichy (formerly "Du Chat Noir"), Paris, France - Hotel Argentine
1 Rue d'Argentine, Paris, France - One Bedroom Apartment rue Saint Severin Paris
38-40, rue Saint Séverin, Paris, France - Prince Albert Louvre Hotel Paris
5 rue Saint Hyacinthe 1st Arr., Paris, France - Grand Francais
223 boulevard Voltaire 11th 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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