Just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.
I spent fall semester in France, and am going back in about a week for a monthlong research trip, so while I don't have 5 yeas experience in France, I have spent a good bit of time there.
For what its worth, I found most French people I ran into quite friendly...it really helped that we know French and don't assume that everyone speaks English (prolly the biggest peeve the french have re: americans). American (and other nationalities as well) tourists do give others a bad name in general, since they are loud, obnoxious, and sometimes even rude. Obviously there are exceptions, but for the most part this stereotype is unfortunately true.
That being said, I think that the French, as a whole, are probably the most cynical and elitest group of people I have come across. Whereas the Italians and SPanish that we met were all easy going and freindly to a fault, the French were able to be polite, yet condescending at the same time. Italians always griped about this while we were in italy and we said we were studying in France. It is as if the French have a collective chip on the shoulder, and when it comes to food, culture, wine, etc, etc, they take offense when anyone suggests they might not be the best.
That being said, I suppose they see Americans as naive and foolishy optimistic, but I would personally rather be like that then perenially pessimistic.
Still love France though...beautiful country and the pace of life is pretty much unbeatable imo.
I spent fall semester in France, and am going back in about a week for a monthlong research trip, so while I don't have 5 yeas experience in France, I have spent a good bit of time there.
For what its worth, I found most French people I ran into quite friendly...it really helped that we know French and don't assume that everyone speaks English (prolly the biggest peeve the french have re: americans). American (and other nationalities as well) tourists do give others a bad name in general, since they are loud, obnoxious, and sometimes even rude. Obviously there are exceptions, but for the most part this stereotype is unfortunately true.
That being said, I think that the French, as a whole, are probably the most cynical and elitest group of people I have come across. Whereas the Italians and SPanish that we met were all easy going and freindly to a fault, the French were able to be polite, yet condescending at the same time. Italians always griped about this while we were in italy and we said we were studying in France. It is as if the French have a collective chip on the shoulder, and when it comes to food, culture, wine, etc, etc, they take offense when anyone suggests they might not be the best.
That being said, I suppose they see Americans as naive and foolishy optimistic, but I would personally rather be like that then perenially pessimistic.
Still love France though...beautiful country and the pace of life is pretty much unbeatable imo.
