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[quote author="zovall" date=1247879077][quote author="acpme" date=1247869935]

that is true though. my comment is mostly tongue-in-cheek. i found the french to be overwhemingly polite. i actually never ran into a rude french guy experience. gypsies, on the other hand...</blockquote>


I can't say the same of my limited experience in France (5 nights in Paris). The ones I found polite were indeed overwhelmingly polite. I did notice that my attempts to speak French were appreciated. But in general, I found many of them to be rude. But they weren't rude to just me, it seemed like they were rude to each other too. It could have been just a big city thing though. Or maybe because I ordered Freedom Fries ;)</blockquote>


I never understood the animosity towards France for not following the US into a war that most Americans didn't agree with
 
[quote author="Stuff It" date=1247880000][quote author="zovall" date=1247879077][quote author="acpme" date=1247869935]

that is true though. my comment is mostly tongue-in-cheek. i found the french to be overwhemingly polite. i actually never ran into a rude french guy experience. gypsies, on the other hand...</blockquote>


I can't say the same of my limited experience in France (5 nights in Paris). The ones I found polite were indeed overwhelmingly polite. I did notice that my attempts to speak French were appreciated. But in general, I found many of them to be rude. But they weren't rude to just me, it seemed like they were rude to each other too. It could have been just a big city thing though. Or maybe because I ordered Freedom Fries ;)</blockquote>


I never understood the animosity towards France for not following the US into a war that most Americans didn't agree with</blockquote>
Wrong forum! Derails are welcome... just not political ones... there's a whole other forum with flame-retardant coating for that.



The first time I saw the rude French stereotype was this:



"I fart in your general direction..."



When I was there... there was no aimed flatulance I'm glad to report. They were all pretty polite, but this was just after 9/11 so I think they were a bit more accomodating.



I do like their accent... "Laydeez and johnklamen!".
 
[quote author="green_cactus" date=1247814489]

I found the French to be very polite. When I try to approach them speaking in French, they soon realize that their English is way more proficient than whatever I can garble in French. Once this is established they are very willing to give directions or assist you in any way.</blockquote>


I had a similar experience. One example when I was trying to buy an international train ticket at the domestic counter.



me: parlez vous anglais?

frenchie: NON!!! (with an incredibly indignant expression).

me: (in horribly accented french) JAY VUDRAY a TICKET to Spain SEE VUPLAY

frenchie: (in perfect english) you're in the wrong line. Here are the times and prices. (smiles) Have a great trip!



Another example when asking for directions at the train station to get to the other station. I ask in english, do you speak english. The guy answers, "only when I feel like it". Thankfully, he did.
 
[quote author="zovall" date=1247879077]

I can't say the same of my limited experience in France (5 nights in Paris). The ones I found polite were indeed overwhelmingly polite. I did notice that my attempts to speak French were appreciated. But in general, I found many of them to be rude. But they weren't rude to just me, it seemed like they were rude to each other too. It could have been just a big city thing though. Or maybe because I ordered Freedom Fries ;)</blockquote>


When I was in Hungary, at first I thought they were extremely rude because I felt everyone constantly stared at me. It was a week later that I realized that the Hungarians stared at <em>everybody</em>.
 
Why I travel:



<img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_4Q5Ddjqd68A/SkRmuMR2XJI/AAAAAAAACO8/9I-MR3uz1S8/s720/DSC00071.JPG" alt="" />
 
[quote author="zovall" date=1247879077][quote author="acpme" date=1247869935]

that is true though. my comment is mostly tongue-in-cheek. i found the french to be overwhemingly polite. i actually never ran into a rude french guy experience. gypsies, on the other hand...</blockquote>


I can't say the same of my limited experience in France (5 nights in Paris). The ones I found polite were indeed overwhelmingly polite. I did notice that my attempts to speak French were appreciated. But in general, I found many of them to be rude. But they weren't rude to just me, it seemed like they were rude to each other too. It could have been just a big city thing though. Or maybe because I ordered Freedom Fries ;)</blockquote>


Even the French find Parisians to be rude.
 
[quote author="Stuff It" date=1247817774][quote author="green_cactus" date=1247814489][quote author="acpme" date=1247813935][quote author="Stuff It" date=1247804209]

Coming from Europe I think it is an American thing. Europeans know more about the US through the news/movies/tv. Whereas Americans get very little exposure to Europe through the same mediums (unless they actively go find it)</blockquote>


this might be a typical american jackass response, but other nations should stop being so insecure about americans not learning more about them. the french of course are notorious for tourists not speaking their language. i might consider learning more french... when france is relevant again! french is useful if you'd to avoid getting a rude look from a waiter while ordering crepes in paris. english is useful for getting around everywhere else in the world and conducting business.</blockquote>


I found the French to be very polite. When I try to approach them speaking in French, they soon realize that their English is way more proficient than whatever I can garble in French. Once this is established they are very willing to give directions or assist you in any way.</blockquote>


Agreed, I found the same with the Spanish. So long as you make the effort then they appreciate it</blockquote>


For the most part, this was my experience as well. With the exception of a Parisian bartender who refused to give me tap water and insisted that I shell out 10 euro for bottled water, I found the French, including Parisians, to be quite pleasant. In fact, while in Nice, I left 4 or 5 addressed, unstamped post cards at the hotel breakfast table when my friends and I ran out to catch our taxi to the train station. I realized that I left the postcards when we arrived at the train station and so I bought replacement postcards and scribbled a few words on each. Guess what? Each of my family members received two postcards from Nice! The lovely hotel staff stamped and mailed them for me. I'm sure it didn't hurt that the post cards said that I was loving my time in France.
 
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