We had rented a car in Avignon and on the day to turn it in, we put the wrong gas and it stopped in front of a tire place that was ready to close.
The tire guy put it in his store (pushed it in--I speak VERY VERY little French--can read well).In the waiting room was a couple, who at first didn't say much, but after apologizing for their bad English, said they would take us back to our hotel.
In the meantime the tire guy was talking to EuropaCar or whoever. Having to make MANY phone calls. Staying past his closing.
The nice couple returned us to the hotel. The car got picked up 'sometime" and there were no charges to our credit card for any of it. That doesn't seem very rude to me.

Need to add, the couple became our go between with the tire guy, explaining our situation, etc. Their English was quite proficient but they were apologetic.

My wife has had quite a few problems in France and she is French. Okay French Canadian. On many, many occasions the French have asked me (native English speaker) to translate for them what my wife has just said to them in french. I love translating my wife's french into french. It really pissses her off.

I strongly suggest your husband not learn Canadian french before you go to France.

I can't believe this is a serious question.

I don't think the French dislike Americans, but we were paid what the speaker said was a BIG compliment when we used our French in restaurants - that we seemed like Canadians!

Ah my point about education might have been missunderstood

too little - then may not understand what the tourist is asking for so does the wrong thing, brings the wrong drink etc

too much - is keen to show his outstanding skills at understanding and may offer too much information. bring too much ice as he knows that americans like ice, when the customer thought he had made it clear, etc

As you say in France being a waiter is a career, not a job for those waiting to be actors etc.

Some say that Parisian are a bit distant. I've never had a problem.

It might help not to be too loud and learn a few starter words such as hello, good-bye, thank you and you're welcome. That usually causes a smile and go from there.

We were once in a train station when we saw a bit of a commotion. I believe a trainmaster was accusing an American student of changing the date on her train pass. She was just starting to cry.

She seemed to have a growing crowd on her side until she decided that the way to go was to curse at him. That definitely turned the crowd against her.

Ah, a teenager behavior carried onto adulthood. Less one knows about the situation, the more one is certain about the situation in black and white terms.

OK, I think we've nailed this one.

mamcalice, I did not characterize Americans as hostile or violent.

But I've never seen a streetlight in France, nor been given the finger nor been shouted at in public (except once in Paris, by a crazy). I've experienced all 3, mercifully rarely, in the US. (And here in Canada too, btw.)

During our first trip in 1972, we were admiring the wrought iron work on the doors of Notre Dame. A well-dressed elderly mqan engaged us in conversation and bought us a coffee. He was from the WWII era and was still thanking Americans, even those who were obviously too young to make any contriburtion.

The French were anti-American during the civil rights era and the US involvement in Vietnam. That animosity was filled with historic irony.

We made a trip in the 1980's when the people were universally extremely rude and intolerant. After the Albertville Olympics and the national campaign to act human, the problem has seemed to disappear. There is still a problem with the Parisians and the way others speak French.

No streetlights, Ted? What is the proper etiquette for bumping into a Parisian on a dark street corner?

Damn android autocorrect. I wrote streetfight - guess I should have typed street....fight

In my experience the French men are some of the most polite and courteous people I have encountered. It never fails if I am on a bus or train or going on stairs, a French man will reach down and carry my bag every time. And I certainly appreciate that!

what? those cheese-eating surrender-monkeys? Darn them all. Darn them all to heck!

(It's the Brits and French who don't like each other, sort of, we've been having jolly wars for and against for centuries. I'm not aware of the French not liking Americans. I thought some Americans turned against the French a few years ago - remember 'Freedom Fries'?).

There's also some confusion I've seen in people's minds on this forum between not necessarily approving of a country and its actions, but that not effecting how you view the individual citizens. America's foreign policies do get a lot of criticism in Europe. If you are a certain type of extreme patriot American it seems that you are able to translate that into 'doesn't like Americans'. You know, can't bear to hear a word that's 'anti-American' in all the meanings of that phrase. We are not so hung up on our national identities in Europe. Criticise our country and we don't imagine you are criticising us personally.

Go to France. Mind your Ps and Qs. Have a lovely holiday.

Everything depends on your perspective.

I have been to France numerous times and had only one or two contacts that I consider rude (no more than you would find anywhere else).

However, the French in general are more reserved than Americans and service staff tends to be more professional and less gushingly friendly (and silly IMHO) than you often see in the US. Also, people do not go areound grinning all day - or shout have a nice day at everyone they encuonter. Some people thinks that means they are rude. These are the same people who think New Yorkers are rude - when we are merely busy and moving faster than they are.

However, if he really beleives the French are rude I'm sure he will find someone who is.

It bears repeating: France really is a lovely place (for the most part). Even if the French people were as rude as they are reputed to be in certain circles, their country would still be well worth visiting.

Fortunately, they are not. So go!

Colduphere - too funny re: French Canadian. We recently flew through Montreal on the way to Paris, so of course started to hear French much sooner in the journey than usual. Being most used to hearing Parisian French, Canadian French did sound funny to my ears, though I couldn't pick out exactly what the differences were. Glad to hear I'm not the only one...

<<We made a trip in the 1980's when the people were universally extremely rude and intolerant. After the Albertville Olympics and the national campaign to act human, the problem has seemed to disappear.>> Strangely I made a trip in the 80s as well, spending a month in France over a summer. People weren't universally anything - so many were very nice and engaging. I had a lovely time. As much of this post seems to point out, whenever you make a blanket statement, you go down a dangerous path. I'm certain there are plenty of others with great experiences from pre-Albertville. As others have said, if you go looking for rudeness, you'll probably find it.

i did research before my trip to France on this very subject. After visiting i came to two preconcieved conclusions that were justly vindicated:

1. The French are simply a very proud people. any effort to speak a few key phrases goes a long way and met with smiles
2. Parisians are in just as much of a hurry as New Yorkers.

That said, i've encountered far worse attitudes in DC or NY than anyplace i traveled in all of Europe. (All you have to do is fly back to JFK and have Keesha scold you for not having your passport already out) Some Americans tend to stick out like sore thumbs by talking loudly, wearing ridiculous fanny packs with gleaming white sneakers, and complaining how everything is different. Every Parisian i encountered outside of service industry was pleasant and accomodating. I'm not saying go buy Rosetta Stone... just make an effort to "fit in" and you'll be among us that can't wait to go back

Nona1 makes a great point. I've had several conversations with French people (and other Europeans) over the years about US policies, politicians, government, etc. The conversation typically doesn't last long when I tell them I agree with what they're saying. I certainly never took it personally.

Dunia - my favourite example, as it happens every trip is ... Quelle heure est-il?

In France it sounds like ... Quelle heure est-il?

When my wife says it, it sounds like ... urtil.

Which leads to the person saying something like ... Excusez-moi madame. Je n'ai aucune idée de ce que vous avez dit. Monsieur, comprenez-vous ce qu'elle a dit?

It makes my holiday.