After five years living in Paris (and traveling there several times a year for years before) and now back in the States, I can only say I wish even 50% of the people I meet here were as kind as 99% of the people I dealt with there.

I can't tell you how many people have said to me, since I returned here, "Oh, I was there in 19XX. You know, they hate us."

I usually reply, "Really? They don't hate me. What did you do?"

In Paris, as in MOST places, you usually get back what you give.

I could not agree more.
BUT really this is an old saw, and I think ST.Cirq had it right 'way back. NOT a serious question for now--let alone ever.
BUT I will point out to our "maybe" holier than thou Americans, WE that is WE have such provincial language skills, and if someone comes up to us asking in less than perfect English, how to do such and so, a LOT of people will say "no comprendez" and walk on. Make the EFFORT, people. I have ALWAYS found that to be true--particularly in France for 50 years of travelling there--that if you try to communicate, they will try to help.
All the other replies have also offered insights--they are naturally reserved, VERY VERY polite, etc. AND they expect that in return. REspect it.

I'm sure there are French people who dislike Americans. Everyone has a prejudice.

Why would you care about someone else's problem.

Go, be yourself and if being yourself is a treat for others, you will be well received wherever you go.

How I wish I had read toupary6's response. That's it exactly.


"I can't tell you how many people have said to me, since I returned here, "Oh, I was there in 19XX. You know, they hate us."

I usually reply, "Really? They don't hate me. What did you do?"

:D

Mon Dieu! A friend of mine, quite a few years older than I am, who had never traveled in Europe, just returned from a week in Paris. She absolutely loved it, and said the very best thing was how kind everyone was to her. She had a very active week, took marvelous photos of Giverny and Versailles, and hopes to be able to return. She also really didn't know much French at all but mastered "please", "thank you", and "good day", which she used liberally and garnered respect from all and sundry.

BC

@bookchick, that fits with my first experiences, including my first trip as an adult. I was very good at reading menus -- beyond that, I had a vocabulary of MAYBE 50 words. Somehow, I managed to have conversations with people who didn't speak English.

As a storeowner said to me, "If people are of good will, they will understand one another."

Of course, several years later, with very good French, I kept meeting people who wanted to practice their English. We worked it out.

My other favorite, "They all speak English, you know. They just pretend they don't."

I answer, "Oh, so you're prepared to speak French with them when they come here?"

Obviously, I've had plenty of practice with these remarks. :-)

Amen toupary

I usually reply, "Really? They don't hate me. What did you do?"
______

We have been traveling for 40 years and been to over 40 countries, including a number of trips to Paris, and the only people with whom we have ever had consistent trouble were the Guataleman military and Parisians.

And just to make things worse:

We live in Manhattan and the rudest and most agreesive tourists are French speaking. To be honest, however, I cannot discern between the various regional French accents and the Québécois.

As noted above, things have gotten better over the past twenty years and Paris remains one of my favorite cities.

Thinking back, I remember when it was the Americans who didn't like The French during the Bush administration.
Some ignorant politician called for a boycott on french fries, not knowing they are a Belguem original.
French Wine was being poured in gutters, French products boycotted. What a terrible, foolish time it was.

We were in France last June and were blown away with how amazing the people were. I've never been treated so well traveling anywhere before. Go and have a great time.

<I'm sure there are French people who dislike Americans> The bigger question is, <How many Americans dislike the French> The French people are wonderful. Found that in the 80's, 90's and our most recent trip. We had great experiences, both in Paris and the countryside. I can remember one unpleasentry with a waiter and that includes about 100 days on the ground. But so many helpful experiences. Just don't go with an 'attitude'and you will be fine.

The people who say the French don't like us have never even been there themselves. We have been to Paris 8 or 9 times and never encountered French people that did not like us and in fact Americans could take a lesson in manners from them. We even know people who boycotted anything French during Bush regime and then few years later go to Paris....Go figure!

It's an urban myth/stereotype. Not over the top fake nice like Americans but nice especially if you're respectful.

Good manners are the same all over the world. I have been travelling where Americans have been present-they needed to tone down a little. They were clearly wealthy and were determined to show it. That never works, anywhere.

I agree Christopher. I hate dining with an American group in France. They can be so loud, you can see the waiters cringe
and have seen them told to tone it down. But, as an American, no offence, I suffered more from the Germans in groups.

My very candid reply....When you travel anywhere outside the US...you are outside the US! So do not expect everything to be just like is here, it won't be, but isn't that just why we love to go?
So first, be nice, be polite, blend in...leave your team baseball hats etc. at home, be curious, have an attitude of discovery and wanting to learn what life is like where ever you go.
I see "Ugly Americans" with fanny packs and cameras hanging from their necks, traveling in obnoxious loud packs, and I want to scream, we are not all like that! so just don't be one of those.
I found Paris to be delightful and most gracious, maybe that is because I made the effort. Parisians are very proud and they have a right to be...it is one of if not the most fabulous cities
I have seen.
As in life, you get back what you give, so smile and expect a fabulous experience.

I believe there to be "Ugly" in many groups. I have never had one issue in France. Never anyone being rude. I love being there whether it is the countryside or streets of Paris, and if they were rude I doubt it would stop me from enjoying their country - so rich in many things. Never let anyone's opinion good or bad keep you from seeing for yourself, at least one time, France and many other countries.

>:D< Welcome to France wherever you're from, if you are kind and polite, we'll be too!
It is Mother's Day today in France.((F))

I am willing to leave my baseball hat at home, even though it is a "Les Expos de Montréal" hat and therefore quite popular in Paris, but I cannot leave my fanny pack at home. It goes with everything I wear and gives my body a more natural shape.

Et bonne fête des mères!

<i>gives my body a more natural shape</i>

LOL!!

BC