france
 

what kinds of things should i know about france? How do french people treat americans?

They sizzle---burn em at the steak. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/france

Probably better than Americans treat French (at least the Americans I know).

Please get a guide book since there are thousands and thousands of volumes written about France. Your question is open ended. You need to be more explicit in the types of things you would like to know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon

The French tend to be more formal than americans.

When enering a store or retaurant one always says bonjour whoever. In a store one does not examine the merchandise but waits for a clerk to help you. Thanks yous on leaving.

One does not use other adults first names as soon as you met them (I know this sounds incredible but it's true. I have colleagues in a Paris office and they said one of the things that surprised them was that americans all immeditely use other's first names - esp of their superiors or those with professional credentials - they all call their medical director Dr X - while we use first names immeditely.)

Also -understand that food has differnt prices depending on where you sit. If you are charged more in the outside cafe section than inside you re NOT being cheated - you're charged more for the view.

The French are very polite as long as you are. If you offend them - even unintentionally - you may find that they become even more formal.

And frankly, the fact that you ask the question as to how "they treat" americans makes me think you are already going with negative perceptions. Empty your mind of them. Plan on being pleasant - but not "pushy" - and you will have a wonderful time.

Actually I was sarcastic and it's not usually my style.

Listen to 'nyt' and 'Adrieanne'.

Dick - you were not sarcastic, you were funny! It's so difficult to answer non-specific questions. Who knows what he wants to know.

Now I understand. The OP is an 18 year old woman who does not come back to the threads after people have responded.

It's a troll post. I think Iris nailed it!!

i do actually thanks for all of your help :)

i have heard that some french individuals still treat americans with disrespect even though they are nice...

Listen sizzle; You get treated as you treat others. 'Everywhere'.

It is a troll post. Commenting on flights being too early, [7:15am] yet I gave sizzle a 10:30am flight and yet no response.

All about disrespect and treatment of Anericans

<< french individuals still treat americans with disrespect even though they are nice >>

Many Americans treat Americans (and others) with disrespect. Many Germans treat Germans, French, and Americans with disrespect. I doubt there is a nationality that does not treat others with disrespect. Why are you so concerned about the French?

I think some of you are being a bit hard on the OP. Why does she have to be on this board 24/7 like so many of you? Maybe she has a life,

Iris, where and when did you offer advice about a 10:30am flight? I don't see any references in any of her 3 posts.

<< Why does she have to be on this board 24/7 like so many of you? >>

What the heck does that mean?

She asks nebulous questions and when I told her to be more explicit with her questions she completely ignored the comment and never clarified what she wants to know. This is why she is not taken seriously.

I couldn't find the 10:30 flight info from Dick either. He's confusing his posts.

She obviously hasn't even got a guidebook or hasn't done even basic research. Meh.

I know 18-year-olds. Admittedly, mine had been to Europe about 30 times by the time she was 18, so wasn't clueless, but she would never have been THIS clueless. And certainly never had some "attitude" about French people based on spurious and antiquated false opinions about French people. I thought everyone 18 years old these days was steeped in PC behavior - does it not apply to the French?

\Anyway, this poster isn't worth the typing time.

I'm confused by the whole concept of respect, that is, I'm not sure what it means as the word has too many modern connotations to really get my head round.

What I do know is that most French people are very courteous to a level that many Americans find odd. As an Englishman I once ran a French factory and would say good morning to my English colleagues once a day and shake hands with my French colleagues once a day (there is a difference even between these two countries, the English shake hands if meeting for a long time apart or on special occasions not every day). I once shook hands with a French guy twice and he explained that this was not done, which I knew, I had just forgotten him but it caused him some concern. Now imagine how confusing that little difference is to an American who does not know how to behave (in the respective culture) at that detail level.

I believe I was about 18 when I first went to France many many decades ago. I was mannerly, and the French were mannerly to me. That is the respect that is valued no matter where you are. This is a really old and tired canard that our little sizzler has tried to raise.

Actually, we don't know the time frame the OP is talking about. So using www.kayak.com from May to Seotember and a middle of the month date, it shows a 10:30am or 9:15am flight.

Suggest the OP - if she is not a troll - go to the Let's Go Student Guide and the Thorn Tree section of the Lonely Planet web site. A lot of info for student travelers and budget/backpack travelers.

joannyc and adrienne; There is no doubt I was confused.

Comments about flights should have been on another thread.