I will be taking my second trip to Europe during Easter break. I want to know if it's true that the French look down on Americans or everybody because if I heard that they have ignored you even if tried to speak French. I will also like to know where are some good restaurants that aren't expensive, the best tourist sites, and how the weather will be like. Merci

I have only been to Paris a few times so I can't say much just that I didn't care to much about it. <BR>The main thing I need to say is that I am Canadian and most Europeans are rude until they know that you are Canadian not American. When they hear us talk they automatically think we are American. <BR>We have rectified that by wearing a little sticker on our fanny packs just to let people know we are Canadian. <BR>So if someone is rude to you, say you are Canadian not American and see how much nicer they become. Some of my American friends do. <BR>And some people say that having that little sticker says you are a tourist and a prime target for gypsies and thieves. <BR>We already look like tourists anyway dressing the way we do and carrying the camera over the shoulder anyway. <BR>Also everyone speaks English over there anyway and they would much rather speak to you in English. <BR>Good luck <BR>PS. Don't get me wrong I have nothing against Americans. This is just what I have noticed from my travels.

Your best bet is to get yourself a phrase book and learn useful phrases (Barron's French At A Glance is excellent). Folks who assume it's not the least bit necessary to learn a word of French in preparation for their visit are typically the ones who complain of being treated less than graciously. Barron's has phonetic pronunciations. "Americanized" pronunciations will get you nowhere. While most folks in Paris, particularly those working in shops, cafes, museums, and restaurants, speak some or more English, many are much more confident and willing to assist once you've made a rudimentary attempt to speak a little French. What you're hearing is definitely not true. Particularly amusing are the Americans who believe shouting in English is better understood. I can't remember the last time anyone in a shop or restaurant where I live said, "My pleasure to serve you, Madame." Whereas, I received this everywhere we went in Paris. An excellent website for moderately priced restaurants is www.paris-hotel.com, then restaurants. We found some gems that way. Another good website is www.reservethebest.com. And, I highly recommend Leeds Good Guide, well worth the price of the download.

The previous poster has it partially right. You don't really need good pronunciation or fluency if you're a novice at French. For most of us talking to service personnel, giving it a go in French will prompt them to rescue you from that effort and speak to you helpfully in English if they can, or cheerfully with hand signals. If your French is better, it needs to be pretty good for you to be accepted as an equal in conversation. Their expectations go way up, and you are more likely to be considered an inconvenience unless your French is near-native. <BR> <BR>I was surprised generally at the scarcity of English-speaking service personnel, even in tourist offices and train stations, when compared with other countries in Northern Europe.

Hi, <BR> <BR>I am Canadian and I can speak French, but I didn't have that great of an experience with the people in Paris. Some were nice, but some just looked at me like I had horns on my head. My Mom, who doesn't speak French much, had a pretty bad experience in a store. She tried to pay for something and they looked at her like she was offering Canadian money or something (she wasn't, she was offering the correct amount in Francs). I think that they didn't like the fact that she didn't speak much French. She ended up paying by Visa. I have heard that the people living in Paris treat other people who live in other parts of france pretty badly too.

hi...I just returned from Paris Aug23-30...I used the Learning Program Learn to Speak French a couple months before I left...had somewhat of an understanding enough to translate alot of the written french words...I always asked Parles vous Anglais? before I spoke to anyone in English. I had no trouble finding people to speak in English... and only once during the week did I find someone rude to us (in a store in Montmartre). I did not find anyone who was rude to us just because we were American. I loved Paris immensely and cant wait one day to return. A decent restaurant, reasonable is called Hippopatamus...we had steak, drink and dessert for 99F (approx. $14 USD). Also, try Chez Francis near the Pont De Alma metro area, it was fantastic with a great night time view of the Eiffel tower and great service (good service was hard to find in restaurants). Try a frommage crepe (cheese), excellent! and also try a jambon et frommage (ham and cheese)bagette sandwich! Have fun!

When given the cold shoulder by service people in France, I blow them away by speaking to them in Spanish. Being nearly bi-lingual, I have done this many times. They almost fall over themselves to give my wife and me appropriate service. You must be firm, non-smiling, and direct -- look them straight in the eye. Demand your rights as a customer. Most American are softies or loud; neither pays.

Firm, Non smiling and direct! Hardly a way to "win friends and influence people". I can appreciate a little why this sort of attitude may lead to being "cold shouldered" Al. <BR>I always find that being friendly, polite and attempting French usually does the trick, you don't have to be soft to do this. I have met some wonderful, kind people in the French countryside and smaller towns. They have always appreciated my attempts at "school girl" French. I'm not American though so can't speak from the American point of view. <BR>Angela

Dear Juan: You will have a wonderful time in France during Easter. There won't be many tourists and the Parisians and others that you encounter will be relaxed. Just greet all the customer service people that you meet with a polite "Bonjour, Monsieur (ou Madame)!" and you will get along just fine. Whenever I have been in France and encountered a rude person, I chalk it up to the same reason that I encounter rude people in New York, Chicago or Minneapolis: they are tired and they have dealt with difficult people all day. Remember, too, to just try to get along - be part of every day life - and don't try to get special treatment just because you are on vacation.

Angela: when I am a customer and spending my money and being given the cold shoulder by salespeople, I am NOT in the business, as you put it, of "winning friends and influencing people." I, as a customer, am the reason why these people have a job. My money supports them. I am not about to be treated as their inferior because they think I am not French.

Al <BR>Just a query but how does speaking Spanish help?

i've been to paris once and nice once. i thought the people were perfectly good host. you find some rude people everywhere you go. i love paris. wish i had a trip planned to go back. buy a guide book for the places to go. there are so many you will most likely have to set priorities. i pretty much thought it was all wonderful!!!

I've spent a lot of time in Paris and I don't speak French. I have yet to encounter the rudeness they are so infamous for. Stay away from tourist spots for eating,(like the Champs Elysee). Learn basic phrases before you go especially for ordering food, since you'll use that the most. And learn greetings. The French always, ALWAYS, greet each other entering shops and restaurants. And, it is the one arriving who intiates the greeting.I think this is where Americans feel they're being treated poorly. If you attempt French, they'll usually help you out, though the French speak less English than in other European countries. We aren't used to being the one to start the hello when entering a shop, and often don't bother at all.I try to blend in, but I know I still look like a tourist. It's amazing how far a "Bonjour" and "Merci Beaucoup" can go. For inexpensive restaurants try the Place Contrescarpe on the Rue Moufftard. Also the Left Bank has inexpensive, but not inspiring food. A place for good food and action is the Marais, (4th,Batille).If you are alone the Marais is also a good spot for dining alone, though in Paris, dining alone is not a big deal. <BR>Have a Good trip, its a wonderful city!

I wince every time I hear American tourists say to waiters in the cafes here: Hey, can I get a coffee? Try to speak a little French, at least Parlez-vous anglais? (do you speak English?). You will be so much better received.

Hi Juan: <BR>I love Paris!!! I've been there twice and look forward to another visit soon. I found a book of basic French phrases in Barnes And Noble. It was pocket sized and sounded everything out. I found it very helpful along with my Junior High Basic French. I always started off with Bonjour followed by Good Morning (Afternoon, etc.) I found that 99.9% of the people I encountered followed my lead, if we could not communicate verbally, hand signals or showing them the place I was looking for in a guide book worked great! A bus driver who spoke no English managed to get me to Montmarte without getting lost. Just be patient and polite. Have a great trip!!!

Follow the advise that Betsy gave and you will not go wrong. We just returned from two weeks in France including Paris. But I always greeted the clerk or shop keeper in French. If you with anything else they will look upon it as being rude and may not speak to you.

Whoever said that there aren't many tourists in Paris at Easter wasn't exactly correct - tons of people from other European countries flood into Paris for the holiday weekend - particularly (last year, at least) Polish tourists. But you don't run into lots of Americans. <BR>And learn to speak a little French - at least try to meet the entire country halfway.

I've been to Paris several times, am American and don't hide it and only speak a tiny bit of French. I LOVE Paris!! I think the people there are pretty friendly, especially compared to residents of any other city that large. Like others have said, at least learn how to say please, thank you, good day, goodbye, etc. Just a few words go a long way! I live in Europe and travel all over and I've never caught any flack for being American. I think the Europeans just don't like loud, stupid tourists, regardless where they're from.

I've seen so many rude Americans on cruise ships and in restaurants, etc. it's no wonder some of those get treated poorly-the way some act to the staff, especially some New Yorkers. I think many don't get out much and have hard jobs so the only way they can feel some kind of little power is to treat the staff like crap. I have known some super sharp ones and have seen many rude and arrogant ones also. If you are nice to people, generally they are nice to you-all over the world!

I have to say that I have been to Paris 6 times and in all those trips I've only had 1 rude waiter experience, and even that was so bad it was funny. <BR>I found the people to be friendly, efficient and surprisingly service oriented, and I only have a smattering of high school French. <BR>My husband and I go out of our way to be polite and appreciative, I would suggest that has something to do with the excellent service we recieve in Paris.