What are Frenchmen like?
 

What are Frenchmen like? I'm going to France in two weeks and am just wondering. Thank you!

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Becky, <BR> <BR>Absolutely lovely. <BR>Start practicing your French NOW. <BR> <BR>xo <BR>T

I noticed that you asked about French MEN! At any rate, the French people were very friendly.

Three observations: <BR> <BR>- They wear a lot of perfume (cologne?). <BR> <BR>- The older, the sexier. <BR> <BR>- They either are paying a lot of attention to the paper, or their clothes, or their male companion.

French men are no different than men anywhere else (make your list of positives and negatives, they'll fit in) with one major exception....French men truly love women. No screaming "hey baby" from a construction site (I also have never seen a butt crack in the lot); they actually...now be prepared... LOOK AT YOUR FACE WHEN THEY TALK TO YOU. Scary as hell...

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Yes! Of COURSE I'm interested in frenchmen. Why else would I be going? :) No, no, just a joke, I'm going there to experience french culture and to work on my language skills. I have a very strong American accent. will they laugh at me or think it's cute?

Hi Becky, just wondering what you mean by a "strong American accent"? May I ask what part of America you are from? Just curious. -Deb

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Becky - I was in France several years ago and am going back this summer. I was with a tour that included some people who did not even try to speak French --I thought they were rude. Others of us spoke at least some French. I found the French people responded accordingly. <BR>In every case if we attempted to communicate with them in their language (no matter how poorly)they went out of their way to be friendly and help us. <BR>I was NEVER treated badly. I was, however, embarrased by the behavior of some of the people in my group. The French seemed so appreciative of our efforts to speak French. I fell in love with the country and the people and can hardly wait to get back. <BR>In my experience, if you are practicing your French you will find that they will enjoy interacting with you, will be very patient, and will be very helpful. Have fun. I will be there when you are! Jane

Becky, French men tend to be quite polite and respectful of women they see as meriting such treatment. As noted by Elvira, eye-to-eye contact (as opposed to the eye-to-breat contact so typical in US) is the norm for social exchanges. On the other hand, those who appear in public "all tarted up" are likely to be treated in a different way, sort of as a disposable commodity. So, if your dress and demeanor remain within the bounds of respectability you should rather enjoy your experience.