AnneG Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Americans who have visited France have told me that the French hate Americans. I refuse to believe that. I think some French might, but I think assuming they all do would be stereotyping them as well. --Darlene Darlene, you are absolutely correct. Many French (as well as other Europeans) rail against the 'typical American' (as they should). I've been to France many times, and on my first trip it astonished me how helpful they were, how they approached me to make sure I was going to the right place. I spoke French as best I could, and that helped tremendously. Make a little effort to respect their culture and they appreciate that.Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 In my experience France was like 2 countries. The people in the small towns outside Paris (Avignon, Arles, Nice, Bayoux and the Normandy Beach area are the places I went)...these people were up there with the best people I've met anywhere, and I've been to probably 25 countries. They went way out of their way to help you etc etc. But Parisians (as a group) were the opposite, in my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Americans are good people as a group. And "typical Americans" that travel Europe and the world are an even better subgroup of Americans. They're an intelligent, inquisitive, open minded, adventerous, respectful bunch on the whole. Why Europeans would "rail" against them (I never saw this) I don't get. Or even worse, to state "as they should" is even more repugnant, IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris hess Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 true story..my daughters friend went to france,she was wearing a u.s.a. sweatshirt waiting for a ride..an older woman walked pass her,looked at her sweatshirt,and spit on her!! really!! there's bad in everyone i guess,too bad it happened to a 19 year old from the united states who was just visiting..i doubt she will ever forget that "experience" in her lifetime..lol,chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelina Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 A-Berries....I'm ALL man. "Angelina" is actually a county in TX where a dear friend of mine used to be a judge. Long story!Booyah is props...more in a Cramer "Mad-Money" fashion. Plus TX is well-known for its beauty pageants. Of course if I'm shirtless..it's only because I can pull off that look...even at this old age...just not in Green Bay where it's usually freezing! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelina Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 BTW...this conservative has been to Paris three times in the mid 80's at the height of the euro-Reagan hate-fest. I didn't notice any outward disdain toward me or my travel-mates. Of course we were raised in NYC where sometimes gruffy-exhuberence is mistaken for poor-attitude. Maybe Parisians get a little of that quick judgement as well.John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvin Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Forget France. Come to Quebec and Canada. You'll get REAL hospitality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnneG Posted November 5, 2008 Share Posted November 5, 2008 Americans are good people as a group. And "typical Americans" that travel Europe and the world are an even better subgroup of Americans. They're an intelligent, inquisitive, open minded, adventerous, respectful bunch on the whole. Why Europeans would "rail" against them (I never saw this) I don't get. Or even worse, to state "as they should" is even more repugnant, IMHO. Not repugnant at all. It was a stereotypical observation, just as 'France is rude'. I've seen many Americans (mainly young) who are very rude and abrupt overseas. Unfortunately that's what many Europeans think of as a 'typical' American. And then if you add in their disdain for American politics, it can often get worse.Just be polite and courteous and you shouldn't have any trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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