And in another recently completed study it was found that 85% of San Francisco residents who were stuck by lightning were found to be liberal democrats and also breathing oxygen at the time of the strikes! The conclusions of the study are painfully obvious...
I can report first-hand that the French are certainly craving it for sure. I could write volumes about the amazingly positive reactions I have gotten to this thing......
Man, I have never been treated so nicely in Paris before, ever!
I can report first-hand that the French are certainly craving it for sure. I could write volumes about the amazingly positive reactions I have gotten to this thing......
Man, I have never been treated so nicely in Paris before, ever!
What's their 'tude towards Americans in general over there anyway?
I hear that Parisians are pretty snotty towards Americans, but once you get out of Paris everyone is a lot nicer. Any truth to that?
And has it gotten worse since Bush made America more unpopular worldwide? \
What's their 'tude towards Americans in general over there anyway?
I hear that Parisians are pretty snotty towards Americans, but once you get out of Paris everyone is a lot nicer. Any truth to that?
I think a lot of it is due to cultural differences, and a lot of it is due to almost total ignorance of some visiting Americans. A teacher I had once said that he was in a café where an American patron was getting ornery. The teacher said he started pretending he was German due to the embarrassment over the other man's behavior.
I think a lot of it is due to cultural differences, and a lot of it is due to almost total ignorance of some visiting Americans. A teacher I had once said that he was in a café where an American patron was getting ornery. The teacher said he started pretending he was German due to the embarrassment over the other man's behavior.
One of my daughters best friends is french. Her parents are very nice people. In discussing this with them, I found some interesting issues.
While I've been thinking along some of these lines for years, it was surprising to hear them say it.
One reason goes all the way back to WW II. The French are still embarrassed about what happened there, and defensive as well. They are very proud people, and know that it really wasn't De Gaul who kicked the Germans out. They resent the thought somewhat, even after all these years. They also resent the fact that NATO was formed with the US at the top, against their objections. Economic issues are also causing friction, as is the loss French as the worlds diplomatic language to English.
So, it a bunch of subtle things. When Americans come into France, knowing nothing of any of these issues, and act like, well, Americans, problems sometimes occur. They have this feeling that we are laughing at them, and so get their backs up.
What's their 'tude towards Americans in general over there anyway?
.
Best described as genuine love-hate.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TBaggins
I hear that Parisians are pretty snotty towards Americans, but once you get out of Paris everyone is a lot nicer. Any truth to that?.
Yes, people are much nicer outside Paris -- but that's a "big city" phenomenon, not as much a French phenomenon, IMHO.
That said, if you smile a lot, speak slowly/softly (if you speak only English), and use a few simple French phrases such as 'merci,' 'pardon,' 's'il vous plait', and 'bonjour', you'd be surprised at how nice the Parisians can be!
Quote:
Originally Posted by TBaggins
And has it gotten worse since Bush made America more unpopular worldwide? \
.
I don't mean to get into politics, but the answer is an unambiguous "yes."
Comments
Dave
Man, I have never been treated so nicely in Paris before, ever!
I can report first-hand that the French are certainly craving it for sure. I could write volumes about the amazingly positive reactions I have gotten to this thing......
Man, I have never been treated so nicely in Paris before, ever!
What's their 'tude towards Americans in general over there anyway?
I hear that Parisians are pretty snotty towards Americans, but once you get out of Paris everyone is a lot nicer. Any truth to that?
And has it gotten worse since Bush made America more unpopular worldwide?
.
What's their 'tude towards Americans in general over there anyway?
I hear that Parisians are pretty snotty towards Americans, but once you get out of Paris everyone is a lot nicer. Any truth to that?
I think a lot of it is due to cultural differences, and a lot of it is due to almost total ignorance of some visiting Americans. A teacher I had once said that he was in a café where an American patron was getting ornery. The teacher said he started pretending he was German due to the embarrassment over the other man's behavior.
I think a lot of it is due to cultural differences, and a lot of it is due to almost total ignorance of some visiting Americans. A teacher I had once said that he was in a café where an American patron was getting ornery. The teacher said he started pretending he was German due to the embarrassment over the other man's behavior.
One of my daughters best friends is french. Her parents are very nice people. In discussing this with them, I found some interesting issues.
While I've been thinking along some of these lines for years, it was surprising to hear them say it.
One reason goes all the way back to WW II. The French are still embarrassed about what happened there, and defensive as well. They are very proud people, and know that it really wasn't De Gaul who kicked the Germans out. They resent the thought somewhat, even after all these years. They also resent the fact that NATO was formed with the US at the top, against their objections. Economic issues are also causing friction, as is the loss French as the worlds diplomatic language to English.
So, it a bunch of subtle things. When Americans come into France, knowing nothing of any of these issues, and act like, well, Americans, problems sometimes occur. They have this feeling that we are laughing at them, and so get their backs up.
What's their 'tude towards Americans in general over there anyway?
.
Best described as genuine love-hate.
I hear that Parisians are pretty snotty towards Americans, but once you get out of Paris everyone is a lot nicer. Any truth to that?.
Yes, people are much nicer outside Paris -- but that's a "big city" phenomenon, not as much a French phenomenon, IMHO.
That said, if you smile a lot, speak slowly/softly (if you speak only English), and use a few simple French phrases such as 'merci,' 'pardon,' 's'il vous plait', and 'bonjour', you'd be surprised at how nice the Parisians can be!
And has it gotten worse since Bush made America more unpopular worldwide?
.
I don't mean to get into politics, but the answer is an unambiguous "yes."