Is there anybody here from France ?

[kalashnicac]

also in France people are really mean and rude, Americans always say that but it's true. Same in Belgium and I hear in Germany , but in France outside the rural areas where people are friendlier I think, it's particularly striking. You only realize that when you move to a place where people are always nice and polite with you.

Yep I'm afraid most frenchmen are not that kind to foreigners-especially parisians. But Belgians tend to be much nicer actually. The most welcoming europeans IMO are : Belgians, scandinavians in general and Brits.

I was in Paris once, and asked someone for directions, the guy had his back turned to me, and with his back still turned he said "This way"and pointed to both left and right directions with both hands...

Admittedly, this wasn't the nicest neighborhood in town, but it sure ticked me off.

Did you try starting your sentence in French, even basic French? People tend to like it when foreigners make an effort-I can't stand it when American (or british) tourists directly speak English to me. Would you like it if a French tourist came to you and spoke in french expecting you to understand every single word?

When I travel I always learn the few basic questions, I reckon it's a way of being polite. People then generally switch to English but they appreciate the effort and it breaks the ice.

 

[Maverick1]

Quote from kalashnicac:

Yep I'm afraid most frenchmen are not that kind to foreigners-especially parisians. But Belgians tend to be much nicer actually. The most welcoming europeans IMO are : Belgians, scandinavians in general and Brits.



Did you try starting your sentence in French, even basic French? People tend to like it when foreigners make an effort-I can't stand it when American (or british) tourists directly speak English to me. Would you like it if a French tourist came to you and spoke in french expecting you to understand every single word?

When I travel I always learn the few basic questions, I reckon it's a way of being polite. People then generally switch to English but they appreciate the effort and it breaks the ice.

You may have not read my prior posts on this thread. Yes, I did ask him :"Excusez moi monsieur, pourriez vous m'indiquer... etc"

Make no mistake, anectodal evidence is no evidence at all. But I can tell you that my experience with people and manners in Paris wasn't the best and for that I think twice now about returning. Would much rather visit Italy, culture is twice as rich imho.

Also, putting all romanticism aside, I wish French would wake up and freaking recognize that English rules the world today and that it can't hurt them to learn the language, only help them. If anything it will show them how much more rich French is. I also happen to believe that English is the most pragmatic and straightforward and practical language out there today, which is partially why it has been adopted almost everywhere today. Chinese are learning English, even though its hard for them to pronounce l and r because of the native tongue tendencies, but at least they are trying because they know there is material economic gain to them if they can trade with the West.

And in case someone suggests, oh yeah, watch out for Chinese and Indian, I'll say yeah, just wait and see if people even remotely manage to master cantonese and hindu in all their complexity, with who knows how many characters and unfriendly tones in speech. Good luck.

 

[kalashnicac]

You may have not read my prior posts on this thread. Yes, I did ask him :"Excusez moi monsieur, pourriez vous m'indiquer... etc"

Make no mistake, anectodal evidence is no evidence at all. But I can tell you that my experience with people and manners in Paris wasn't the best and for that I think twice now about returning. Would much rather visit Italy, culture is twice as rich imho.

OK fair enough. Yes Parisians aren't very nice, even to fellow Frenchmen (especially to southern Frenchmen, who are betrayed by their accent).

Italy's great, it's my favourite country in Europe. I don't know if you can say culture is twice as rich though-it really depends on what you're looking for. if you travel further south, you might want to go to Croatia and Greece. In fact most mediterranean countries are fantastic (except maybe for Spain IMO, and Albania of course).

Also, putting all romanticism aside, I wish French would wake up and freaking recognize that English rules the world today and that it can't hurt them to learn the language, only help them. If anything it will show them how much more rich French is. I also happen to believe that English is the most pragmatic and straightforward and practical language out there today, which is partially why it has been adopted almost everywhere today. Chinese are learning English, even though its hard for them to pronounce l and r because of the native tongue tendencies, but at least they are trying because they know there is material economic gain to them if they can trade with the West.

I agree with everything you wrote, but I wish English-speaking countries would wake up and recognize that English isn't the only language out there and that cultural diversity has to be protected as much as possible for it is vital for every country's identity.

IOW, I'm OK with a common language but not OK with a common way of thinking/way of life.

 

[Maverick1]

Quote from kalashnicac:

OK fair enough. Yes Parisians aren't very nice, even to fellow Frenchmen (especially to southern Frenchmen, who are betrayed by their accent).

Italy's great, it's my favourite country in Europe. I don't know if you can say culture is twice as rich though-it really depends on what you're looking for. if you travel further south, you might want to go to Croatia and Greece. In fact most mediterranean countries are fantastic (except maybe for Spain IMO, and Albania of course).

Name me one French Michaelangelo or Leonardo...

Or one French equal to Paganini

But of course, for many taste is subjective, blue surely cannot be better than green right?

 

[kalashnicac]

Name me one French Michaelangelo or Leonardo...

Or one French equal to Paganini

As I mentioned, it all depends on what you're looking for/interested in... Ranking artists is difficult and IMO doesn't really make sense.

But of course, for many taste is subjective, blue surely cannot be better than green right?

Yes-that's what I mean.

 

[tradenut]

Quote from Kicking:

also in France people are really mean and rude, Americans always say that but it's true. Same in Belgium and I hear in Germany , but in France outside the rural areas where people are friendlier I think, it's particularly striking. You only realize that when you move to a place where people are always nice and polite with you.

I would tend to disagree whith this rudness thing here.
If you go in France and even attemp to speak the language you will find very friendly people. If you go with an attitude like a lot of tourist and say you need to speak my language and disrespect their way of life then you are in for an uphill battle.
I have seen how some visitors in France and other countries behave for that matter and I would respond to them in exactly the same maner.

 

[tradenut]

Quote from Maverick1:

Name me one French Michaelangelo or Leonardo...

Or one French equal to Paganini

But of course, for many taste is subjective, blue surely cannot be better than green right?

Michael Angelo and Leonardo are one of a kind. No countries in the world can claim someone like them.

In France one could name Georges Bizet as a great one. Fritz Kreisler that although he was not born in France was educated there.
Many great artist of the time lived in Paris, like Franz Litsz, Paganini himself lived there for quite a while.

But you are right when I think Music I think Italy

 

[Wittgenstein]

Quote from Kicking:

also in France people are really mean and rude, Americans always say that but it's true. Same in Belgium and I hear in Germany , but in France outside the rural areas where people are friendlier I think, it's particularly striking. You only realize that when you move to a place where people are always nice and polite with you.

Well, I can say that in the rural areas in South France the local people was very friendly, nice and polite.

I like that the french wants to continue to be french, and don't want a multicultural society like US.

 

[steveosborne]

Quote from Alexandre:

- everything is "petit" (small) in France (ma petite dame, un petit cafe,..). You don't want to say "little" in every sentence you say but in France yes, they do. This reflects the state of mind of a lot of French people.

C'est la ballade des gens heureux (petit jardin,gentil petit vieux).

 

[wilburbear]

Quote from Wittgenstein:

Well, I can say that in the rural areas in South France the local people was very friendly, nice and polite.

I like that the french wants to continue to be french, and don't want a multicultural society like US.

Yes! A lot of people in the U.S. don't want multiculturalism either!