File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
How would an average American get treated in France? I don't speak much French, but I know the basics.

I've heard mixed opinions, so I am asking you, /trv/. All 5 of you that still roam this board.
>> FUCK YOU
you'll be treated fine as long as you don't rub american politics in people's faces.
>> Anonymous
sorry bout the sage and shit... left over from previous thread
>> Anonymous
I heard Sarkozy likes Americans, and the French hate Sarkozy, so go figure.
>> Anonymous
lol you americans are so lulzy. Hoards of ordinary french - commuters, transport staff, businessmen, recpetionists, teachers - are not going to leave their posts and descend on a couple of American tourists.

jeez louise
>> Anonymous
>>21455
I don't think he's talking about you know, getting attacked. I've never been to France, but all over other parts of Europe and honestly I would enjoy it if people would just let me enjoy visiting their country without talking about how much Bush sucks. Yes. He does. I've heard it before in England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Please shut up, and lemme eat some damn crepes.
>> Anonymous
>>21464
well, then, don't live in a country with a retarded president, what can we do?
>> Anonymous
>>21447
really, Americans rub it in your face?

>>21477
there is a difference between someone who tells you their opinion and fags like you who ask for anal intercourse lerntehdifference
>> Anonymous
Pretty nicely, in general. Just don't go around yelling in English and complaining about the food, and try to dress as nicely as you can, because our idea of "casual" is their idea of "homeless bum". Also, if you talk to people at length you may get a lot of casual unsolicited remarks about your (supposed) eating habits, the general ignorance of Americans, etc, even if the person doesn't know you. Don't take any of it personally, because you absolutely, positively, cannot win this argument. Just smile and change the subject.

You may occasionally run into a douchebag with a chip on his shoulder who wants to rub your inferior Americanness in your face, but this will pretty much happen anywhere.
>> Anonymous
>>21480

So yeah...

tldr; Pretend that youre not american.
>> Anonymous
>>21481
Fuck that. I was like that when I first started studying abroad. Never again will I be ashamed of where I come from. I'm not fat, I don't have a southern accent, and I'm politically open minded. It's other people's jobs to learn that America isn't all just a bunch of dumbfucks.

There's a difference between being a proud American, and someone proud that they come from 'MERICUH. I'm of the former.
>> Anonymous
never say "AMERICA FUCK YEAH WE SAVED YOUR ASS CHEESE EATING SURRENDER MONKEY" it will not be appreciated


and put some french words even if you speak english

actually a lot of french do not speak english so they are not rude they just don't understand
>> Anonymous
>>21481tldr; Pretend that youre not american.

No, I didn't say that. I said don't try to argue with someone if you feel they are ignorant about your country's food, level of education, etc, because they generally have a stick up their collective assess about the whole thing. There are a lot of funny ideas about America floating around out there, and the French in particular seem to make a national sport out of developing and nurturing these funny ideas. They seem to think that being French is an excuse for ignorance and cultural chauvanism. If you decide to make it your personal mission to change this fact, you'd better have a big appetite for confrontation, because you are one small person against an entire country. As a tourist, you need to understand this fact in advance so that you don't end up getting into any arguments that you will inevitably lose. You see, you're not a Bad Person. You're just a little inferior.

As an American, you're probably not used to being made to feel this way, so it will seem weird at first. Just remember that if they really hated you, they wouldn't even deign to express their funny ideas about you (see: Japan). So that's why you shouldn't be too bothered by it.

>>21482

There's a big difference between being ashamed of your country, and going around arguing with people over something you can't control. But if you want to go waving your American flag and "educating" people about your great country, instead of just relaxing and enjoying a new place, please do so, and come back to /trv/ with stories so we can all laugh at your sucky vacation.
>> Anonymous
>>21455
Yes they are. They've already planned the attack.
>> Anonymous
I'm french and honnestly, at least in the city i live in, you won't be treated differently as any other tourist. I'm alway happy to help lost tourist visit my city, even more if i can practice my english and enventually have a discution about how they find this place and why not drinking a beer. The fact that they come in a pretty lost city like mine shows that they're not the average retarded redneck coming to see the Eiffel Tower.
>> Anonymous
>>21487

Personnally i'd enjoy speaking about anything with tourists, specially if they have something intelligent to say. I remember talking with an old dude while smoking a cigarette he asked me (in english) and enjoying the fact he wasn't the basic moron and had some things to tell me about his country i haven't heard anywhere else at the time.
>> Anonymous
This topic turns up every week. There is much more animosity against the French in America than the opposite. The French tend to restrict their criticism on the government or the foreign policy of your country, while in America direct attack on French culture and French people is not considered xenophobic, but acceptable political discourse.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-French_sentiment_in_the_United_States

You won't feel mistreated in France at all if you don't behave as the loud, arrogant and ultra-nationalist American tourist stereotype, but this is true for all the EU countries. Also you won't get treated better there than people from any other nationality only for being American.
>> Anonymous
>>21439

learn these three phrases:
BONJOUR
JE SUIS AMERICAN
JE N'AI PAS VOTE POUR BUSH
>> Anonymous
>>21464
QFT

I was at a bar in Helsinki last summer and I started talking to a bit "older" Austrian woman probably in her late 30s early 40s. So anyway, she asks where I'm from and I tell her I'm from Americ-----

I was cut off by her with some stupid shit like "why did you guys vote for bush dur dur dur". So it seemed as if she wanted to argue and I told her the situation and set it straight. Long story short, I ended up having sex with her. lol it was awkward, but it just shows you that most of these people don't detest Americans, they're just pretty misinformed on what an American really is.
>> Anonymous
>>21477
no country has a non retarded president/government.
if you can name one, then I'll move there accordingly.
>> Anonymous
>>21557
Switzerland
>> Anonymous
>>21563

Too bad they don't like outsiders.
>> Anonymous
>>21577
Good.
>> Anonymous
I was in Paris last fall and for the most part I got treated really nicely. Contrary to what I heard, most people in Paris did not speak English. Or at least the people I encountered. I learned a few simple phrases and my pronunciation was pronunciation was decent enough (in addition to the fact that I apparently look kinda French according to this one girl I met), that I kept getting mistaken for a French person. Hell, people even were asking me for directions...

The only time I encountered stereotypical snooty "French" behavior was on the Eurostar train going from London to Paris. Some Frenchfag was sitting in our seat and chatting it up with a fellow Frenchfag and when we were like, "Excuse me but I think that's our seat" he was all "Yes, I know can you just sit over there?" No "please" or anything. Well, thanks for asking first, asshole. Not to mention that those fags yapped hella loudly for the whole fucking trainride when we were trying to get some shut eye. Well, whatever, that was by far the low point of the trip. France was awesome. Can't wait to go back.
>> Anonymous
have never had problems with hostility anywhere in Europe let alone France. try traveling in the middle east, even in places like Kuwait it can be tense.
>> Anonymous
>>21597
Not everywhere in the middle east is like that, for example Turke-oh wait...
>> Anonymous
You'll have cheese thrown on you. Then they laugh at you. On the plus side, you'll have cheese thrown on you.
>> Anonymous
>>21487
All I'm saying is when I hit that period of extreme depression and homesickness that most/all exchange students experience, I got really fucking pissed at all the anti-america shit I had heard a million times before. I can get a little worked up about it online, but honestly I just try to say "You know, your media really builds up the real negative stuff, but America is still a wonderful place to live, with a lot of wonderful people."
>> Anonymous
frenchfag here
>You won't feel mistreated in France at all if you don't behave as the loud, arrogant and ultra-nationalist American tourist stereotype, but this is true for all the EU countries. Also you won't get treated better there than people from any other nationality only for being American.
yeah that....
>and if i may quote anon "You know, your media really builds up the real negative stuff, but "europe and especially france" is still a wonderful place to live, with a lot of wonderful people."
>> Anonymous
as long as you don't bring some sort of weapon you should be fine. make sure to clip your nails in private. the french may see this foreign weapon and mistake your grooming for an attack. PROS- You will be the new leader of France

CONS- the UN will rape your ass.
>> Anonymous
>>21439
>As an American, you're probably not used to being made to feel this way
no I am, I don't know how you skipped the part of being an American where you are constantly stereotyped for some stupid belief/skin color/way you dress/income. But you must have some codling parents, you missed an important charcter building experience.
>> Anonymous
True story:
When my French professor was a student she studied in France for a year, living with a host family. A year she spent with these people, living in their home, sharing their meals, babysitting their children, and on the day she was supposed to leave, not a single one of them told her goodbye. They didn't even look up when she walked out the door. Any French Anons care to explain this one? I'm not bitching, I'm just curious.
>> Anonymous
>>21760
frenchfag here, usually we're pretty cool with guests and have a good sense of hospitality (hi there alcohol).
She must have been with total morons, it shocks me as you and it would shock any frenchfag who's not a moron, that's not usual at all.
>> Anonymous
>>21765
Good to know. :)
>> Anonymous
Dutchfag here.
France is a very nice country, but they tend to be very protective of their culture. So don't expect a lot of English television, English music or even people who can speak English.
Oh, if you see "Tete de Veau" on the menu, avoid it.
>> Anonymous
France is a great country! Great wine, food, history and culture! One thing I hate about France: the French.

How they treat the average Yank? I'm in Aix-en-Provence and I hear Americans chatting somewhere in earshot everytime I go shopping. The French (in Aix at least) are pretty much "le meh" about Amerikaners, I guess.
>> Anonymous
>>21765
You lie! The French aren't that proficient in English! Sale menteur!
>> Anonymous
>>21771
No i'm not lying. Et tous les français ne parlent pas qu'une seule langue ;)
>> gizmogal !MmLOyiCYJs
ever hear the Weird Al song 'Genius In France'?
it's probably all a lie.

though my sis went on exchange there and never complained of unfriendliness.
>> Balls Anonymous
"Amourettes" means testicles
>> Anonymous
>>21596
This might be a bit of a misunderstanding. The difference doesn't exist in French between "can" and "may."
>> Anonymous
Ausfag here interested in travelling to France for a bit.

Does anyone know how Australians are treated there?
>> Anonymous
>>21850
like americans with crazy as fuck accents
>> Anonymous
>>21850

Get treated fine, due to WWI.
>> Anonymous
>>21850
We had australians student here, they were treated very well, because of the cool dude reputation of australians and the fact that as we don't hear about their country on the news they don't have any bad reputation associated (like Americans = Bush, etc)
>> Anonymous
The French are not that bad, yes, they do think their culture is superior.

Your best bet is to not get drunk and yell in English and act like a dumbass. Thats OK in some parts of Germany, because 40% of the citizens there are drunk at any given point in time. The French don't tolerate loud stupid foriegn people anymore then we do.
>> Anonymous
Whenever I go on French Yahoo Chess, the minute they find out I'm American everything changes. They only speak in English, usually starting with "nice to meet you," even though we've been conversing in French fine up until that point. They insist they want to practice their English, which sounds like a BS excuse to me. For me I try to admit I'm from America as little as possible, and sometimes I throw in commonwealth spelling mixed with American spelling just to throw them off.
>> Anonymous
When I traveled europe and I talked to random local strangers in their country, I just said I was from Canada. That, and I dressed like a european, that is, some black shoes, jeans, and an type of ulgy grey jacket popular with Polish people. Walk around like you know where your going, and wear an blank expression, and nobody will look at you twice.

I've had Germans walk up to me and ask for directions, i pulled it off so well...
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>21866

LEAVE POLISH GRAY JACKETS ALONE !!!
>> Anonymous
It's amazing what not looking like a fat tourist and at least trying to speak French will get you.
>> Anonymous
I'm from America, but I'm also a young black Muslim interested in seeing Shariah Law implemented in France. I also want all trains, schools, restaurants, and cars segregated by gender, even though I am only visiting for 2 days. I'm also a bit of a thief. How welcome would my kind be in France?
>> Anonymous
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>>21876
Oh, look, your train has arrived. You don't want to be late. HOP IN.
>> Anonymous
>>21876
Oh, you'll have a great time. You can run around berserk in the streets, lighting cars on fire, assaulting cops, ect... the French won't do shit to you.
>> Anonymous
>>21877
Where does it go? Syria?
>> Anonymous
>>21876
You'll fit right in, muslim brother.
>> Anonymous
>>21880
No. It's the train that takes you directly from the airport straight to downtown Paris.
>> Anonymous
>>21879
Yes, here suburb peoples have a long tradition of burning everything in their neightborhood, then bitching how there's nothing good in their neightborhood and how it's the government's fault.
>> Anonymous
above post : so so true
>> Anonymous
Avoid France. Just my opinion, mostly, but both me and my sister agree Spain and Germany are far better
UK is a bit boring, but good overall
>> Anonymous
>>23210

I don't believe you have a sister. Enjoy your personal opinion.
>> Unanonymous
>large_flag_of_french_guiana.gif
wut?
>> Anonymous
>>21612You know, your media really builds up the real negative stuff

I never realized how true that was until I studied abroad. I'm in Australia now, and I still overhear people saying the craziest shit about America, stuff that makes no sense; it's really weird.

Also, OP: try going to the little towns and villages. People are almost always nice there, this is generally true of small towns all over the world, and they are often quite scenic and relaxing.
>> Anonymous
Just say your Canadian. The people are friendly and the food is some of the best you will ever eat. Just make sure no one knows your american.
>> Anonymous
French Guiana has the same flag as France as it is a part of France
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
If you're going to France, well then prepare yourself tight. Cause In France Toilet Pisses on you.
>> Anonymous
>>23260

Bidet doesn't exist anymore lol just for some old people to wash their feet
>> Anonymous
>>21439

Pretend to be a Canadian and then be a complete dick to everyone you meet.
>> Anonymous
French people don't hate americans, nor america and its movies, music, etc...

only most of american medias say the opposite, don't know why..

last time I checked some poll on worldopinion.org, 65% of the French have favorable opinions on the americans, 4 percent below british population's favorable opinion on the americans.

Just don't speak too loudly, say bonjour before asking something, you don't need to speak some french words, just speak in english but slowly and everything will be fine.

Don't act like a king or you will be treated like shit.
>> Anonymous
this has nothing to do with his love of the usa, this is because he acted like a star and was in every magazine. Now he stopped and he's seen more favorably.
>> Anonymous
That's a lie, we son't think our culture is superior, we just love it.

On the question: "is your culture superior?" 68% of the French disagreed

source: http://pewglobal.org/reports/pdf/258.pdf page 49
>> Anonymous
Another frenchfag here.

>>21760
Well, nothing french in this reaction.
It's really weird, they were just weird people.

>>21863
>>The French are not that bad, yes, they do think their culture is superior.
Wait, what ?
On the contrary, all the persons i know (at least from my generation, i'm in my late 20's) don't find our country exceptionnal and are often complaining about a lot of things.


In conclusion, question OP posted even surprised me : i didn't even think we could beheave like jackasses with any stranger.
>> Anonymous
Another frenchfag here.

>>21760
Well, nothing french in this reaction.
It's really weird, they were just weird people.

>>21863
>>The French are not that bad, yes, they do think their culture is superior.
Wait, what ?
On the contrary, all the persons i know (at least from my generation, i'm in my late 20's) don't find our country exceptionnal and are often complaining about a lot of things.


In conclusion, question OP posted even surprised me : i didn't even think of anyone i know that could beheave like a jackass with any stranger.

Maybe some particular case but hey, like in any country.
>> deleted
>>21760
Maybe they just hated her after a whole year of putting up with the bitch.
>> Anonymous
I absolutely detest it when Americans pretend to be Canadian. I hate seeing them wearing OUR flag, and I especially hate that it makes people in other countries suspicious of me.
>> Anonymous
I'm a maritime Canadian, and I only speak Acadian French(IE, the kind of french spoken in the middle ages), how weird would they treat me?
>> Anonymous
>>24089

I dunno what Acadian looks like but if you speak like Quebecois it will be good (fun on your accent but it's normal)
But if you speak like a middle age frenchman you better should to speak english
>> Anonymous
>>24098
no, you see, the Acadians were kind of blocked off from french culture when nova scotia was taken over by the british, way back in A LONG TIME AGO. So my french is pretty much middle ages french and I don't know the words for anything invented after around the 1700s.
>> Anonymous
>>24219
Computer = Ordinateur
Car = Voiture

You're set.
>> Anonymous
>>24089
Dude, they'd treat you like a king that's what... You could get so many chicks with that lingo that you'd run out of semen to toss.
>> Anonymous
>>24234
Yeah. It's just like here in the United States (Or, presumably, Britain/Australia/South Africa/other primarily English-speaking nations). Bitches be all over that Elizabethan English.

OP, just explain yourself and you'll have no problems. Though they'll probably make fun of you a bit.
Also you'll be completely lost on les argots.
>> Anonymous
whenever you meet someone, tell them you come from the greatest country in the world, America.
People will love you.
>> Anonymous
I liked France maybe the least out of all the places I have been to in Europe (except maybe Belgium). Rude people, poor service in cafe/restaurant, and a lot of ghettos.
>> Anonymous
>>24222
I lol'd
>> Anonymous
>>24286
>Rude people, poor service in cafe/restaurant
just stand up and say YOU CANT TREAT ME LIKE THIS, IM A FUCKING AMERICAN CITIZEN
trust me on this, they will love you.
>> Anonymous
>>24487
STEP THE FUCK OFF BITCH, I DRIVE A DODGE STRATUS
>> Anonymous
"YOU CANT TREAT ME LIKE THIS, IM A FUCKING AMERICAN CITIZEN" say that and be sure that French will hit fucking ass. Non mais ho,bande de gros con!
>> Anonymous
I went to France last year and loved it. People were friendly and everything, Paris was beautiful. People only generally get pissed if you don't say hello or good evening or something before you speak. I actually though the people were extremely friendly.
>> Anonymous
Just make sure to stay away from the non-white sections.
>> Anonymous
I'm American and I went 2 years ago to Paris, Chamonix, Nice. I had heard the typical "French people hate Americans, French people are arrogant," but my experience was good. People were helpful and friendly. I know some French and tried to speak whenever possible and except for one or two people, everyone understood me.
>> Anonymous
Jesus H. Christ. They're human beings. Just don't be a dick. How would you act in a tourist town in America? You don't talk about politics or religion to people you don't know. There you go. You're set.

Learning a few phrases can't hurt, but it's not necessary, either.

Just be friendly and don't scowl. The French are usually very nice people, despite what the media makes them out to be. Also? To whatever moron said they're snobs and uppity about their traditions? What country isn't to a certain degree? America just doesn't have any traditions because it's a melting pot. They're not going to eat your face because you ZOMG LIKE HAMBURGER AND NOT TRADITIONAL FRENCH CUISINE.

TL;DR. This is all obvious shit. "Treat others the way you want to be treated," and yeah. There are some assholes. But that's everywhere, not just France.
>> Anonymous
to hail a cab, stand on the curb and wave your passport while shouting your nationality. weird, i know, but it's their way.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>25112
wear a shirt with this picture on it for added effect
>> Anonymous
>>25125
that's one patriotic tortoise..
>> Anonymous
shitty pic without robocop, epic pic with robocop. Well, not robocop, I mean murphy, I can call him murphy he's my friend.
>> Anonymous
>>25626

this is the best post in the history of /trv/
>> Anonymous
First of all: there is Paris AND the rest of France.

Paris is a beautiful city full of pricks, the rest of the country is fine.
>> Anonymous
>Paris is a beautiful city full of pricks

I have moved there 7 years ago (from Tahiti) and have resisted "prickization", if I say so myself, and my neighbor, who is British, is a perfect gentleman.
Also, in the summer, there are probably more foreigners than Parisians in Paris, because the former gather en masse while the latter have left on their 3-5 week vacation. So the pricks are outnumbered.
>> Anonymous
Some tourists are pricks too
I love Paris but I prefer Bretagne and south of France