What is the World's Perception of France

[Sudcaro]

Originally Posted by kerouac2

I read the strangest things here.

Me too.
But I have the feeling that most people's perception of France is just like other people's perception of other countries!

[ABQConvict]

Originally Posted by Tenzo

Cheese eating surrender monkeys

I am stunned by your cleverness.



ABQConvict

[Leovigildo]

Parisians are like pampered poodles. When they perceive that the world stares at them, they use their entire arsenal of antics.

For Parisians, Paris is France, but Paris is not France.

Stay away from Paris.

[lidolido]

i think you made pretty objective and complete descriptions. that 's the same as I have seen and heard in the US. People like to make fun of the French people for their being arrogant, and too liberal.
I think we all respect France very much for that it is the home of modern democracy in practice. The revolutions happened in the 18th century are really a foundation of today's world. But when they are no longer that relevant in the world, the French people tend to be extremely focusing on the 'cultural' and 'political' influence they want to make to the rest of the world.

[janeautomne]

I am not gonna play devil's advocate, I'm French and I do agree on some points here.

When I've been abroad and said "I'm French", I had two main answers : 1/ Oh really? I love Paris! It's so romantic! or 2/ Oh... (with this look going from head to toes)

France is a pretty country, we're lucky to have a good scenic variety that allows all kinds of people to find something they'd like. And we do deserve some criticism. As all people from all contries do.

Paris and France, as you said, it's not the same thing. Like London and England, Amsterdam and the Netherlands, etc. Some French people living in the countryside do think parisians are arrogant, selfish, too busy,... But it's just a big city. Everything is made for tourists though and it's easy to find someone speaking english.
Then, if you go to smaller cities, a large part of the population do not speak english, especially the eldest or the less educated people. I don't think it's because they're not willing to or they're just to proud to try. It's a bit like italian and spanish people. Movies are dubbed, the educational system didn't promote foreign languages in elementary school until very recently. However, efforts are made and most of the people I know (aged 20-30) are able to have a proper conversation in english.
But yes, I'd like a foreigner to try to be polite and say "bonjour" and "merci" or just ask "do you speak english?"

Most of the French are proud of their culture, museums, architecture, food ... and their Eiffel Tower. Rightly or wrongly, I don't know. But it does't mean we think France is the best country in the world (watch the news and tell me about it). And it doesn't mean we don't want to get to know someone from a different culture.


I've met many foreigners abroad who claimed they haven't got the chance to have a real discussion with local people in France.
It's the same thing anywhere in the world. Interactions don't happen by themselves. People already belong to social/cultural groups, have their own lives and don't make much efforts to integrate other people. Most of us would be glad to interract with more foreigners and tell them what it's really like to be a French person amongst the French.We don't bite.


PS : we do not wear stripped t-shirts riding a bike with a baguette under the arm and a beret on the head, we do not smell like garlic, we do not all have a moustache, women are not (so) hairy and shower regularly and there are other names besides Pierre and Françoise

PPS : I don't really get the France vs. USA thing.
Maybe we've tought it was ridiculous to throw wine away just because it was french or to call french fries "freedom fries" for political reasons, and most of us didn't agree with decisions taken in the last few years by the american government. Just as many americans did.
But... that's it.