Q & A

Subject: Unfriendliness of the French people.

Question: I will graduate in May of 2004 and, as a young francophile (so far), plan on traveling to France for my senior trip. It will only be my mother and me, but we have some concern for the friendliness of the French people. Disappointingly, we've heard from friends who have gone to Paris of the rudeness of the Parisians and the French. Now, granted, we won't try to hold very many conversations with anyone else, but it's always good to know that we can comfortably. One friend said that if we speak to them in French, they don't seem as distraught as if we were to speak to them in English. Do you have any suggestions, comments or comforting news? I've only heard discouraging words. Please help us out! Thanks =)

Answer: My first time in France I spoke very limited French, that is just about nothing! I never had anyone give me a hard time. The only person that did give me any problems was a fellow American that felt I was not making enough of an effort to speak French. He was right I might add.
I have to say that heard much the some thing before I went, mostly from people that had gone to France years before. I think the unfriendliness of the French/Parisians is an old wise tale, like London fog.
I can't assure you that you wont find an unfriendly person in France, as everybody can have a bad day, but this not a problem that you should worry about. Enjoy your trip!
See http://www.americansinfrance.net/DailyLife/NoFrench.cfm it should help you. Jeff