The French

[DaveMage]

You can also check out this site for some cultural basics on several countries:

http://www.windowontheworldinc.com/countryprofile/

Enjoy!

 

[wingsandsword]

-- I cannot believe it when I see American tourists who get lunch at the MacDonald rather than trying some French food, at least just to see the difference.

You're not the only one, I'm in the US and I can't believe how many people ignore local resturants wherever they go in favor of a McDonalds. I can only chalk it up to raw habit (and a little bit of fear of eating at a local resturant, because they have no idea what to expect).

 

[DaveMage]

You're not the only one, I'm in the US and I can't believe how many people ignore local resturants wherever they go in favor of a McDonalds. I can only chalk it up to raw habit (and a little bit of fear of eating at a local resturant, because they have no idea what to expect).

Many people like being in a "comfort zone" where they know what to expect - especially when it comes to food.

 

[Turanil]

Many people like being in a "comfort zone" where they know what to expect - especially when it comes to food.

That's true that the word "tourist" absolutely doesn't equate with "adventurer"...

 

[Gansk]

-- French are extremely critical about their own country, about themseleves, etc. while I think American on the contrary tend to be proud of their country and of themselves.

True, the French are critical of everything.

-- Another thing, Frenchies try to not tell how much money they make, contrary to many Americans (or so I believe). They would rather sob on how poor they are (being rich can be a sin in this country ).

Funny, I was asked point blank how much I made in France, but it was one of my relatives who asked, so I don't know what the typical etiquette is between acquaintances.

-- Despite the myth about it, I believe that there is no "French Lover" (at least I am not that one).

I don't know - my father's life reads like a tawdry romance novel. Once again, he could be a special case.

-- I cannot believe it when I see American tourists who get lunch at the MacDonald rather than trying some French food, at least just to see the difference.

Americans are scared of things that they can't identify, especially if it is covered in sauce.

-- I think I can spot (+5 bonus on the check) Americans tourists from their clothing fashion. I think it needs to be improved...

Anybody walking on the Champs Elysees in shorts - American.

-- Americans are probably more open to new ideas than the French. Maybe some Americans tend to be more naive, but we French tend to be more prejudiced and overly suspicious.

The French have a history and a culture that they want to preserve - the Americans could care less about that stuff.

-- And last but not least: Political Correctness, thanks God, has still not reached this country!! I hate this concept!

Amen!

 

[Turanil]

The retail industry in France is only recently starting to believe in the concept of the customer is always right.

I would say: only if they are willing to pay the right price. Otherwise why bother?

 

[Zappo]

A lot of this can actually apply to Europe in general. You could substitute French for Italian in the posts above, and most of them would still be correct. They don't contradict my experiences in other continental European countries, as well.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

One thing to remember: You have French people, and then you have people from Paris.



AR

 

[Gansk]

One thing to remember: You have French people, and then you have people from Paris.



AR

Very true.

 

[Uzumaki]

I stayed with a French family for 2 weeks in 2001. it was quite an experience, but fun.

-- French are extremely critical about their own country, about themseleves, etc. while I think American on the contrary tend to be proud of their country and of themselves.

Hehe. This is one thing I didn't encounter when I was in France. The family I stayed with were very proud of their country and culture and, above all, food. Hardly a meal went by when Mme. Lemasle didn't remark on how French produce didn't have any chemicals in it. They won't call you "pig-dogs" to your face but the stereotypical arrogance was there, albeit kind of on the sly.

-- I cannot believe it when I see American tourists who get lunch at the MacDonald rather than trying some French food, at least just to see the difference.

When I went touring Toulouse, the first place we stopped to eat was a Mickey D's. Though the daughter in the family was all crazy about their sundaes, so maybe that had something to do with it. I ate the food every chance I got. Even the moderately priced stuff was absolutely delicious. I still probably wouldn't eat tripe, though, even if it was fine French tripe.

-- I think I can spot (+5 bonus on the check) Americans tourists from their clothing fashion. I think it needs to be improved...

We must have gone to 100 clothing stores while I was in France. (I stayed in Toulouse, we vacationed in Cannes, made daytrips to Nice and Monaco, then went to Paris for a few days.) While I was in Paris, I could tell the Americans right away, too. I wonder if I stood out that much.