The French; the detested people.

[On_the_trot]

When studying in France I remember my lecturer from my home university informing me that 70 something % of students from abroad who studied in France returned claiming that that they were francophobes. Now this opinion cannot be based on ignorance if these students in question have already lived in France. One finds francophobic websites cropping up at the minute because of Americans bitter about Chirac's refusal to participate in Iraq but putting that aside so many people express the view that they dislike French people because of their obnoxious, arrogant and most of all their very cold attitude. On visiting other nations one finds both pleasant and unpleasant people but is it possible that the entire French nation are swamped in this culture of unpleasantness? What does everyone else think? Please discuss

[jenky]

It's odd because the French are universally reviled it seems, yet having spent a lot of time there, I can honestly say I've seen no evidence of the character traits people hate so much. It's true that they often seem to take pleasure in watching people struggle with the language, but if you make the effort it often turns out that they speak English well and will help you if they can. I'm not sure how well the Americans cope with foreign languages abroad or how much effort they are prepared to make. Maybe their impression of the French stems from this?

[Bonzo 2000]

The Scots as a nation have a warm regard for the French as a nation, referring to the "Auld Alliance".  This appears to be a reciprocal feeling as we have found that Scots in France are regarded differently from the English. I'm afraid that my history is not good enough to elaborate on where the Auld Alliance was founded, but I'm pretty sure it comes from a time when the English were keen to wage war on their near neighbours.  However, I wouldnt regard a sweeping perception of the French as being arrogant garlic munching womanisers as being any more accurate than humourless Germans, hot-headed Italians or mean Scots.

[Alej]

I have two very good french friends who are nothing like that description, i like to wind them up though by telling them the view you and lots of other people express.  What can be said however is that they even have the view that the elderly of france are the most arrogant ignorant and rudest elderly in the world.  For example they usually push in queues etc.  maybe its for the elder generation that the rest of the french have been passed down this reputation.  I also agree with Jenky as lots of french i meet dont speak english, thats what i like about france though, why should they, if you go to their country learn and speak their language!

[WaldoMcFroog]

Bonzo - I think it's from the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite Rebellion. BPC was domiciled in France (I don't remember exactly, but I think he may actually have been French to all intents and purposes, but with Scottish ancestry).

 

 

[georgit79]

I am a France and French lover. Not only do I speak the language fluently ( I did French/Spanish at university) and find it the most gorgeous language on the planet, I also lived in Paris for 6 months in 2001. And I can state for the record that they were welcoming and friendly.

From the people I have met (and not just Parisians- I have met French people from all over the country and French islands), I just don't understand where this opinion comes from. They aren't cold, but warm, and ok, Parisians are slightly arrogant, but they're allowed to be- they live in Paris!

Personally I think our opinion of the French is based solely on politics and the fact that most of us are unwilling to try and speak their language. Why should they be expected to speak English?

[Quizmonster]

The Auld Alliance is a lot 'aulder' than the days of Bonnie Prince Charlie, preceding him by almost half a millennium! (Click http:/ /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Alliance for details, if interested.)

Re the actual question, the French "as a race" and the French "as individual people" seem to be two very different things. I've never actually met a French person I disliked...and I've met quite a few...but together they do the weirdest things. Why, for example, do their unions invariably block the Channel ports every time they have a dispute with their own government? They opted out of the Iraq situation purely and simply because their trading involvement with Saddam Hussein was far too lucrative. Basically, they are utterly self-seeking nationally but wonderful people individually. Strange.

[cheyenne]

when back in the seventies i use to hitch hike all around france.i met the good and the not so good,i had the same in germany.but this is the same in most countrys.but for me the dutch people were great.the only nation i found difficult were the spanish.

[ludwig]

I've met quite a few french people both here and in france and they've all been fine.

I think Bonnie Prince Charlie was Italian(ish) by the way, not french. There's a well known story/myth about one of his officers shouting 'Run you cowardly Italian' at him as made a 'tactical withdrawal' from the battle of Culloden.