18 of 20

Yes

Write now Article Tools

I stayed in Paris for two months attending an intensive language school. I had been warned the French would be rude yet I never experienced it. Actually I experienced the opposite.

Although I did nothing to fit in and dressed as I did at home in Montana, I was stopped on a daily basis by a Parisian asking for directions. Once I opened my mouth and tried to answer, they realized I was not French and politely thanked me for my efforts.

My son and I wanted to go see Normandy. As my navigational skills were not the best I got us lost quite often. In Normandy we were on a bus and missed our stop. At the end of the run the bus driver, called in the address of our hotel to his dispatch and made a point when we got to the right spot to direct us to the correct building.

Over and over I had wonderful experiences. What I discovered was a two-fold phenomenon. One, if I went into a shop and tried to speak French I was most often answered in English. This was either a testament to my horrible French or the fact that the French are not as rude as portrayed. Secondly having my nine-year-old son with me garnered a lot of respect.

As I have traveled extensively and speak five languages, it doesn't matter where you are in the world, speaking the native tongue of the country you are visiting is valuable beyond measure. It doesn't matter how you slaughter the language, you are still given respect for trying.

Those who arrogantly expect the world to speak their language are the people who run into trouble. I have seen it too many times to count. When we went to see Notre Dame, I was so disgusted by the amount of tourist groups that were rude and plain obnoxious, I left. They were from all over the world, not just Americans.

As an individual I believe you are treated with more respect than a horde of tourists on a marathon dash to see as much as they can in 45 minutes. A mob mentality is created in a bus situation that is negative for everyone.

Then there is the old joke; What do you call a person who speaks three languages?Trilingual. What do you call a person who speaks two languages?.Bilingual. What do you call a person who speaks one language?..American.

Geographically the United States has not had an overwhelming need to learn more than one language. Compared to Europe where the neighboring countries are so close, economically it has been important to speak more than one language. These circumstances lead foreigners to believe Americans are snobs who believe everyone should speak English.

Are the French intentionally ruder to American's than other nationalities? I don't think so. Common courtesy, an attempt at speaking the language of the country you are visiting and avoiding the mob mentality will allow you enjoy your experience no matter what country you are visiting.

Learn more about this author, Baja Raquel.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Are the French hospitable to American tourists??
We want to hear your view. Write now!