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It may be almost as stylish now to defend the French as it used to be to loathe them, but the truth is that the French are not hospitable to Americans . . .or anyone. Before I go any further, a crucial distinction must be made: French citizens in the service industry are undoubtedly among the most hospitable in the world, but it is the general public of France the people you encounter on the street, sit next to in restaurants, and wait with at the check-out counter who will treat you as though you are personally responsible for global warming. What would be unfair, though, is to say that the ill-mannered nature is biased towards Americans only. The French are rude to everyone; unless, that is, you speak French without a trace of an accent. Therein lies the key: the French love the French. . .and only the French!

I have been to France numerous times and I am by no means a typical American who is ignorant of foreign culture and custom. I am a genuinely congenial person and I do my utmost to disrespect no person or custom when I am a guest in another nation; yet, the French have been by far the least hospitable towards me. When traveling with a friend who asked directions to the Louvre from a beautifully clad mademoiselle, I witnessed her being completely ignored and then lied to by the second Parisian she approached. Lied to! Over the years, I have come to find that this is a favorite pastime of the French public, especially on the subway system.

Unlike in American cities (think of New York City here), Parisians will not bump into you or push you out of the way if you are clogging a sidewalk; instead, they will go far out of their way to avoid you completely if you look remotely "un-French." Leave your baseball caps, shorts, American flag t-shirts, and fanny packs at home if you do not want to be treated as though you are carrying a fatal, airborne disease (and if you actually still own a fanny pack, be ashamed . . .and dispose of it promptly). The French are masters of the delightfully snobbish insult of not only the cold shoulder, but purposeful and obvious avoidance.

Does this mean that Americans should stay out of France? Absolutely not! The French culture is exquisite and is by no means to be missed: incredible art, history, fashion, and food abound. Those in the service industry hotel staff, restaurant staff, shopkeepers will roll out the red carpet and give the royal treatment to every person, including an American, who has a euro to spend. Part of the beauty of France (especially Paris) is the quirky, arrogant, self-absorbed public, so go with this knowledge already in mind and enjoy the unrivaled splendor of the nation. The French have spent centuries perfecting the art of luxurious, fashionable living and they want to protect it from ignorant visitors . . .and who can blame them?! Be respectful, appreciate the nation and its unique people, and brush off a few glares (oh, and invest in a small map so you do not suffer defeat at the hands of the masters of the lying game!). And never take it personally: the attitude you will experience is not because you are an American, but just because you are not French.

Vive la France!

Learn more about this author, Brandon Schultz.
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