5 MAJORLY WRONG MYTHS ABOUT FRENCH PEOPLE + the actual TRUTH!

Merci !

Thanks for the one about French people speaking English. My wife an I moved to France 18 months ago. We speak a little French and find that sometimes some people here seem to not speak english until we hit the limits of our French; then they chime in with some English to be helpful. They invariably apologize for their English, even when it is better than our French. I love the French; they are like New York City people (where I am from): direct, no nonsense, funny, helpful when you need it, and leave you alone when you don't.

In my limited experience as an American who has visited France just once, a small knowledge of French and modest effort to conform to local customs get a very positive reaction from the French. Even in Paris, even during the major summer vacation period.

I moved to Nice in December. My French is pitiful and I am starting with a tutor next month. The French I have encountered have been so kind and gracious to me as I struggle to acclimate. So happy I made the decision to move here. They do appreciate that I am making the effort to speak French. If anyone has been rude to me here, it has been other Americans.

I trust your channel more than any other re France because you clearly understand that people all over the world are just trying to live their lives as best they can, and for the most part do not behave purposefully to upset others. Complainers need to remember that when they point a finger at someone else, there are three more and a thumb pointing back at themselves.

The Francophobia has its roots in England and in its centuries of conflict with France. Bigoted stereotypes and calumny are the norm for the French in this tradition. This then is amplified in the closed and narrow world referred to today as the ‘Anglosphere’ - the media/thought-world echo chambre of the UK, US, Australia, NZ and Canada. Sweeping and damning generalizations that would never be tolerated toward other groups of people or nations are freely applied to the French, without justification, evidence or even experience. The Anglosphere entourage can be counted upon to snicker and nod at the tropes and denunciations; things they would never support for other groups of people. It a good example of Anglosphere group-think; there are many others.

I'm not particularly well travelled, but I've been to most of the states in the USA, Also been to Mexico, Canada, Venezuela, Iceland, Amsterdam, Paris, Lisbon and Porto and I've noticed that people are people no matter where you are.

Although it has been 30 years since I lived in France, I agree 100% with this video. The people in France are just as diverse as any community in America. Personally I think the French treat visiting Americans better than Americans treat visitors from other countries. If French behavior is rude, then Americans are in real trouble.

I just moved from NorCal to Strasbourg 2 months ago. I find the French, so far, to be very polite and most are very kind and helpful. There may be a generational gap as I think the older French seem to be a bit more kind. Whereas the kids are just interested in their phones just like anywhere else and don't bother with the random "bounjours" when walking past. As for them speaking English I find that the French are a bit shy about their level of English. When I ask a French person if they speak English, most will say "a little". But, for most, as it turns out, it's really a lot!

I have a lovely French neighbor who loves to chat with me. It’s all in French and she helps me along the way. Yesterday, she saw me and complemented my flowered shirt and then told me this-she said she so appreciated me speaking French. She thought the Americans were better at trying where the people from England don’t try as much. I found this funny as the English in my village don’t really try where as the fewer Americans make the effort to speak French.

I like your videos!!! I am a French who immigrated in Canada (the English part first) 26 years ago, and I can tell you my English was bad... I was ready to be a tourist (hotels, taxi, airports...). With time, I became fluent to the point that I currently work in both languages with no issue. Food has been one of the most difficult adaptations I had to go through but hey, here I am... still in Canada! I discovered food and wines from all around the world that were not available in France, As for wine knowledge, there are 2 kinds of wines: the wines I like, and the ones I don't! Keep on the great job!

Depending on how the tourist aproaches me… If he chips in, speaking in English and not even excusing himself for not speaking french and disturbing me.. I will definitely pretend I don’t speak English.. those are just the rude tourists.. most would aproach you saying “excuse me, do you speak English?” Which is more or less the phrase I would use while visiting a foreign non english (or any other language I speak) country. I would also try to insert words from their language as a token of effort. You are the oddball… you are the one asking for a favour on someone else’s pitch. Don’t make me feel like I owe you something and that I’m in the obligation to be an english speaker on my turf.

I've found that most Europeans have the wonderful ability to separate a people from the politics of their country (unlike ... most Americans!)

I've lived in France for 13 months now and I have never gotten the sense that anyone here dislikes Americans.

Hello Diane, fr 🇨🇦. We have visited France only twice for a couple of weeks each time. I speak very rudimentary French, just a couple of university conversational classes and it was many many decades ago. I certainly was hesitant to try to ask a question much less try to engage in a conversation. We however found almost all French people we encountered were so kind and even when we couldn’t communicate with many words they went out of their way to help where they could. I know we only visited as tourists and that in itself is a small group of people even in France, but both my husband and I were made to feel” at home” in this country. We are hoping to still be able to make a few more visits but there is a big part of our personalities that somehow seems to fit this culture. I know , I know, it’s no perfect culture and has all its own challenges, like bureaucracy and other things but somehow, this couple of old folks who had never travelled before in our lives, made it across the Atlantic, and fell in love with the French people and its culture. Thank you for your video.

You’re very kind- I love the way you’re not afraid to tackle people’s misconceptions! 😊

I’m Canadian and have been living in France for several years. People will sometimes assume I’m American if they’re not super familiar with the differences between the two accents, but as soon as I say I’m Canadian rather than American, their whole demeanour will change and they will suddenly become extremely friendly. They weren’t rude when they assumed I was American, but they were far, far more friendly after realizing I was Canadian instead! So I agree they don’t hate Americans, but they like Canadians more. Same with Irish vs English. My colleague is Irish, and people will become much friendlier once they learn she’s Irish and not English. They weren’t mean or anything before, but they just increase their niceness a lot!

I have to admit it... I already pretended not to speak English when somebody didn't say the magic word: "bonjour"... 😳😢🤭

I went to Paris for the first time last year. I found the French to be so kind and fun, even with my very limited ability to speak the language. I stayed in an Airbnb flat that was very small, but comfortable. I enjoyed myself so much that I am going back again this July. When I went to Italy, the people I rented a flat from didn't speak a word of English. We used a translator app to communicate.

The mythical bidet! There was one in the bathroom when I was a child. This was a house built in the 70's. My mum said it was to wash our feet and I only found out their real purpose many years later. I think bidets went out of fashion some time in the 80's. Today, you don't even have bathtubs, only showers in modern bathrooms. However, these showers come with a hose and a shower head which enables you to reach your private parts from different angles, unlike in American showers...