tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post273922458524556539..comments2023-03-26T00:55:12.942+01:00Comments on So you wanna (or gotta) move to France: Are the French friendly?Harvey in Francehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05992466341985953844noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post-50413460051764065982013-07-23T18:45:44.151+02:002013-07-23T18:45:44.151+02:00> They appreciate the effort and are unlikely t...> They appreciate the effort and are unlikely to make fun of you.<br /><br />Mostly my experience, except for those who love to imitate my horrible accent. Especially words like "structure". AVEC33https://www.blogger.com/profile/00354263726472477783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post-17012957358853533112013-07-23T06:17:03.194+02:002013-07-23T06:17:03.194+02:00There is that funny miconception "wanting you...There is that funny miconception "wanting you to speak French". The point to that is that many English and Americans expect everybody in France to understand what they say in English. If they see you trying to speak their language even if you're making some mistakes, is a huge gesture. They appreciate the effort and are unlikely to make fun of you.Milou Singnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post-68460387403767595642012-03-29T16:17:58.052+02:002012-03-29T16:17:58.052+02:00My favorite story of French hospitality occurred w...My favorite story of French hospitality occurred when I was visiting Paris with a friend and her 2 young boys several years ago. A little old woman in a beret and Hermes scarf stopped us on the street in front of Notre Dame, complemented the younger of the boys on his appearance and asked if he was obeying his mother, and then proceeded to sing the entire Marseilles to us. Then she said bonjour and wandered off down the street. Incroyable!La Truitnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post-47931729261666418822012-03-27T19:29:31.716+02:002012-03-27T19:29:31.716+02:00The French seem better able to distinguish America...The French seem better able to distinguish Americans and American politics than Americans. They can love the one, while detesting the other.Harvey in Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992466341985953844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post-79638766835325659292012-03-27T19:27:56.048+02:002012-03-27T19:27:56.048+02:00What I've read about Paris suggests to me that...What I've read about Paris suggests to me that it's a lot like New York, friendliness-wise (if that's a word), and you can have both lovely and miserable times in Paris just like in NYC.Harvey in Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05992466341985953844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post-46900540855375870752012-03-27T10:20:01.215+02:002012-03-27T10:20:01.215+02:00I have found the French to be very friendly as a r...I have found the French to be very friendly as a rule. There are always those that are not and one must just discount that experience! Yes, the French can be rude. I've witnessed it between themselves; especially in Paris. I usually get a response to my "bonjour," and sometimes a smile.<br />I also have experienced a "thank you" for our involvement in WWII. That is powerful!Elainenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post-40817366918491759262012-03-20T16:59:49.603+01:002012-03-20T16:59:49.603+01:00When I first started coming to France decades ago,...When I first started coming to France decades ago, I, too, met older people who were pro-American because of our role in the world wars. Now, I find that especially younger people who have travelled to the States, even if they are not particularly pro-American, are friendly because they appreciate the kindness they experienced as strangers in our country.Lynne Berniernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post-68132075363465739572012-03-19T01:30:17.228+01:002012-03-19T01:30:17.228+01:00I have regularly had French people come up to me t...I have regularly had French people come up to me to thank the Americans for having stepped in during the two world wars. They remain grateful years later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5826640292873276940.post-47193028872396285542012-03-18T18:02:49.622+01:002012-03-18T18:02:49.622+01:00The only time I've ever felt I'd "ste...The only time I've ever felt I'd "stepped in it" with the French is when I mis-understood a ticket handler behind a metro office window and handed over a large bill, rather than change. She was pissed. I can't blame her. My mistake.<br /><br />OTOH, my wife and I have had nothing be wonderful experiences with shop owners/workers, concert goers, and other folk who regularly live in Paris.<br /><br />So, yes, I agree; YMWVChristopher Mark Perezhttp://beinginparisfrance.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com