10/07/2009 / FRANCE
Image: "knbeyers" on Flickr.
French
tourists believe they have a superior knowledge. Unlike Spanish people, the French always think they know better. Once I was
giving a tour at the Baalbek
Temple and a woman began
insisting that my account of the historical ruins was wrong. She was convinced
that what she'd read in a French book was the correct story and continued to
argue with me until I refused to talk about it anymore.
I've mainly
worked with the average French tourist who's travelling on a low budget, so I
don't want to generalise. It is true, however, that overall they're not the most
agreeable people.
French
people spend a long time trying to get the price down. Much more than any other
nationality. We're used to it, because we don't put price tags on everything
like they do in the West, but sometimes it's too much. I've even had French
people trying to exchange their possessions for things. One of them offered his
binoculars for various objects in the shop. What on earth would I want with a
pair of binoculars? I don't even know how to use them!
Are French tourists the worst in Europe?
A survey released last week reveals that French tourists are the most hated European travellers. Tourism workers from Niger, Lebanon and Paris itself tell us about their experiences with French tourists - tight with money, arrogant, unable to hold their drink and always on the lookout for girls. Read more...
The survey, taken out by TNS Infratest for travel website Expedia.fr, quizzed employees in 40,000 hotels in Europe and North America on the behaviour of 27 nationalities when on holiday. The French were only outdone by two countries in terms of overall disagreeability - the Chinese came top of the worst, closely followed by the Indians. The French were blamed for being tight with their wallets, impolite, and unwilling to speak other languages, although they did fare well in being quiet, well dressed and tidy.
The most welcome tourists were the Japanese, who came top for the third consecutive year. Runners up were Canadians, Germans and Brits - who were voted second for (surprisingly), quietness and dress-sense. The notoriously noisy Americans were indeed top of the loud pack, but they were praised for their willingness to try the local language and tip generously, coming 11th overall.
LEBANON: “They constantly correct your French when you’re giving a speech”
Rania Wahab is a consultant at a tourism agency in Lebanon. She gives historical tours.
French
tourists believe they have a superior knowledge. Unlike Spanish people, the French always think they know better. Once I was
giving a tour at the Baalbek
Temple and a woman began
insisting that my account of the historical ruins was wrong. She was convinced
that what she'd read in a French book was the correct story and continued to
argue with me until I refused to talk about it anymore.
They also constantly correct your French when you're giving a speech. English or American people never correct my English when I'm speaking, but French people interrupt you every two minutes to tell you you've made a grammatical mistake or used the wrong word. It really ruins your confidence. Despite all this, I have to say that I respect the French for taking a real interest in history. You can't say that about every nationality."
FRANCE: “He wanted his money back because there was no indoor swimming pool – in midsummer!”
Nicolas is a French tour guide from Paris who has also worked as a holiday rep abroad.
I've mainly
worked with the average French tourist who's travelling on a low budget, so I
don't want to generalise. It is true, however, that overall they're not the most
agreeable people.
Many of them try to get their money back, sometimes in the most ridiculous ways. I remember one group in Tunisia. They'd spent a week in a four star hotel for only 1,500 francs [€230]. The hotel was by the sea and had a big outdoor pool. But at the end of the week, one of them asked for his money back because the indoor pool was closed. It was midsummer - what could he have wanted with an indoor pool?!
I've also noticed that the French have no qualms about making rude comments loudly. Once I had a group of both Indians and French people together. The French of course started making comments like ‘they're messy eaters,' and ‘they're good at popping them out aren't they' referring to the number of children the families had."
NIGER: French people spend a long time bartering, but they’re also the most interested in our lives”
Oumarou Ibrahim runs a shop selling handcrafted products in Niamey.
French
people spend a long time trying to get the price down. Much more than any other
nationality. We're used to it, because we don't put price tags on everything
like they do in the West, but sometimes it's too much. I've even had French
people trying to exchange their possessions for things. One of them offered his
binoculars for various objects in the shop. What on earth would I want with a
pair of binoculars? I don't even know how to use them!
That said, I do find the French the most interested people. I've been invited to France many times and also been offered help in commercialising my products there. Some of the French expats in Niamey come to the shop regularly when I get new products in. They even give me ideas for jewellery and new projects. The Germans might not barter, but neither do they take any interest in our lives."
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French vs US vs Britain
Submitted by Karen North-Hurst (not verified) on Sun, 09/08/2009 - 16:27.I am a U.S. American who loves both Britain and France and their people. The U.S. has a lot of ignorant, poorly educated, mannerless, loud, idiotic buffoons -- and so does every country on this planet. It is simply human nature.
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I don't like ignorant, poorly educated, mannerless, loud, idiotice buffoons here in the U.S. or anywhere else; in fact, I try to avoid them. If, however, they are unavoidable, I remain mannerly and non-committal, that is to say, I minimize interaction in a calm, distant manner and do not invite closer acquaintance by word or action. If the rude boors persist, I generally ask politely if they would be quieter so I can enjoy my own thoughts without intrusion. This often works, except with the worst offenders. The worst offenders get my "ugly American" comment, i.e., "your behavior and lack of manners are why so many countries hate Americans." That usually quells them, at least for a while.
Unregistered user
I can't speak for how the
Submitted by Recent visitor from the US (not verified) on Thu, 06/08/2009 - 16:49.I can't speak for how the French are as tourists, since I have not worked in that field for years, but I think that the French get a really bad rap as hosts.
I made my first trip to Paris a few weeks ago, and I was hesitant even to go at all because I had heard such awful things, all my life, about Parisians. But I did make the trip and I was amazed--and very pleased--at how kind people were.
More than once, total strangers helped me with things like Metro maps and directions. The staff at my small hotel were as gracious and hospitable as anyone could ever be. Even at the touristy places, people were at least polite. I did not meet anyone hateful--one or two grumps, of which we have plenty here in the U.S.--but never did I encounter the monumental rudeness that people are always talking about.
Generally speaking, you get back what you give. If you are polite and considerate in your dealings with other people, most will return the favor.
And the American above, who sounds like a knuckle-dragging right wing nut who listens to Rush all day, does not speak for me.
Unregistered user
It is the right of every
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 08/08/2009 - 05:01.It is the right of every tourist from every country to enjoy their vacation however they see fit. Whether its relaxing, having fun, meeting new people, taking in natural and cultural beauty, or being their grumpy old selves, they can spend their money however they see fit.
At the same time, I totally agree with the statement: "You get back what you give. If you are polite and considerate in your dealings with other people, most will return the favor."
I live in Washington DC and It is no bother to me when a Canadian couple stops me on the street to ask about a good place to eat, or a Chinese family wants their photo taken. Just today a group of rowdy Mexican teens didn't realize they had to change trains and missed a subway stop, I told them where they needed to go in my worst Spanish translation ever. We all laughed, but they were forever thankful. Living in a city that sees its share of tourist, you have to keep reminding yourself that they are tourist, they will stand out! And believe me, Americans notice more than anyone else how other Americans act on vacation.
You should have fun on your vacation, you pay good money to do so... but remember to leave all your worries and dismal attitude at home, otherwise why vacation at all?
And for the record, the French are quite pleasant... from French-Africans to Parisians, never meet a mean one yet.
Unregistered user
french tourists
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 04/08/2009 - 18:48.I hosted A french kid who was a tourist with other people.
The truth is that sometimes they dont want to speak english, they speak it when they feel like it. They try even though they dont understand.
When you try speaking them in french they just look away if they notice your accent. They can be rude. I was completely ignored when i tryed speaking to them.
Unregistered user
french tourists
Submitted by Unregistered user on Tue, 21/07/2009 - 02:50.Why do you have to comment on this survey by comparing the French to the British? The survey is a survey, the French came whatever, what do the British have to do with it?
You will also find that the French come top of the league of the most unhelpful, arrogant and rude nation within their own country, as far as tourists are concerned.
I'm British but i'm trying my hardest to compete with you in the rude stakes.
Give me a French waiter any day over some grinning American idiot robot.
Stay as you are because that's why I and 1/4 million Brits want to be you.
Unregistered user
"I'm British but i'm trying
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 02/08/2009 - 08:58."I'm British but i'm trying my hardest to compete with you in the rude stakes.
Give me a French waiter any day over some grinning American idiot robot.
Stay as you are because that's why I and 1/4 million Brits want to be you."
Yes because if you go to the U.S with this attitude you would surely get your crapy british tooth knocked out
Unregistered user
Tourists in France
Submitted by Peter Vaughan (not verified) on Tue, 14/07/2009 - 10:38.In my view those Brits in France love the place and wish that back home was as well mannered. Those Brits in France want to be there, and have probably paid a lot to get there, and want to keep France to themselves. Brits going elsewhere with their tatoos and string vests can carry on and spoil life for all around them, but please leave La Belle alone for for us.
Unregistered user
Since when did Brits wear
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 14/07/2009 - 13:10.Since when did Brits wear string vests? 1950?!!
I agree that Brits love lots of things about France, and France loves the rolling hills and the music scene in the UK too. But we're neighbours and long-time allies, we have to bicker sometimes. Don't take it all too seriously.
Unregistered user
British are Worse...
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 13/07/2009 - 20:13.I think the French are bad hosts but not that bad tourists...I'm British and i've seen my countrymen in Ibiza etc..... drinking, fighting and vomiting......I would be very surprised to see the same 'lad' culture from the French....
Unregistered user
French Tourists
Submitted by Richard McGarry (not verified) on Mon, 13/07/2009 - 11:38.Having lived in several countries,S.Africa/Ireland/UK/USA and now France for the last 4 years I believe I have a good knowledge of people.I choose to live and lately work in France. Paris and Parisians like most major cities of the world should not be taken as an indication of the rest of the country. Educated,respectfull,considerate and friendly are how I would describe the French people that I have met and socialised with. With little or no French so far(I am trying to learn)I have received help and patience but no ridicule.
It has been my experience that there are both poor and good examples of humanity in all nationalities and nations should not be judged on the performance of a few.
The French do have a lot to be proud of and the way of life here is just one of them. Possibly what needs to be done before issuing Passports to people the world over is to send them on a training course and teach them some manners,all nationalities could benefit.
Unregistered user
I totally agree with you -
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 06/08/2009 - 15:40.I totally agree with you - people always assume Londoners here represent the whole of the British population.
I love French people, they are some of the kindest and friendliest peopleI have ever met.
Unregistered user
French tourists no wanted in America.
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 13/07/2009 - 04:20.Americans have not forgotten how our countrymen and women, have been badly treated by the French for many years.
Bush is gone, and Obama is President! But the French treated all Americans so badly, that they had Canadian flags on their backbacks, and identified themselves as such to avoid stress or worse. Our TV comediens saturated the airways with anti-French jokes! And that hatred remains.
During D-Day commemorations, Obama ignored the Sarkozy invitation, and spent the weekend touring Paris with only his wife and daughters. Suffice it to say that it will be many years before French tourists are welcome in America.
Americans who want to absorb "French culture", can save money and go North to Quebec!
So French tourists, save your money and stay out of our country.
God Bless America!
Unregistered user
This guy doesn't speak for
Submitted by Recent visitor from the US (not verified) on Thu, 06/08/2009 - 16:54.This guy doesn't speak for me.
Vive la France!
Unregistered user
J'aime les Francais
Submitted by Jeff_v_b (not verified) on Thu, 30/07/2009 - 00:57.Please pardon my rude U.S. counterpart, who in all likelihood has never even met a French person, and obviously has no tact or manners. I've been to Paris with an open mind, some decent manners, and my best effort at French; and have rarely met a rude French person. I think the French are lovely.
This anti-French stuff is an exercise in piling on by cranky folks who become at least as rude as they claim the French are, while telling you so. Most of these people still can't even admit that the French were right not to join us in our Iraq War boondoggle.
Unregistered user
"I've been to Paris with an
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 02/08/2009 - 09:00."I've been to Paris with an open mind"
LOL another dumb American whos gone to paris and thinks he has been to France.
Unregistered user
You are retarded! I live
Submitted by Unregistered user on Tue, 21/07/2009 - 21:17.You are retarded!
I live here in America and you don NOT speak for me
Unregistered user
French Tourists response
Submitted by Brad Zerkel (not verified) on Fri, 17/07/2009 - 20:19.As an embarassed American I find it hard to believe the comments made above. Pure ignorance on the part of Americans cause idiots to make statements that are Nationalistic in Nature..America needs to get over the fact that the World is not just OUR's !!But I could understand if the French hated us for attitudes like the above....I Love France, their Culture and History and yes especially the people I have chatted with...It's these Nationalist viewpoints by Americans who don't read their history books (The French were big supporters of our cause against the British). France more than any country represents TRUE Democracy...Thank God for the French Revolution!! (I celebrated Bastille day in my office Cubicle festively!)
And for the right wingers who fear Socialism..Social Democracy works...France's governmant actually listens to it's people...
I'd ex pat there in a heartbeat....Don't be dissin' what you clearly don't understand...
Unregistered user
If you hate your own country
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 02/08/2009 - 20:06.If you hate your own country which has given you everything you have please dont think we French will want you,you lack both respect for yourself AND your own country,we have enough anti Americanism here we dont need your hatrid aswell
Unregistered user
If you hate your own country
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Fri, 07/08/2009 - 16:58.Not sure if your comments were addressed to me ...
I don't hate my own country, but I do hate the ignorance portrayed by some of the comments made by American Right Wing Nationalists that believe WWII was only a "America helping the French" deal...Lest we forget many many French died in WWII, and it was not just the Americans that sacrificed on D-day
I think the French have been around much longer than the USA and we could take some lessons in social democracy,but don't mistake that for sisdain for my country...I can hate the politics and still love the country...There is no panacea, Ignorance and narrow mindedness exist all over the World..
AS for the French not wanting anyone that hates their own country, understandable..Perhaps I expressed my views too passionately and not directly at the politics and policies of the USA. It's a great country for sure, but having lived here all my life and watching it's values diminish as Capitalist Greed Increases..I won't apologize for that.
Money before people is wrong anywhere in the world!
Unregistered user
The revolutuion.
Submitted by Charles Smyth (not verified) on Mon, 13/07/2009 - 18:12.If it hadn't been for France, the Founding Fathers would have been defeated, in their fight against the British.
Unregistered user
What a pathetic,
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 13/07/2009 - 12:02.What a pathetic, self-centred and self-righteous comment! Even the French couldn't have done better here.
For your information, America refers to a whole continent, not just your own country! So may God (if he exists) equally bless Mexico and Peru. That said, I do think that behind the rivalries and little disputes we have, the French love the US, especially more so now that Obama is president. True, we hated Bush, questioned his legitimacy, as he was elected in really dubious circumstances, and his values were the opposite of what most Europeans stand for. In terms of being ill-treated, I think Americans (or citizens of the United States, to be correct) gave us a good share of humiliation with their "freedom fries" and their pouring French wine in the gutters in front of cameras. And all that because we dared to disagree to take part on war based on fabricated evidence to serve the interests of some big lobbies and companies. As much as I like the US, you should also look more closely at what your 'blessed' country has done abroad recently (like supporting dictatorships in South America, for example), like the French are struggling to get over the Algerian war.
As for tourists, I have lived in both the US and the UK for a few years now, and although I have been sometimes embarrassed by rude French people, I can't say they were necessarily worse than any other nation. Perhaps your impression of the French is based on what you see on TV, judging from your comment: "Americans who want to absorb "French culture", can save money and go North to Quebec!" Sure, the French and the Quebecquois are the same. After all, the US is the same as England, isn't it? I think you need to go out and meet real French people to move beyond your prejudice before indulging yourself in such ludicrous patriotism.
Unregistered user
Don't worry, we don't
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 13/07/2009 - 10:04.Don't worry, we don't bite.
You can turn off Fox news and spend good time with us here. You will see that we REALLY don't care you are American or whatever. Just don't behave like you are on a conquered land...
Unregistered user
We never have really been
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 13/07/2009 - 09:46.We never have really been interested anyway...And US inferiority complex with France is really getting old.
We won the battle of Yorktown for you and we supplied you a navy force you didn't have for your independance. You would never have make it and if you pretend to contrary you are really arrogant (you lost to Canada a few years later without our help).
You desserve gratitude to France forever.
And this is the same for the French with DDAY heroes.
But we do the highest celebration every year while you revise your history and deny the fact that one day you were very weak and you needed help of a stronger one.
And as long as it will go, we won't go see you and we will continue to treat you with despise (because it seems you can't stop to come...).
I think you're a lot less welcome in Quebec than in France...
Unregistered user
american here,
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sun, 12/07/2009 - 23:59.greetings from the states. i worked for a moderatly priced a hotel in Seattle and have served people from many countries. in my experience French people are no more rude, drunk, or, for that matter, gramatically meticulous then Americans, Chinese or Palestinians. in fact, for the most part the French seem to be not as rowdy as we are. i have noticed a tendancy to not tip well, but i have never been there and i have heard that in France, citezens tip less then we do in general. (is this true?)
Unregistered user
french tourist
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 14/07/2009 - 00:21.We don't tip so much in France because the tip is generally include in the check...so i don't want to excuse everybody with my comments but it can be confusing when you go abroad. It personaly happened to me.
Unregistered user
french don't tip
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Thu, 16/07/2009 - 08:30.I have friends from France that visited us in San Francisco and we were paying their meals at restaurants. After the fifth invite they finally decided to invite us for one meal. We thought that they were going to tip appropriately 15-20% however I was embarrassed three weeks later when my husband and I went to dine at the same restaurant, the waitress we know stated that our friends had only left $1.00 for an $80.00 meal. Several weeks ago they called that they are coming back to visit and are bringing other family members with them. I don't know if I should continue paying all their meals or explain tipping rules. Although when we travel to France or anywhere else in Europe, we always read up on customs of the Country we travel to. By the way...in France we end up paying for their meals too, it seems they find ways to end up in the bathroom when the check comes. They are nice people but we may have to leave on vacation when they come.
Unregistered user
why french don t tip as well !!!!!
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Mon, 27/07/2009 - 09:04.well in fact it s really easy to understand why french don t tip as well .it s simply because the client are not person in charge to pay the waiter/waitress it s the responsibility of the company to do that !!! . if USA and over country accept to pay waiter and waitress under the minimum it s mean no respect for the value of the work they provide so please stop to complain about tourist french because they don t tip well and start to think about the company under pay the waiter waitress
Now u have something real to complain about .
Unregistered user
so what
Submitted by LouisLeGrand (not verified) on Sun, 12/07/2009 - 22:16.the french should not make anything of this at all
the majority of travelers are european whites going around the world so the worst will have to be a white ethnicity
it is true that english is the world language and the french are not english
this will naturally make relations more difficult
the french are just the easiest to say are bad, society allows the french to be criticized, other groups are protected
if the french were really so terrible
the world would not come to france
french civilization is the envy of the world
i was just watching the tour on tv
france and california are the most similar and most envious places
that will always bring benefits and detriments
Unregistered user
tourists
Submitted by Unregistered user joseph walker (not verified) on Sun, 12/07/2009 - 21:19.Depending on what you do,if you are interested in the culture ,or its historial sites,i thought france xcels itself,i admired all the places i saw,if you go to just get drunk and not interested in culture of the country you are visiting,that is the person problem,if you go with an attitude problem ,then you will get the same response,end of story.
Unregistered user
So if I sum up the
Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Sat, 11/07/2009 - 17:50.So if I sum up the comments:
The french are the worst tourist because:
- They don't speak english.
- They don't consider anglo-saxon countries as the center of the world.
- And when you explain them this, they dare to disagree (dear lord!).
And that is why the Anglo-saxon consider us as...arrogant...okeeeey :P.
Also we can't ask them to speak French because only 50 countries are using this language (!!!?)....including the most demography dynamic region in the world...Nah definitely a dead language...
Chinese mandarin would be more appropriate, that is why each Anglo-saxon master this language...
Sorry French sarcasm, please add this to the list :P.
Unregistered user