Ugly Americans Hit Paris

What's this about? I hadn't heard this.

it's in Paris, FRANCE.

because it is paris, france. genius

I've been to France. I went to see where my grandfather faught against Germany, to save those people from speaking German instead of French.

They hate American's. Oh well I guess we can't expect them to love us because we saved there azz decades ago, but you would at least think they would give us a chance because we are say...people.

Talk about descrimination. Geez I met more friendly Germans than French people.

I've been to France too, you are right, they hate Americans but love Texans.

Italians and French do hate America and what they think we stand for. I have seen pictures of graffiti in Italy depicting USA=(nazi symbol)...they seem to have forgotten what we have done for them.

Fils de pute, Trou du cul, are some of their plesantries.

You know I guess that is the great thing about being some place like that. At least if I come home and someone says that, they at least may know what they are talking about.

The reason I asked is because they said Paris, Texas in the comment. I was just curious.

Some French people hate Americans ... erm... so what.. lots of Americans hate <insert here> ... but its a tiny minority.... The French or Italian people are hardly responsible for graffiti that a few idiots put up.

However; comments like those above are a reason why most French dislike RUDE Americans... who just shout at them in English and expect them to understand.

Many Amercians don't research differences in culture in europe and expect europeans to accept them as they are.... many of the American habits are just considered rude. Its a different culture... what is polite and rude are different but tourists who expect that everyone adapts to their (albeit accidental) rudeness are in for a shock...

gfp wrote:

Some French people hate Americans ... erm... so what.. lots of Americans hate <insert here> ... but its a tiny minority.... The French or Italian people are hardly responsible for graffiti that a few idiots put up.
However; comments like those above are a reason why most French dislike RUDE Americans... who just shout at them in English and expect them to understand.
Many Amercians don't research differences in culture in europe and expect europeans to accept them as they are.... many of the American habits are just considered rude. Its a different culture... what is polite and rude are different but tourists who expect that everyone adapts to their (albeit accidental) rudeness are in for a shock...

I agree. I have lived in Europe for over 5 years and unfortunately American tourists have a bad reputation here and they bring it on themselves. They are extremely loud, never go with the flow, and complain about everything because it is different.(Of course it is different! It's a whole other country!) The Europeans are very insulted by this behavior.
We (my family) have never had anyone be rude to us or treat us badly in France, or any other European country because we do our best to not stick out, dress appropriately, keep our voices quiet, learn to at least say please, and thank you in the country we are visiting etc...basic manners go along way!

I think Paris France is getting even with America by selling all the rich peolpe ugly exspensive cloths!

Out-of-Towner wrote:

What's this about? I hadn't heard this.

texas rocks wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree. I have lived in Europe for over 5 years and unfortunately American tourists have a bad reputation here and they bring it on themselves. They are extremely loud, never go with the flow, and complain about everything because it is different.(Of course it is different! It's a whole other country!) The Europeans are very insulted by this behavior.
We (my family) have never had anyone be rude to us or treat us badly in France, or any other European country because we do our best to not stick out, dress appropriately, keep our voices quiet, learn to at least say please, and thank you in the country we are visiting etc...basic manners go along way!

We went to France right after Christmas. Maybe they had some bad experiences with American's before we got there. But we didn't complain or stick out.

Also, I think when American's go to France, they go to Paris mainly. We were in another area. Maybe it is the difference between say a person coming from France into Dallas, as opposed to someone from France coming to somewhere like here.

Hmm wrote:

Also, I think when American's go to France, they go to Paris mainly. We were in another area. Maybe it is the difference between say a person coming from France into Dallas, as opposed to someone from France coming to somewhere like here.

Well also, Europeans idea of being friendly is very different than Americans, especially southern Americans. Europeans are pretty stand-offish and distant. They treat each other that way too, not just Americans. They aren't trying to be mean, but it is hard to explain...it's just a different mentality than what we are accustomed to. You know what I mean?

And I do think that the military does a good job at preparing Americans to go to the European contries, in regard to teaching the cultural differences. Things that are normal here, such as getting the check after you eat, is a normal part of American culture. It's not in Germany.

The differences in expectation that someone may not be prepared for could cause conflict.

I've been living in Paris since January and I can't wait to come home. I visited some countries in Europe where I could experience different cultures and I'm really shocked about how rude and impolite parisiens can be. It seems to me that they hate not only americans but all sorts of tourists. I'm wondering if they ever put in practice what they call "politesse"

texas rocks wrote:

<quoted text>
Well also, Europeans idea of being friendly is very different than Americans, especially southern Americans. Europeans are pretty stand-offish and distant. They treat each other that way too, not just Americans. They aren't trying to be mean, but it is hard to explain...it's just a different mentality than what we are accustomed to. You know what I mean?

Oh, boy do I ever know what you mean on that one. But I was prepared for that. There were some rude people where we went. I don't know why. I didn't take it personally, but it is kind scary being in a different country and sensing hostility, and you have no idea why.

I hope people keep that in mind when we have visitors like that.

Dolores Dolares wrote:

I'm really shocked about how rude and impolite parisiens can be.

Yes, impoliteness exist in Paris. So much that, in 2007, the city led a campaign to educate parisians on how to be friendly with tourists. Brochures were distributed and meetings held.

But remember that Paris doesn't represent the whole France. I know many French who are leaving the capital to other parts of the country because they can't stand the parisian attitude.

We went to Colmar. It was beautiful. Germany was so full of beautiful churches, and history. It was amazing.

Since I have been back, I met a man that fought in WWII as a German soldier. It was really cool to get his story.

It was kind of funny too, because he is kind of gruff, and most of the people around him didn't like him much. He said I reminded him of his daughter, and he carried on conversations with me, like he was talking to his daughter.

I think we get these bad ideas about people because of where they are from. Both ways. But deep down, cultural differences, and even Hitler aside, we have much in common.

Hmm wrote:

We went to Colmar. It was beautiful. Germany was so full of beautiful churches, and history. It was amazing.
Since I have been back, I met a man that fought in WWII as a German soldier. It was really cool to get his story.
It was kind of funny too, because he is kind of gruff, and most of the people around him didn't like him much. He said I reminded him of his daughter, and he carried on conversations with me, like he was talking to his daughter.
I think we get these bad ideas about people because of where they are from. Both ways. But deep down, cultural differences, and even Hitler aside, we have much in common.

I agree again! That is the neat thing about traveling. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was on a train in a remote part of Poland and of course, everyone is keeping to themselves. But there was this older gentelman sitting in my car, and when my daughter got out her collection of pins,(she had them on her Union Jack towel), this man was interested in her pins and started talking to us.(People also pretend they don't know english alot in Europe...did you notice that)..Anyway,turns out he was from Israel, but his wife is Polish. He can't get a visa to live in Poland, so he comes to see her and stays for three months or so, and then goes back to Israel for a bit. It was just so neat to sit and talk to him about our cultures and experiences. He was fascinating to listen to, and I will never forget meeting him and his sweet wife.