<p>I have been to Paris in 05, and in 07 at Thanksgiving (as well as plenty of times in the 1980s). I do not find this to be the case at all, if you remember that Paris is a large city, in a culturally different mindset. </p>
<p>Read the book "French or Foe" by Polly Platt. It will give you a great deal of insight into the cultural variations. France is an affiliation culture, which means that the people are not immediately open and welcoming of strangers. That said, I found - particularly in 07 - people to be increasingly more customer service oriented and willing to accomodate, certainly more so than had been my experience in the 1980s. </p>
<p>I have found that due to its excellent metro system (that includes maps) and bus system, Paris is very easy to navigate -- even for someone like me with no sense of direction. Sometimes when I simply looked baffled, French people offered to help me. </p>
<p>It's also a very safe city. I saw elderly women -- expensively dressed, with large diamond rings -- alone on subways as late as midnight. I also would take solo 15-20 min. walks myself from my apartment, which was near the Pompideu Center (an amazing modern art gallery. Ya gotta see it!) to watch the sunset (which occurs in early summer around 10:30 or 11 p.m. ) at Notre Dame and then to enjoy the crowds at the Left Bank. </p>
<p>The only "problems" that I experienced were occasionally having men politely try to flirt with me. Considering I was in my 50s, those men weren't problems to me! The French really like women of all ages, and their flirting is flattering, not obnoxious or frightening.</p>
<p>Only real problems to watch out for are pickpockets particularly on the Left Bank and in the busiest metro stations. Not a good idea either to take public transportation into the city right after flying in from the U.S. because there's a good chance you'll be too jet lagged to watch your belongings. Some people have lost laptops that way. Snoozing while your laptop or suitcase is on the floor or rack isn't a good idea.</p>
<p>I don't think you have much to worry about at all. I've travelled to France several times, making extended visits to Paris, Strasbourg and Provence. In all my time in France I've yet to have encountered any rudeness or hostlity because I am an American. I think it's safe to say that I've encountered more anti-American sentiment on US college campuses than I have in France. As for anti-American government sentiment there's not much difference between cafe chatter in the 11th arrondissement and conversation at Starbucks in New Haven.</p>
<p>That said, there are certain things you might consider doing to help insure that you are a welcome guest. As Northstarmom notes, the French are not impressed with loud, boisterous, "in-your-face" behavior. Americans do have a reputation for loudness (as do the Germans) that is not entirely undeserved. Learning some French is also advisable, although I agree with Northstarmom that many waitstaff in the larger cities will instantly take you for an English speaker and will reply in English. My French is pretty deplorable, but I have always made it a point to initiate conversations in French. </p>
<p>Another common criticism of Americans is that they dress sloppily and inappropriately -- wearing a jogging suit, for example, to breakfast. This criticism is generally leveled at adults rather than students. Parisians, in particular, expect adults to dress like adults. From what I've seen, American and European students dress in pretty similar ways, so this shouldn't be an issue for those under 25. </p>
<p>A good source of information about "fitting in" among the French and other Europeans are the message boards at Fodors.com. They have a lot of useful advice and some of the best comedy -- not always intentional -- on the internet.</p>
<p>Funny to read all this stuff about the French. I think being polite and respectful as a visitor is what everyone should do, in any country. Besides the average French person actually loves the Americans! Maybe a little intimidated by them. The best defense is offense -- sometimes.</p>
<p>However, French waiters are famous for being unwelcoming. They have nothing against the Americans -- they treat everyone badly, including the French! Actually you can even enjoy this.</p>
<p>Make an effort to speak French with them (with a heavy American accent), they will just melt and go out of their way to help you. They will even try their English on you -- just don't laugh at their ridiculous accent.</p>
<p>I have a reason to allow myself to say all this -- you probablly guessed it.</p>
<p>" Here's a solution... learn some French. You'll be fine with "Bonjour" and "Ou est le metro?" (Yes, I know I'm missing the accents.) " </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. When I visited France, it was part of a multi-European country trip. I was there ( France ) for two days. It was not a trip dedicated to an exclusive tour of France.</p>
<p>I visited 7 countries in that trip.
I attempted a greeting in a few of those countries.</p>
<p>Given that the trip was rather short notice , it was hard to learn so many languages, or even phrases in each language.</p>
<p>I am guilty as charged... I exploited the fact that English was a universal language.. I was even pleased with the way I was greeted and sometimes even approached by the Europeans I came across because I am American , everywhere but France.</p>
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However, yelling at people in English -- as if loudness will make them understand-- and not giving courtesies like "hello," "thank-you," are considered very rude and the French respond accordingly.
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<p>Gosh Northstarmom you got it wrong that's why it does not work. You have to speak in English very LOUDLY aaaannnnddddd vveeerrrryyyy slllooowwwwlllyyy to make people understand.</p>
<p>I have too ^^^
I work in the tourism industry. With the influx our European tourists coming her with the weak dollar, it has become an amazing feat to deal with those who do not speak English.
Still, we manage to communicate just fine.</p>
<p>I certainly do not judge anyone who do not know our language..Russians are the first to come to mind. They usually have a child to do the talking and we are happy for the banter. Wonderful experience for us all. I imagine they are vulnerable to being ripped off by coming across the wrong people, but we are amused by the challenge...not offended by it</p>
<p>Last summer I went to France on a student exchange trip and my host family really liked Americans. Like others have said, try to speak their language(after all, you're in their country) and be as friendly and courteous as possible. Out of all the European countries I visited last summer I thought the French were the nicest people I had encountered. Just remember, not everyone is going to be nice; some people may have their bad days (don't think just because one person is rude or mean, the rest of their country is too).
My host family said they liked how hard working Americans are and how anyone can achieve the "American Dream." Although, they don't like Bush but they did think Obama and Hillary were good candidates. They also said they thought all Americans were obese but that I proved them wrong. lol</p>