French get a rude French awakening

Washington Times ^ | Wednesday, October 13, 2004 | By Kim Willsher

[JohnHuang2]

PARIS — The French are arrogant, rude and surly to foreign visitors, said a leading French politician behind a scathing report on how the Gallic welcome leaves much to be desired. Bernard Plasait, a member of France's upper house of parliament, has concluded what millions of visitors have known for years. "Our bad image in this area, the arrogance we are accused of, our refusal to speak foreign languages, the sense we give that it's a great honor to visit us are among the ugly facts of which we should not be proud," reads the first paragraph of Mr. Plasait's report, which was commissioned by the government.

[quantim]

"Let them run naked." - Teresa Heinz-Kerry

[Boiler Plate]

Not only does suck to be French, now they know everyone else knows.

[glasseye]

"Our bad image in this area, the arrogance we are accused of, our refusal to speak foreign languages, the sense we give that it's a great honor to visit us are among the ugly facts of which we should not be proud,"

Well Duh.......

[Torie]

The French government has been trying to do this for aboutg 40 years now (per remembering what my Dad said), without much success. One can enjoy France, but it takes some rudimentary knowledge of the language, and an ability to adjust. It also helps to get away from Paris.

[Dan(9698)]

One of the problems is: When the tourists go home, the French have to stay there.

That would make anyone surley.

[mlocher]

thanks for the post. what a stupid analysis by the french! having been to all these locations, charles de gaul (or orly for that matter) are no better or worse than those of other big cities such as madrid, rome, beijing, london, los angeles or new york. i call it, "the big city" syndrom. of course, telling the prime minister that the french are not being visited because of their foreign policy of supporting terrorist states would probably make the poor man unemployed.

[Bonaparte]

Too little, too late. You can't make up for a dagger in somebody's back by smiling at him.

[Boiler Plate]

Especially when everyone around you smells as bad as you do. Is it any wonder that when stories of great hunters are told none of them are French.

[sweneop]

i understand the rudeness stereotype may have some basis in fact, but the whole thing about the french not speaking foreign languages - well if a frenchman went to london or new york or sydney then im guessing all the waiters wouldnt be all bonjour silvouplait.

it is a bonus in places like italy where they all speak english, but i really cant fault the french for not wanting to do what we dont do either.

[newsworthy]

The French government particularly was alarmed by the 21 percent, or $6 billion, drop in spending by visitors from the United States.

Well, we're doing something right.

[newsworthy]

Nice metaphor.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

"The great french hunter, Pierre, removed his white flag from his vest pocket, and shook it violently at the lion. 'Go away,' he lisped.

[KwasiOwusu]

The French are arrogant, rude and surly?
What's new about that?
You only have to look at Jacques Chirac and the disgusting French behavior over Iraq to see how pathetic and slimy the French are.
Nothing new there.
We have known about the French disease of weasel behavior for decades, going back to Napoleon, De Gaulle etc etc.

[Boiler Plate]

Pierre is he the one in the pink pith helmet and silk jacket?

[JohnHuang2]

thanks for the post.

Welcome.

[beckett]

This report has a figure I've been wondering about. So it's a 21 percent drop off in American tourist dollars since the French stabbed us in the back. OK. I was hoping for a bigger drop but 21 percent is not bad.

[JoeSixPack1]

So even france has their own self-hating anti-french.

Now self-hating anti-Americans everywhere have even more in common with their heros.

[Redcloak]

Mr. Plasait concludes his report with 81 proposals on how the French can become better hosts.

Only 81? I'm sure that we can do better than that! I'll start...

1. Two words: Soap, water.
2. Learn to speak English, even if it's only to keep from hearing our bad French.
3. More "oui", less "weasel".
4. You don't need to surrender each and every time we walk into the room.

Feel free to add more!

[Marie007]

I don't want to pertube you, but near where I live in France, there is a great place where many americans buy houses and properties.
About soap you are always doing the same joke, but you know when I went to the USA, I have not only see cleaned persons in your country.