Why do foreigners think the French are arrogant?

Question

Lliam · Accepted Answer

In my travels in France, I found people to be extremely friendly and willing to go out of their way to help, especially in small towns and rural areas.

I only remember two experiences where people had a bit of an attitude.
We pulled into some city one night, I can't remember the city. We wanted to find a place to stay. There was a large building with an iron gate and two guards outside. I stopped, got out and said "Excusez-moi. Parlez-vous anglais?" I don't speak French and probably had a foreign accent.
The guard nodded and I said we were looking for a hotel.
He pointed down the street and I think he counted the number of blocks. He said "Otel Ebay."
Not quite understanding, I repeated it and it said "Ee bay ee sah."
I looked at him quizzically and he repeated it twice, slowly.
Then I got it. He was spelling the name. "I B I S."
I said "Ah. Merci! Merci beaucoup."
He and his associate looked at each other. And when I was going back to the car I heard them quietly mocking me with amusement, saying "Merci beaucoup" as if I was stupid or my accent was bad.
I wasn't offended, though. They had been helpful.

Then, at the Hotel Ibis, the young lady behind the counter was kind of arrogant or condescending.

slatyb · Accepted Answer

Because they are ignorant or rude themselves. We spent three weeks in Paris in the spring and had a wonderful time, met some very nice people even though we don't speak French (but we're learning). All it takes is greeting people with a polite "Bonjour!" and then attempting to ask for what you would like in French. "Je voudrais deux croissants, un pain du chocolate..." Not difficult at all.

midnightmoon05 · Accepted Answer

Lack of real experience. Rumors the French are arrogant?

here, most don’t understand, so they believe what others say.
once we have travelled through France, the French are sooo nice. We also love how structure they are.
Frexh people are not arrogant. Normal people like us. So much more accommodating in tight spaces.

emeraldsaphire · Accepted Answer

Same reason people think Americans are stupid, Media representation. If I had a croissant for every time I've seen a french person in media written as a stuck up snob I could feed all of Pairs XD

Makeushiver · Answer

I've spent a few months in France. A lot on Paris, pretty much in Provence and around Alsace, Carcassone and the Riviera. I speak a small amount of French and IU have never encountered arrogance though I have heard of it. I think taking the time to lean some of the simpler phrases will ease you through any situation where someone who didn't speak any French might encounter it. When I've heard aout it its generally been from Americans who do not know any French and believe they can make themselves understood by repeating their comments louder but still in English or they expect to have things exactly the way they have them wherever they come from while refusing the best efforts their hosts have made in accomodating them.

acooke-13 · Answer

I think every country has their assumptions and misconceptions. It's based on opinions from peoples negative experiences and media. Same way they say all Americans are stupid and everyone hates the English for whatever reason. When I went to France it was just like at home, you have some nice people and you have some not so nice people.

lightbulb27 · Answer

I just returned from there. I have no idea. Old rumors? Stupidity?

No doubt they are opinionated... especially about the English, given their longstanding conflicts not the least of which was a 100 year war. So they can argue about their food quality, soccer skills, and such...

I experienced no arrogance. I experienced other things, some good and some not.

OneViewpoint · Answer

I think British / Scottish males are almost universally over confident and arrogant. Why I don't know. They seem to think highly of themselves but never live up to their own self image. I haven't been around all that many French but I've never gotten the arrogant vibe. Proud of their history and culture yes. A certain attitude towards life, yes.

exitseven · Answer

I do not know. My father was a WW2 vet and he had no love for the French. He always said that were Hitlers best ally.

I know people who had a good expertise in France and others that had been abused because they were Americans.

Panthero80 · Answer

My French teacher told us that they are upset when people expect them to speak English without the visitor even attempting French. Imagine if someone came to the U. S. and expected a citizen of this country to speak French because the visitor to this country didn't know English. "They should speak English if they are in this country" would be the refrain you would hear multiple times.

Miristheiss · Answer

I think it is a stereotype that may have a little truth to it in that the people of Paris can be snooty with tourists. I've heard that is true but that the French throughout the rest of the country can be more warm and hospitable to visitors.

AviatorTom · Answer

I used to work for a French company. Let's just say they believed everything they did was right and whatever someone else suggested to do was wrong.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Those who think so never had been there.

Where I believe to see that the further south you get, the friendlier it becomes.

Disregarding this: my most impressive positive experience with French people was in Calais area.

loveslongnails · Answer

Probably because most foreigners first stop in France is Paris, and Parisians ARE indeed arrogant! Parisians don't even like the French. Once you're outside of Paris and in the smaller cities or towns, people are great.

genericname85 · Answer

because most of them do actually speak English but they don't do it cause they seem to hate tourists in the tourists areas. and since most tourists are exposed to the tourists areas, that's why they think the french are arrogant.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

My former co-worker was bitching about you guys. He said he's only had problems with you guys and he said you're all passive agressive and he posted a clip of René Belloq😂

Agape93 · Answer

Because a lot of them are arrogant, especially in more tourist prone areas like Lyon and Paris. Especially Paris.

TrimmedTip · Answer

It’s not arrogance, it’s confidence with rules. Say "please" (s’il vous plaît), don’t rush them, and watch the magic.

MuddyMole · Answer

Because most of them have only visited Paris, and even the rest of France think Parisians are arrogant.

Likes2drive · Answer

Maybe they watch too many movies about them but the last time I was in Paris, everyone seemed fine and actually like it if you try to speak their language, even if you can’t instead of just expecting them to speak English for you

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

No, we think they’re xenophobic and subsequently very racist

dustybiker2 · Answer

They don't understand respect. They think it's weak or pompous. It actually takes strength.

Dongie · Answer

I guess from experience. I can't say I've ever met a person from France but I'd like to. Especially a female. I LOVE that accent!

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

They can cook and aren't usually fat slobs like Yankees. (And Canucks, to a growing degree!!!)

Staximus · Answer

That probably came from the English being at odds with the French for so long

Babygirl_S · Answer

Because they are. Among Europeans, I’d rather be around an Italian

RyanEC · Answer

I’m not sure. I never felt like there was a lot of arrogance when I visited.

Anonymous · Answer

It's just a generalization, most nations in the world have something...

katiesmuff · Answer

Seems to be a title they have earned themselves!

FreyaRed · Answer

What French? Paris looks like Mogadishu

BonzoInBitburg · Answer

Because they kinda are

DrPepper12 · Answer

Cuz every stereotype has a grain of truth?

Jennz6 · Answer

I didn’t even know that

Sal_Monella · Answer

Because they are.

John0986 · Answer

Which foreigners? I didn't know they did.

noohair · Answer

Go to France and find out.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't even think about the French.

Iron_Man · Answer

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Why do foreigners think the French are arrogant?

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