Demystifying the French: A Panel Discussion

Our panel of experts, including Mark Greenside, Janet Hulstrand, Adrian Leeds and Harriet Welty Rochefort, will share their insights, perspectives, and experiences gathered over the course of many years of living, traveling, and/or working in France.

[@lindylee1139]

Bonjour, what a great panel! Merci beaucoup

[@espesq]

We have traveled to various parts of France several times. I learned SO much on this video and in retrospect, some situations make more sense now. Thank you so much for your videos. We are headed back to the GR65 in June and I will be armed with new knowledge.

[@user-sj6tn7nw6b]

GREAT INCITES!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

[@BaguetteBound]

I enjoyed everything the panelists mentioned about the wonderful characteristics of French people. I've felt that so deeply since we moved here and it's the thing I'd miss the most if we left. Also, living and appreciating life without the idea that it must include spending a lot of money was spot on and another thing I love here.

[@raychance452]

I loved this! Thank you so much for this enjoyable, informative and very useful hour. Merci

[@StephanieHughesDesign]

Tres utile et aider. Je apprécie cet video et le excellent haut-parleurs. Merci.

[@krc5210]

Bon jour Madames, Monsieur. This was SO helpful for my next visit to/stay in France. I'm sure I will make other mistakes but I won't make these as I have in the past.

[@sosylvie]

Brava et merci beaucoup to all of the panelists -- voices of experience! You all made so many valid and useful points. It was captivating and insightful! The main take-away, the main theme running throughout for me, is to brush up on your manners. The French have that égalité thing down-pat. Everyone deserves respect; even the garbageman :)

[@hikingwithsquirrel]

Bonjour! I so appreciated the candor of the panelists and how the nuances of life are so important to making a pleasant mutual experience for both travelers and expats. I made a valiant attempt to learn passable French before spending a few weeks in Lyon. I'd call it a mixed bag of success and utter embarrassment. Make sure you don't confuse asseoir and sentir in a social setting (they're quite similar in Spanish).

[@janethadley5245]

Bravo!

[@jeanneboin4920]

Merci! I enjoyed all of the perspectives of the panelists. I've been to France many times, but I'm taking my family in a few months and it was great to revisit some of the behaviors I need to share with them.

[@mundorueda9402]

Bonjour! I loved this presentation as I get ready to visit France in November. A lot of excellent points on French culture and how they expect visitors to behave. Au Revoir et Merci!

[@ericdurville6306]

At McDonald's in France no one eats with a knife and fork. This happens more often if you eat a hamburger in a restaurant

[@eugeniebreida1583]

Bonjour Msrs et Madamoiselles! Merci boucoups, j’aime le video, tres util. Je ne parles Francais ni en peus, me attentar ici. Au revoire.

[@ericdurville6306]

I am french , Regarding the football player Zidane, if Zidane was violent it is because, being of Algerian origin, the religion of the Koran does not accept insults to the mother or sister. Contrary to what you say, many people disagreed with this gesture.

[@michellehammond141]

Regarding the education topic, unfortunately American public School is completely destroyed and has changed dramatically over the last 27 years that you have been away. Most people with children are deciding to move to France because the education system in The United States has gotten so bad, there is absolutely no teaching of resourcefulness or critical thinking of any kind, they are basically raising children to become consumers, mindless or to enter the military or prison system. It's deplorable.

[@ericdurville6306]

what Harriet says about the "Faux pas" mainly concerns the French bourgeoisie... average French people don't do this