The French are so rude! Or are they?

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FRANCE 24 brings you its brand new monthly show, French Connections Plus. In this first episode, Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula explore the ins and outs of French etiquette: why is it that French people have the reputation of being so rude when there are so many rules governing how to behave? Is it all just a big misunderstanding? They share tips for how to rub French people up the right way and get a lesson in table manners from etiquette coach Countess Marie de Tilly.
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[@francoamerican9907]

The French DO NOT eat McDonald's with forks and knives 😂😂😂 That's some next level noblesse right there lol

[@mak_zak]

If you go to a fast-food restaurant like McDonald's, Burger King, etc. You'll eat as the Americans do (with your hands). But if you go to a french Brasserie or restaurant who serves Burgers, you can't eat it with hands. Uses fork and knife ;)

[@jimbo-pp6vj]

Bah écoute je me souviens avoir été très embarrassé au restaurant universitaire quand une fois ils ont fait des burgers. Comment le manger ? J’osais pas manger avec mes doigts. J’ai alors tenté de le faire avec mes couverts ^^

[@francoamerican9907]

@@jimbo-pp6vj Ok mais a mcdo lol non. Tu vas dans n'importe lequel en France et les gens mangent sans couverts

[@francoamerican9907]

@Jacklyn Demon sux 4 u then

[@noaccount9985]

Oh si ! Beaucoup de gens le font. Pas à McDo mais ailleurs si.

You forgot one important detail about eating: you have to wait for everyone to be served before starting to eat. You will be considered very rude (and somewhat selfish) otherwise.

[@avacodocherry3774]

That’s what happens with my family sometimes ;-;

[@basstrammel1322]

My mom from the kitchen: "Start eating or it gets cold!"

[@FrenchWhiteBread]

I'm half French and Irish. How is an American going to teach me how to be more french. 😑

@@FrenchWhiteBread Are you talking about me? Because I am French... Fully, not half.

[@pablopicasso3416]

Dont go france ..more easy for you And we speak FRENCH We love renault We tolerant chevrolet

[@toninnoin]

Okay just some advice. Never use "Tu" with stranger okay. Always use "Vous" as it's a faux pas.

[@laurethiabaud-vespierre5550]

Except with children

[@cyrilmusic9066]

@@laurethiabaud-vespierre5550 of course!

[@mikundoli1735]

ikr I was born and live in france 😂

[@davidcoxinparis]

Unless you are in sports. Or unless you're in the entertainment business. Or unless the two of you have the same work title. Or unless this stranger happens to be someone in your extended family. Or unless you are the driver in a ride-share (like Blablacar). Or unless... Sometimes, the "tu" becomes obligatory. Argh! The rules!

[@cyrilmusic9066]

@@davidcoxinparis France is strange... 😂

[@lisarodrigues3604]

I am french and I suppose that all those things about "étiquette" at a dinner are real, but only in some rich families: I eat my burgers with hands all the time and there is no problem... But the "bonjour" thing is 100% real.

[@luis_zuniga]

Lisa Rodrigues I guess the amount of rules you have to follow will depend on the occasion.

[@vaudou74]

same as language, u use a more basic language with "low classes" than middle/high end classes, etiquette is the same.

[@hak525]

bonjour

[@uzairakram899]

It seems a bit impractical to use a fork and a knife for burgers, use a wrap around the burger if you think eating with the hand is nasty.

[@AmidalaEmma]

yes true.

[@Alliswell8877]

As Taiwanese in Paris, I found ppl are rude at first day as they are pretty direct, sometimes impatient and show it in facial expressions and the voice tone, soon I get used to it as it’s just their way to communicate! So I learned to express myself in the same confident level, not afraid to confront, life became easier XD

[@Kelbourg]

In France we are very direct people Indeed. There is no fear to show or say what we feel because it is naturel to us to behave with strong feelings. But it is true that parisians are very impatient. The only important thing is to stay true yourself while being polite "the french way". Which means that if you're faking a smile, or saying nice things just for the sake of being nice but not really thinking it, french will know and they will consider you're trying to abuse their honesty. Most of the time a "Bonjour" and some french words here and there are enough. If a french feels that you're trying your best to communicate, he will give you the world.

[@blan514]

邱大 lol. There are a lot of comedy based on that experience. How a foreigner suddenly adapt to French culture by being rude and racist :)

[@Tgogators]

I found that attitude more in Paris. Outside Paris, I met many awesome people. Paris is great to visit but the hospitality prices there are mind mindbogglingly high

[@xz1891]

So, no matter how it's spinned, they are rude.

[@jnewmark41]

it sounds awful....why would anyone want to live like this?

[@supriyareddysuppi]

I had a connecting flight in Paris and a security guy threw shade at me for not knowing French😂😆. I wonder how many of them learn Indian languages before visiting India.

[@kendallnicol3338]

India 😅🤣🤣🤣

[@ricemagician]

Did he throw the shade properly?

[@jayzee8367]

Nobody: Not a single soul: French people: Bonjour

[@lauhanne3338]

annoying french one = ha non BONSOIR

[@pjohnson179]

At 5:59 pm. Get in an elevator and start greeting the occupants "bonjour". Keep checking your watch until 6:00 pm and switch to "bonsoir".

[@edgarmondant2064]

Try to meet people at precisely 05:59:55pm, so they will greet you with a bonjour and you can snub them with a bonsoir!

[@pjohnson179]

Oh, that's diabolical and so much better! Are you French?

[@edgarmondant2064]

@@pjohnson179 Absolutely!

[@msjdb723]

🤣😂

[@Lostouille]

Ah donc jsuis pas la seule à faire ça x)

[@jdfromparis6230]

You have to say Bonjour to everyone when you walk in an elevator? I'm French and I can tell you, no you don't.... and I'm a very polite person... and very attached to etiquette... Just get in, say a general bonjour, and keep to yourself...

[@midgetponey7121]

Jean-Daniel Mohier I think that’s what she meant, like you walk in the elevator and just say « bonjour ». It would be weird to say it to every single person in the elevator, you would look autistic or something. Oh and by the way, she didn’t mention that the people in the elevator should reply « bonjour » too.

[@luclafor]

That’s not even true. I am French and I live in Paris and never did I have to say bonjour in an elevator. That’s fake news.

[@pepiluci75]

@@luclafor it is the downside of being so sophisticated, you don't even know

[@luclafor]

@@pepiluci75 - I am well mannered but I don't say hello to stranger unless I have to interact with them. You don't seem to be French by the way so what do you know of our habits?

[@pepiluci75]

@@luclafor no, no, i am not french. Was just wondering why is it so challenging to be treated ok in France and why it is not in otger countries 😐

[@BluZix]

"Il a pas dit bonjour"

[@eliaskv4275]

“Il s’est fait niquer sa mère” 😹. In case you’re not French, it’s just a joke from a stupid song by Vald. That’s a sort of proof of how important it is to say “bonjour” in France.

[@djawa2032]

@@eliaskv4275 je pleurs ! 😂😂😂😂

[@terryhoath1983]

@@eliaskv4275 Yes, and Americans say it in 4 syllables

[@capucnechaussonpassion14]

There's a meaning behind why we think it's so important to start by a hello before talking to people (or sometimes enterring the same space, yes, but sometimes). It's because it's a way to recognize the... fact that the other person exists, thet she's there and has her own individuality. It's especially important when you're asking for something, in the streets or in a shop, etc. Like you don't directly "attack them" to use them like a tool, first, you recognize their existence. Sometimes I don't do it, I go directly to talk to the person or just forget the hello part and then feel bad because hey, she's not a tool for me to use !

[@ekx5120]

I work in retail in Paris, with many American tourists. I wish they all know that 1st part. What I hear all day : - TOILETS? LE TOYLETTE ? - PAY? WHERE? (with heavy hand gestures) - ENGLISH? Bonjour is just one word, two syllables. As a French person, omitting this single word changes the perception of whoever is in front of me. Also I remember Genie from Fun Radio when I was a teen :D

[@alexam6959]

Sorry… but I can’t understand that… do you go study every language when you travel? I do know French because in Portugal we study French and English in school… but in Portugal we never get mad if somebody starts talking in English, we don’t care if you don’t know how to say, Bom dia, or Obrigado, or whatever… we try to understand the person and help, if we have to use sigh language and drawings, we will… so, yes, I do thing that way of thinking is kind of rude and arrogant… but that’s just me…

[@alexam6959]

Also, we never deney the use of a bathroom or water to nobody… because we feel it is a human basic need… and you can ask for a cup of water anyplace, and not get charged… different cultures… but I do love to see how different people are and feel around the world. We are all the same, but we can be so different… and it’s amazing how people want a global world and want to be treated equally and with dignity, but can easily forget to do just that to others…

[@deniaridley]

They are truly serious about the "bonjour" (or "bonsoir" in the evening). Even when you enter a shop you, the customer, say "bonjour". And don't forget the "merci, au revoir" when you leave. It'll become more natural with time. I witnessed an employee in a very famous museum in Paris say that she didn't understand someone who walked up and simply asked "where's the bathroom", only to explain to me in perfect English exactly where it was two minutes later. I had said the magic word.

[@ChristinaTaft]

The French Love Bonjour and Merci! It's actually very easy for tourists to be treated well even if they don't know french.

[@redsquirrel1086]

The French are not rude. They are just better than everyone else. I know this is true because they have told me many times.

[@edgarmondant2064]

That's 100% true. But if they're so great it really is thanks to me, since I'm French. The cunts are lucky I'm with them! 😁

[@bluebluelotus2868]

Hahahahahhahahhhahahaah

[@cenzored6702]

DAYUM

[@cellan67]

Americans are not rude. They are just better than everyone else. I know that because their president tells that all the time ( he also tells how the rest of the word is bad and nasty.)

[@dianacassinelli9467]

Red Squirrel lol

[@felixunger3408]

It all makes perfect sense to me. Anyone with a continental European background would understand.

[@friendlyneighbourhoodbridg1354]

Felix Unger tbh I’m GENUINELY surprised how much the French etiquette in this video seems to be similar to white Australian etiquette

[@liloruf2838]

Agreed! Its just the same in Germany.

[@CleoPhoenixRT]

Southern American, its rude going into crowded spaces and not saying "Hello, How are you?" Oh look, I guess Europeans arent the only ones with manners. 🙄

[@toddbonin6926]

I’m just back from two weeks in western and northern France. I spent a day or so outside Paris. I expected / feared that I would be treated rudely, based on what so many people claim. I was wrong. Everywhere I went, the French were absolutely lovely, charming and friendly. I attended several dinners with French hosts, including a prince, and they all were so hospitable. I’m nobody important ... just an historian from the States with French ancestors. I left with a love for all the people I met ... and for France herself.

[@nanezferrer3565]

me : bonjour french friend : SHUT Up ive been saying bonjour 30 times already on her ahahahhahha

[@shizukagozen777]

😂😂😂😂

[@cathhl2440]

LOL still friend??

[@vidiesel]

It’s actually a rule that they didn’t address on this show. You should not say bonjour to someone more than once in the day. It’s offensive, kind of like you are saying that they are so insignificant that you cannot remember greeting them before.

[@rikotakashi2541]

@@vidiesel exactly n i still remember a dude he kept greeting his friend every single minute later on they tol him you r annoying shut uo

[@NubianGirl7]

Really 😂

[@MC-dl1me]

I suggest all the flights to France show a video on French "etiquettes" prior to arrival. After watching this I feel so stressed about visiting Paris.

[@edgarmondant2064]

Only the part about the bonjour is right. Don't bother learning the "etiquette" part it's just folklore.

[@mgsa5722]

😁😁don't go then.

[@drac124]

Well the rules are nice to know, but it doesn't mean its so strict. In Brazil we also eat everything with knife and fork, including pizza. But that doesn't mean if a foreigner do this we will reprimand them. We will just see as different, and if he/she just walked around the streets the whole day and didn't wash hands before eating we will make a disgust face. No harm.

[@jnewmark41]

dont be nervous...WHO CARES if the Parisians like you or not?!! BE YOURSELF. Be polite but authentic. It does not matter what others think of you.. that is THEIR problem

[@jnewmark41]

@@drac124 that is because Brasilians are SOOOO friendly....they are never rude

[@Mycenaea]

I'll try to remember that if someone almost runs me over with their car I have to say "Bonjour!" before my feelings of distress takes ahold of me ;) The only experience I have of French people is from online gaming where they tend to be very rude, and they have a reputation of being rude aswell, so it's not just me feeling that way.

[@charleshamilton9274]

While one does indeed say “Bonjour” to one and all before 18h, you really should have mentioned you never say “Bonjour” to the same person twice in one day. I learned that in a particularly painful way. 😒

[@aqua-mina]

Very true

[@angelfiremz]

for that you can say "re-bonjour" is like, you know u already greeted that person before, but its a way of not looking rude when re-seeing that person. its nice because it cuts the need of small-talk... :)

[@crc5795]

angelfiremz Can you say "Salut!" for the second greeting, or is that still too much?

[@charleshamilton9274]

crc5 - I am just basically lazy. On the second (or third) chance meeting in the hall or conference room, I simply nod, say their title/name (e.g., Madame Legarde) and leave it at that. If I am disposed I might throw in a smile. 😎

[@gerald4013]

crc5 > when you see a person more than once in France, you say "bonjour" the 1st time and nothing (or you just smile) after. To us French, you look stupid if you say "bonjour" every time you see someone in the same day, because it's as if you had forgotten you had already seen the person.

[@aniki937]

8:49 I'm french/maghrebian and if there's one thing that is more french to the max than anything else, this is having a toast anytime you get a drink, even non-alcohol ones ... This blondie is just a frigid aristocrat. She doesn't represent all french people

[@exeuroweenie]

I lived there and have dealt with many French tourists where I live now.Asking directions,merely wanting to talk to we locals,they were perfect visitors and total sweethearts.They just don't have that constant(post lobotomy) rictus grin we 'Murcuns affect.They smile when they mean it.

[@jahangeerasif]

Before going to France I thought this "rude" stereo type was just a hype. But after staying there for 4months for my exchange program I realize they are really rude. Most nationality people suggested me that they are like this because they are racist. The irony is that although the language consider to be sweetest but the people aren't.

[@pigstrotters4198]

The friendliest people in Europe are the Dutch. The unfriendliest the French. Not only do many British say this, but also the Dutch, German and Austrian friends I have. Is that coincidence? I never seemed to have any problems in other European countries wanting to know, for example, where a particular street is, where my hotel is, or how do I get from one main station to another etc In Paris....getting from Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est, for example is a nightmare, let alone knowing which platform to be on. Better to ask another tourist. But one asked me for the same reason....no help. No matter how much you smile, (and ask in French..which I do know before) it's usually a shrug of the shoulders. Altho' I realized the help I did get get was usually from a black. Or must I know every language of every country I want to visit before arriving? Even the French who DO speak English don't seem to want to. Shame, because it's a beautiful country.

[@ChachouLP]

@@pigstrotters4198 don't put all the French or Parisians in the same baskets. As a Parisian I can tell you that if I could help any tourist I will do it. I'm happy to see tourists in Paris so I 'm helpfull and I'm not the only one. I know we have the reputation of being rude , some people are rude but not all the people here.

[@Aug__]

These standards are easy enough to follow but the fact that someone does not offer you a greeting automatically should not justify being rude to them at all.

[@CarterBabylung]

Agreed with the bonjour part but all the other rules aren't really as strict

[@maikkarustia5055]

Been here in Paris for a year now! Coming from NYC, I thought Parisians would be easy especially that I’ve visited 7x over the last 3 years before I finally moved here. Lo and behold, I was wrong! I amuse myself everyday by counting how many rude people I encounter - in the street, in the métro, in my building, etc. If I say « Bonjour » to 10 people a day, 6 of them only say it back to me, 4 pretends not to hear a thing. IT SUCKS to be told how important Bonjour is and that I make efforts to abide by the ‘unspoken law’, but then I don’t get it back. :-/

[@jackiec1175]

Totally agree. I've had a similar experience as a fellow newyorker.

[@rebeccaserrano5526]

Every country has their own morals and standards. For any visitor to refuse to adapt to their way of living is disrespectful and just worsens our reputation as Americans. Be open minded and learn about other countries!

[@m.planck2744]

I get your point, but if service personal ignores or refuses me to help because I maybe was in stress and forgot or didn't knew at all that I was supposed to say Bonjour, the will to experience their culture would be greately damedged. Nobody needs to be friendly to me, but in a trainstation, if I ask someone from the service personal an important or urgent question, he or she should at least have to give me an answer and not primarily feel offended. But maybe I could be wrong.

[@vivmandrin]

it's funny I'm french and I always says this to my french friends that want to discover Portugal ! :) I say : " learn the basics " Bom dia, Faz favor, obrigado " . In Portugal when French tourist invadors come , if they say these gentle words , all the Portuguese people try to remember french words and speak to you , if not they just know nothing about french and I love it ! Because people are proud of their history , language and life , this is the normal price of visiting I think ! ;)

[@beatssearcher1778]

Au portugal c'est abusé à quel point les gens sont friendly dans les zones où il n'y a pas masse de touriste. On se baladait à pied pour voir des coins un peu ruraux avec ma famille et on se faisait aborder avec des grands sourires, des gens essayait de parler français avec nous, c'est impensable en France. On a eu des conversations très enrichissantes (en plus mon tonton est portuguais donc il pouvait traduire si besoin). J'ai trouvé ça extrêmement rafraîchissant et j'en garde un très bon souvenir. s/o aux portugais, on devrait en prendre de la graine.

[@ericmiller2189]

I lived in Southern France and visited Paris 3 times. Paris is a totally different place. Southern France is way more laid back and nice. Paris, people made fun of my wife's accent (shes from southern France) and people came off as rude. The etiquette was fun to learn, as an American who grew up in the 90s, height of the sarcastic era, I was laughing so much at these rules.. after a while I was into it. Fell in love with France, it's a rich life

[@michaelchandler490]

I spent a week in Paris with my two daughters on vacation and while I had heard that Parisians were rude, I can say that in the week I was there I never once experienced it. Everyone from wait staff, hotel staff to bus drivers were friendly and extremely helpful. My experience compared to the popular conception was day and night.

[@knucklehoagies]

as long as you say "bonjour" before speaking to anyone, the French are nice. They take formal greetings pretty seriously. The rude french thing is a myth. The French are actually pretty nice.

[@KG-fw5wk]

I love Florence’s personal anecdote about nearly being hit by a car, and then the driver scolded her for not saying “bonjour.” 😂

[@hurri7720]

It's not always easy to remember the right word for the right occasion. A friend of mine visiting Paris pushed his hand in between the legs of a woman, by accident, on the Metro. When she turned around not that amused, he wanted to apologise, But when searching for the right word for that occasion, all he came up with was "merci madame", But this occasion eventually ended with a smile. As far as I can see I have used at least five French words here.

[@florad.6469]

As a French, if in a restaurant, I would eat Burger and pizza with fork and knife. But for fast-food or at home with friends, I use hands. I mean it really depends on the context. As for the hello in elevator, just say Bonjour once while looking at everyone. People will look at you weirdly if you say bonjour to every one of them!😂

[@rmcd823]

I entered in a shop and the French woman was mopping the floor and without stopping or telling me anything mopped my out through the door. More than rude!

[@RenJadahr]

I just came from Paris last week without knowing any of these rules, and I thought the French people was very polite.

[@MelC-td9bg]

Did you actually live there or just visit briefly?

[@KaorixHarajuku]

Anglos, please stop coming to Paris and think you know everything about "France". Going to a countess' apartment in the 16th arrondissement is not gonna teach you about our hospitality and is not a real reflection of how 99% of the population behave with each other. France is a country made up of many different diverse people, regional languages and foods. Paris is not France.

[@jnewmark41]

"Anglos?" You are talking to hundreds of millions of different people.... ALL ANGLOS are the same? That is like saying "ALL FRENCH STINK & SMOKE CIGARETTES." So ignorant.

[@rikotakashi2541]

@Rose dowling Paris is in France but its not France 🙄

[@daffydilly1]

I wish I had seen this before our trips to Paris. We are always polite, the American way, but have been reprimanded for not saying Bonjour before asking a question at the airport. She made us check our carry-ons, and charged us for it. It may have been the reason we were treated badly a few other places, too. Outside of Paris, French people were lovely.

[@ClassicHolic]

Americans are rude in Paris in general.

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

"A polite American' sounds like an oxymoron to me. In my city, Americans behave like they are the kings and the inhabitants are their subjects, bound to do their bidding. They act and talk like they are so far superior to non-Americans, that it becomes a joke. When I converse with them, I keep being surprised how little they know, in general and about the places they visit. So what Parisians and people in popular towns do, is to refer Americans to the most obvious places. Never the finer things, never the in-places. The only reason for that is their arrogance. It is not just Donald Trump, I met quite a few and most of them thought or acted like he or she was a superior being compared to Europeans while Europeans see 'proof' of the opposite in almost every instance they meet an American. I think both sides err in their prejudices. An interesting set of explanations of how this came about, can be found in the book Uncouth Nation. My personal take on this phenomenon is that from kindergarten onward Americans are indoctrinated with the idea that there is no greater nation than the USA, and that, ipso facto, they as a people must be superior in quality than anybody else.

[@ClassicHolic]

You're right. Ironic isn't it that their own culture has so little substance compared to Europe or some parts of Asia.

[@lornelz]

Frank 11 That's ignorant in so many ways.

[@tyxeri48]

And in the comments you can trace the European rudeness. Yes, Americans are friendly and openhearted and in so many ways better behaved than some Europeans who don't know how to be kind hosts but they accept the American money with pleasure.

[@elrevah]

There are different things completely wrong, exaggerated and unfair' for example this: People in the North of France northly from Paris (called also the ch"ti region, that one around Lille, that's North for Parisians) are very different from people in Paris, they are pretty warm! And something more: Why do you ask this terrible comtesse for table manners, so ridiculous, almost everyone in France would laugh at her stupid manners. And in France yes people are quite polite and less fake at the same time, which seems to me to be a nice combination. In France people eat burgers and shrimps with the hand too! Etc, etc., etc.

[@m.planck2744]

I hope you are right. 😶

[@heatherfeather1293]

As a Southern woman from the US, I can appreciate the attention to etiquette. :)

[@anastasia10017]

My parisian friend came to spend a week with me. I went out of my way and took him all over the place to show him the town. I found him quite rude and unappreciative and yet, he kept telling me how polite he was. I found his lack of graciousness very impolite and tiring. I also found him very ungrateful.

[@knucklehoagies]

It’s probably a cultural thing. For one, the French are not very openly expressive people like Americans. They’re quite meek in expressing anything they like or dislike. If they really really really enjoyed a meal, they usually will just say “hmm it wasn’t bad.” Americans are more open and expressive and might interpret this as rude or indifferent. Also, the French are known to complain about everything. They were raised from a young age to critique everything to the T while Americans are raised to always look on the positive side of everything.

[@anastasia10017]

@@knucklehoagies the fact that I organized free (and private ) accommodations for him for a week and took him around sightseeing every day warrants some expression of gratitude and recognition of effort and I dont care where in the world you come from. Also, I had organized/planned to do things with him and every time I asked him if he would like to do XYZ, he said "non". Which isn't exactly go with the flow. Since he returned to France, not one single word of thanks from him. This is not a lack of openness. This is a lack of both graciousness and basic manners.

[@MelC-td9bg]

@@knucklehoagies Meek? 😂 Which is why the women are openly jealous & the men are hateful? Right.

[@kendallnicol3338]

What about you ?

[@Miaina77]

"Bon appétit" is totally correct and friendly. Only disconnected despising French people assert that "ohlala ça fait beauf" with unfounded arguments.

[@cloverhal2284]

Oui e comprends pas cette femme...bizarre

[@titi9970]

Ça l’est pas vraiment, en fait c’est comme si tu souhaitais bonne chance aux autres pour manger le plat, comme s’il fallait du courage pour le manger, ça sous-entendrait donc que ça a plutôt l’air répugnant, c’est pour ça que certaines personnes préfèrent ne pas le dire, même si évidemment on ne pense pas tous comme ça en le disant ! ☺️ No it’s not because it’s like you were wishing luck to someone, as if they’ll need courage to eat the (disgusting) dish ! 😅 (Sorry for my english)

[@Miaina77]

Titi 99 je ne souscris pas du tout à votre interprétation, qui relève d’une forme de mépris populaire et peu grotesque à vrai dire. Le sens des mots glissent, la langue est vivante. Bon appétit est une expression populaire largement utilisée pour souhaiter du plaisir dans l’acte de sustentation en France, aujourd’hui. Se baser sur une étymologie controversée pour en conclure que c’est Impoli me paraît relever du grotesque aristocratique

[@lahire4943]

Bonne dégustation convient mieux que bon appétit.

[@Miaina77]

Un Français c’est votre opinion, pas la mienne.

[@patricialavender2902]

I lived in France for 16 years, and I found the French very polite indeed, and extremely warm and friendly. When I returned to England I found it very difficult to accept that you are never acknowledged when entering a room of strangers, a bank etc. I have the habit of saying "hello, how are you?" to people I see regularly, and I'm sure they think I'm a bit weird!!

[@FreshYoungLeaves]

are you big investor or have huge deposit fund bank in France ?

[@patricialavender2902]

FreshYoungLeaves I lived as a widow on a small retirement pension! I made an effort to integrate and to learn the French language. It is the foreigners who don't try who find the French unfriendly.

[@FreshYoungLeaves]

Overall women is more sensitive, not like the men. Busy a man avoid wasting time , spending more time for productivity and having leisure with joyful in free time.

[@crazyforcanada]

Hi. I grew up with my mother, her Irish father and her English (from England) mother. I'm 66 now. So, in that era, believe it or not, these people raised me to stand up and greet whoever entered a room, and to not speak a foreign language to shut out the majority speaking English in the room. It is only currently that this culture seems to have worn off, speaking of Montreal. But we have a huge tsunami of foreigners being dumped on us from the four corners, and they do not know or care about our culture, and perhaps in this highly "relative" atmosphere, our own culture has decayed. That said, it was extremely interesting for me to hear an excessively formal and polite Arab from Lebanon complain that nobody stands up for him when he enters a room in Montreal! So, this is perhaps also an Arab custom? Or a Lebanese custom? And Lebanon was not culturally disintegrated by mass immigration, to the extent Canada has been destroyed by it -- and he complains about our not behaving the way he thinks is right -- but that's how we used to be raised, and behaved.

[@robertplant2059]

I found the Brits to be very polite, esp compared to the Parisians. Just ask for directions and see how helpful the Brits are. The French act like your asking for money.

[@deader0798]

Bonjour ! I'm french and what you tell her is 100% true. And even that I'm currently living in Germany with many Germans (obvious😂) but also British, Canadians and Americans. And I fell always choked or weird when someone starts talking to me without the "hello" or "hallo" because I'm used to hearing this bonjour. We the french have to improve our English pronunciation 😉

[@michaellovely8751]

I learned about the importance of 'Bonjour' before coming to Paris but once I got there I completely forgot about it. Got a nasty lecture from someone working behind the counter at Subway. Girl I haven't eaten for 12 hours I'm starving gimme my food! I said Hello and politely gave my order! No need to be vile and keep giving me the side eye just cuz I forgot to say f&#*^n bonjour.

[@wikandhanarajasa]

I love her reaction when she realized that there is no ring on her fingers 7:44

[@annikacazal8385]

So true! More tourists should know this as it will make their stay so much nicer. I have the luck that my French boyfriend tought me most of these things (the rest I learned form books and observation) and whenever I was in France, including Paris, I only had nice encounters with French people (besides some grumpy people, which you will find in every country / city). Even at times when "bonjour" , "bonsoir" , "merci" and "au revoir" where the only things I knew in French :)

[@domenicoernestoesposito1318]

Last year during a visit to Paris I asked to a woman, who was waiting to cross the street next to me in the Belleville neighborhood, "Excusez-moi, savez-vous où se trouve la rue Des Envierges?" because I could not find it by myself... and she answered me rudely, "Oui Je sais ou' est la Rue Des Envierges" and left....

[@maxmin5272]

I'm French. There is nothing wrong with eating shrimps with the hands as well as crab, mussels and other crustaceans. It is considered ("considered" is key to the étiquette) preciously ridiculous not to do so. However, refined people with "savoir vivre" will supply a "bol rince-doigts" (a finger bowl) with a napkin or finger wipes for younger people. Take La Coupole Restaurant in Paris, that's how it's served. There isn't 1 étiquette in Paris but several, each belonging to a specific social and economical group or place: high society, friends, middle class, strangers. To have no étiquette at all is a sign of being low class, and that's how Americans present themselves to French people. People in the South will tolerate it better than in the North. But, all have a set of behavioral norms that they consider to be extremely important. To abide by these norms, or at least visibly try, creates the difference between being excluded or accepted. As for eating a burger, I'd advise Americans to show off in front of French people. Nobody does it better than they do and the French instinctively know it. And, never forget the "bonjour" with a formal handshake or "salut" while waving the hand if there is a connivance. If it is your boss, wait for him to present his hand first. If he doesn't, he's rude and not worthy of his position - and he knows it.

[@Valerie-gn1rr]

Well, that's how you're suppose to eat them!

[@johnmcglynn2125]

I can recall finger bowls at better establishments in New Jersey in the US in the 1950's. What a shame we seem to have lost some of these niceties. Not at my house. If you come to dinner you dine on fine china, crystal, beautiful tablecloths. Maybe I'm doing this for myself? Ask me if I care.....

[@aminas6725]

All these are so boring. French people and french "étiquette " are really boring😔😔😔

[@foshoucitron4595]

@@aminas6725 L' étiquette a une fonction : la discipline et le contrôle de soi. Elle était de mise dans un monde ou toute activité était une occasion de former une caractère bien trempé. On retrouve cela dans toutes les grandes civilisations...(voir Japon etc...)

[@OptLab]

​@@aminas6725 you clearly did not watch the video. The french never use the term etiquette. The part with the lady at a dinner is a thing for "diners mondains" among philosophers, artists and politicians. They show this for television purpose. What really matters is education and manners. And yes Bonjour/Au revoir/ Merci/je vous en prie, pardonnez-moi IS Important. But it's not only a french thing, it's a european thing. I find people in Europe also well educated. It's just looks a bit more extreme in cities like Paris, Venicia or Rome.

[@louiebrilliantes9680]

Our experience we encountered no rudeness but polite and helpful french during our visits to Montreal , Quebec City and finally Paris this June. We always start with Bonjour and whatever little french phrases we learned and switch to English.

[@teddie552]

French teenagers abroad are notoriously rude. I live in London and we see loads of them, they are noisy and don't think about others around them. I know someone who works in a museum and they dread the groups of French teenagers lol

[@blindedbliss]

TLDR: ALWAYS say Bonsoir (before 6 pm) or 'Bonne soirée' (after 6 pm), including all inside of an elevator. If you've spent some time with a person, the polite pay to say 'bye' is 'salute'. Meet for social gatherings 15 minutes late. Meet on time for 'official stuff', like work or the dentist. The host will indicate to you where you should sit at a dinner party, sit down a second after they do. Put your hands (or if female, elbows) delicately on either site of your plate. Bred is sliced and served in little baskets, it is the only thing that can be eaten by hand. Cheese is served once, put it on your bread, do not spread it out. The hostess stands up first, you may do so a few minutes later. Thanking her for the food.

[@ChachouLP]

Bonsoir isn't before 6pm it's after ;) And at the end when you're leaving you can say : passez une bonne soirée

[@melodyschleicher81]

I previously considered the Parisians quite unhelpful and snobbish. Last week I travelled through Paris and missed my connecting bus. The people I asked for assistance were truly kind and helpful. They have redeemed themselves in my eyes.

[@flayuhat]

It's really true about the bonjour thing. I used to say "excusez-moi" a lot because I'm American and it feels natural to me, but that's all wrong. Just say bonjour (and "parlez-vous anglais?" if you want to speak English) to everyone and you'll start meeting a lot more nice French people. Although be aware that being especially friendly to strangers isn't really a necessary part of the French idea of politeness so don't be surprised if they're reserved and don't smile much, especially employees.

[@leladoksa]

It is all over Europe.. not just France...

[@juliazelinsky8210]

Yeah if you aren’t told to say bonjour before you say anything else to a French person, they are EXTREMELY rude to you. I was having a panic attack cause I could find my family, and I asked someone if they saw where they went and didn’t say “bonjour” first. They were so pissed at me and refused to help

[@jonnies8478]

I have been to Paris three times and each time I found the Parisians to be polite and friendly and very helpful when I was in need. I am American and I love Paris and I love Parisians, that’s why I keep coming back.

[@universalsoulhealing]

I believe it is rarely a matter of intentional rudeness. However, they are born contrarians, and very attached to complaints as a sport, and so one can feel they observe in search of being offended.

[@dbertobis]

In this video they moved the “politeness” issue to the “etiquette”, that are two completely different things, while giving the impression that if a French person is rude to somebody, it is just because the other didn’t say Bonjour. I lived in Paris and yes, they can be extremely rude like nobody else. To many you can tell as many “bonjour” as you want, but the answer can vary from no answer to real rude answers. In particular, waiters, bartenders, and all the fauna around the metro are often quite unpleasant. However, as soon as one leaves Paris it is all another matter. French can be extremely polite too and witty, funny and so nice to deal with. Paris alas is not the place where to find kindness.

[@blueblueyt7542]

I was expecting a video on politeness, not on etiquette, which I agree is completely different. I agree with the other things you said as well.

[@rhemy1]

lol. So are they being rude? Yes! Having to go around saying bonjour to everyone everywhere or else they’ll snub you is a bit ridiculous.

[@benleung6331]

I do notice that in Europe, not just France, people eat pizza with forks and knives, which is unusual in America even in restaurants.

[@michelmoutinho]

I respect the fact French people have a different set of behaviour and etiquette. But I’ve had a fair share of interaction with French in France and out and I can say I don’t have the best memories. There have been times I felt extremely welcome in Paris, either in shops or restaurants. Other times I was treated with a level of rudeness and disrespect that it would shock the most open-mined people!!! I have also met French people outside of France, which should make them more open to different cultures and ways to behave, but that didn’t stop them from being blasé and unpleasant! Maybe I wasn’t lucky to meet enough nice French people... but word is out for years (maybe centuries) of how rude most of French people are. Wether it’s being baffled by not getting a “bonjour” or not, sometimes it’s nice to listen to what people say about us instead of disregarding it all together and calling it a bad rep! If everyone says you’re dead, maybe it’s time to lie down!

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

@Michael Moutinho. Did you speak French with them?

[@OptLab]

There is a difference between being rude and constantly express out your feeling. The french very often complain " it's so cold" "it's so hot" "oh it's raining again "oh you should avoid eating this right now" "I hate my job" "people in the bus were so annoying" and on and on.

[@birdyi3213]

@@TheRiceIndustry | Could it be that your mother tongue is Spanish?

[@beatssearcher1778]

@@TheRiceIndustry En una farmacia en Francia, hay un bano unicamente para el personal. No pueden permitir usarlo

[@lmnll2742]

@@TheRiceIndustry You just can't do something like this in France. It's inappropriate.

[@Maurazio]

i don't see any difference except that children don't shout in the restaurant

[@yirimusic]

I really loved this format of program… You should definitely continue doing it.

[@Bonjour-vw7wb]

I was traveling around south,west n north of France for two n half in 2016,Thru my experience I find the french are extremely helpful n friendly thru my stay in France,I think is how you approach anyone with manners n polite,There is no reason anyone to be rude to you.

[@DiabolicalAngel]

I have been to France a handful of times (Paris but also other parts like Normandy, Cote d'Azur, Brittany etc) and I have to say, I did not experience the rudeness. This is not to say it doesn't exist, though, and if you can speak French even at a basic level, that will give you an advantage. I once went to a bar by the Musee D'Orsay by myself, didn't know a soul, but the bartender and several of the folks at the bar had a conversation with me (everyone spoke French). It was pleasantly surprising. So I have to say, there has been a shift in a positive direction

[@Rayschall1]

I live in France. None of my French friends would do all what the French lady said. I think she's snob. They are far more casual than British at my age, 69. I can relax better with French people than some of other nations. Bonjour is true. But one has to get used to it. It's like saying Hello right?

[@rikotakashi2541]

Exactement

[@blan514]

Being so long in Ireland, i once forgot to say hello at the start of the conversation in a book shop. Needless to say she wasn't happy. Or when I forgot to kiss my friends hello, they asked me what was wrong with me??

[@PeterPan-qb3tb]

I wonder if the French respect other culture when they outside of France? I seen many in Hong Kong and they are all rude, obnoxious and very snotty even the ones just serving you your coffee.

[@celinemartin1861]

It is so rude to write such a comment like yours !

[@user-xc4pb1wt4l]

Celine Martin he’s simply sharing his experience with the French. It wouldn’t be a stereotype if it wasn’t true🤷🏻‍♀️

[@tototita413]

@Meleva Asério 15/100 tips are included in checks in France LOL asians should do same LOL

[@celinemartin1861]

You can share you so-called "experience with the French" in a diplomatic and polite way, specially when you blame an entire population of being rude. Most of French people say : Hello , thank you and please when they ask for something unlike others population. I've got a stereotype about British men , they are all gentlemen !!! I lived in England and trust me as a woman I came across a lot of them and it is not true but I do not put every British men in a same basket ! But I do think we need to have a minimum of education to not believe stereotypes .

[@talksolot]

they aren't called frogs for nothing haha lol

[@zyxwut321]

If you want rudeness, just go to Germany, especially Berlin. Berlin's kind of like the New York City of Europe with manners. People are hard, bossy, cold, rigid, humorless (except for sarcasm) and often downright mean. They're also honest as the day is long, loyal, punctual, hard-working, hard-partying, smart and worldly. I guess it depends on what matters to you.

[@elrevah]

Goorpijp Wessel He/she said Berlin, can't you read? And it's totally true.

[@MC-dl1me]

Agree. But tourist area is not so bad. I ventured into a neighborhood. Went to a bakery. I tried to speak German; asking for a slice of cake. Waiter said something back and I didn't understand. He rolled his eyes and never came back.

[@Bella_Mar]

You should try Austria. People are not friendly and actually outright rude. France? Never had a problem with that.

[@DigoronKavkaz]

Not true. I go to Munich every years and the Germans are generally very polite

[@Huaimek861]

Vienna , Austria is where I experience extreme rudeness . When I returned to Italy and told my friends ; they said who told you , didn't you know that the Austrians were worse than the Germans in WWII . I have spent time in Berlin because my daughter is married to a very charming and amusing German and they live in Berlin , but I have not experienced any rudeness there .

[@persona1incerta]

Funny. I'm from Latvia and all that I've learned from childhood. Was surprised a lot of that is not used in the UK, but visiting France I can feel like at home! :-)

[@Andyhoffman98]

I’m studying in Glasgow and legit just want to see the museums in Paris. This is stressing me out.

[@durpyrainbowp8405]

*starts talking about etiquette* *shows phone sitting on table*

[@kgbourghs]

As a French ‘ex-pat’, the Bonjour and Bonne Soir is very real. The eating etiquette is not as rigid as this video states. However, at formal dinner parties, it’s a must. To add an extra touch to Bonjour and Bonne Soir, add the gender. EXAMPLE: Bonjour monsieur, Bonjour mademoiselle, or Bonne Soir madam. HINT: mademoiselle vs madam. Always err on the side of mademoiselle, especially if you can’t identify a wedding ring, instead of madam. Let the lady correctly. A lady, especially a French lady, loves to be referred to as younger than her age. Now, pardon moi as I finish eating my pizza with my HANDS! jejeje (lol)!

[@EmTreasure88]

7:50 I just now realized the plural of shrimp is shrimp...

[@RoyalCaymanian]

Emily Schatz oh really? 😱😂

[@galacticambitions1277]

Ignoring someone for not saying bonjour is just ignorant and no propaganda piece can get round that.

[@jakcarn4184]

One thing for sure motorists dont stop at pedestrian crossing.

[@WonderWanda]

Is it etiquette approved to keep touching one's hair at the table? :-/

[@israel172251]

Yes they are French and Chinese are rude , except my French friend he lives in mexico he became Mexican in the Mexican town he lives in everyone love him he is the nicest guy Alexandre colin.

[@grill38]

greetings from france :)

[@kennydidier3255]

Very rude people and hypocrites.

[@rikotakashi2541]

@@kinemasterkween exactly i was searching this comment. Thank u

[@rikotakashi2541]

@@kinemasterkween 😁

[@Lea-rb9nc]

I've lived here over twelve years and encountered only one person who could be considered rude and it was under stressful circumstances.

[@MelC-td9bg]

What's super polite is when jealous women or hateful men mumble at me as they walk by in public. It's so adorably civilized! ☺️

[@johnmcglynn2125]

I never realized I was well mannered until in a French bakery run by French people here in San Francisco. When asked if I wanted something I replied "Yes, please" and received a compliment on my wonderful manners 'Such wonderful manners. How polite you are". I also say "No, thank you." Is this the French manner of saying these things? And where did i learn this ?- probably at my university in New Orleans.

[@MisterBabouin]

lol yes this is how french do; you maybe are secretly french... maybe you should question your mother...xD

[@blueberryriver3220]

My friend who lived in France for many years said the French who didn't live in Paris were great but he found the Parisian people quite arrogant. Also if you didn't speak the French language perfectly when asking for something, they did not want to help you and totally ignored you. ( Just his experience with people in Paris )

[@shedontknowbutsheknows6225]

I've even heard my felloe country friend telling experience when visiting France. They say Bonjour and then, a French tryna help but after they heard English after that Bonjour, that French immediately walk away

[@briantravelman]

I visited France recently. The "Bonjour, parlez vous Anglais?" And "Je ne comprends pas" really DO work wonders. I just did it on instinct without even seeing this video. Even if your pronunciation is bad, they'll still respect you if they see that you are trying." I actually found the French to be some of the friendliest people in Europe.

[@shedontknowbutsheknows6225]

Meanwhile, someone didn't get help and their last word was " your accent bad " 🤣

[@kgbourghs]

Love your videos! Do you have more?

[@sgsmozart]

What is name of the café in which they are sitting? . It is so lovely!

[@albertolaboria5866]

Steven S I think it's Chartier, on thé Grands Boulevards.

[@sbhimji4568]

Le Café du Commerce en Paris

[@ArturoHernando]

Excellent video. I think Florence forgot to say bonjour to the French etiquette expert when she entered the apartment... :-)

[@bluesam6942]

Arturo Rodríguez Ortega which is why in the end the expert replied, I hope so, referring to her may not get the idea of etiquette

[@the80386]

^ you do know that they meet beforehand to set up camera, lights, makeup and discuss about what they're going to talk about and how, right?

[@sixletters9759]

@ 80386, this is true, but Flo still should have said bonjour, to give the impression that she was just then meeting.

[@MariaIsabel-so5br]

Keep in mind that this is a general thing and not everyone is going to be just rude or just nice. Yeah, mostly French have etiquette and are very nice, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find a few who are rude. For example, some French people (non-Parisians) think that a lot of Parisians can be stuck up. It’s like New York (even though of course it isn’t), the genera view is that New Yorkers can be rude and have that “accent” even though there are nice people and not everyone speaks with a New York accent. Overall, I think the French people great and I respect them and their amazing culture. People just really need to think and look beyond the surface.

[@GFSLombardo]

I think that "attitude thing" is common to many people who live in major and/or capital cities like NYC, Paris, London, Rome, Madrid, Moscow, Beijing etc. The big city dwellers think that their "provincials" just do not "get it" . And the people who do not live in the huge urban metropolises think the big city people are pushy, arrogant, too foreign, and rude. Many also feel that where they live represents the "AUTHENTIC NATION"; whether its France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Poland, etc. My Danish friend, for example, who lives in a small town in North Jutland thinks of herself as "a real Dane" vs the poor mis-guided souls who live in Copehagen. I have run across this attitude wherever I have traveled in Europe (and the USA).,

[@-unhoelyn2727]

I’m French and I’ve lived in Paris since i was born, and i don’t consider that we’re rude. we love everyone

[@heyitsajmartinez]

Ohh puh lease

[@shedontknowbutsheknows6225]

No?

[@willneverforgets3341]

They are not rude, they have their own social rules, and if you skip them they will not like it and their reaction will not be friendly. In addition Parisians are quite stressed and tourists seem for them to stand in the way. The "Bonjour" if you skip it, you're lost!! I had to excuse myself a couple of times in order to bring the conversation back on track! In general if you say "bonjour" you have gone 80% of the day. If you skip it they will think you are not civilised.

[@B..P..]

That makes them judgemental then. Thats worse then being just rude.

[@mpagan606]

I love this channel. I watched it for months while living in the US. It inspired me to move to France to create a new life. Since I’ve been here, I have found the French to be very nice, even in Paris. :)

[@trojanette8345]

Thank you for enlightening us. Wow. 200 years later......someone finally explains this to a mass audience. Thank you for the lesson. Like most American's in particular we certainly could have used an 'etiquette' lesson such as this to minimize the 'cultural shock' when encountering the French. It would have been nice if someone would have told us. SMILE.

[@rassaneybattiese6932]

I was in France. I told a lady Bonjour. Thank goodness it was before 6:00 p.m. . . . I think.

[@HeavymetalHylian]

I thought this was really interesting because my family is French and they raised me this way. It's sort of neat to see the origins of that and why my dad would get so angry if we put our elbows on the table lol. Now it is something that bothers me and that I would teach my children.

[@biancasoto6724]

I actually like how they greet everyone and say bonjour. Working in retail, one of the things that irritate me would be when people came into the store and not even acknowledge you with a hello or anything. I think it's basic courtesy that everyone should have. Say hi before demanding something. Also, just like people in the USA expect people to speak English or at least some English when visiting, the same rule applies to you when visiting France, Spain, Italy, etc. Its so easy to do your research before traveling to another country and so easy to learn basic words in that country's language. Not difficult at all to learn about other cultures and being tolerant.

[@vikasun8449]

thank you for the video ! I could feel how much work you put in it !... strict étiquette rules will applies only in aristocratic families, or some special events...

[@HoudaOussous]

I had a weird experience in a restaurant in Ukraine with an old french man ... he was in a table near me and he started judging us in french with his ukrainian girlfriend because me and my hijjabi friend were magrebi... it was uneasy for his girlfriend and she started telling him to speak lower and he refused and said that we need to give him back his land... i didn't even ones go to France and didn't have the attention to live there either... he noticed that we have some french vocabulary in our conversation... i was pissed off so i decided with my friend to go to an other etablissement because i was going to have an argument with him.. he came to us and said Bonjour and he started saying that he noticed that we know french very well so he wanted to know where i was from ... i said morocco and he said that he goes frequently there and has the maire as friend in marrakesh... he was a real hypocrite and grabed my hand to kiss it ... i was disgusted of this kind of contradictory behiaviours ... are most French that hypocrite?

[@ismaeldependance3994]

nope only the old ignorant racist, and there is a lot in France..

[@swicheroo1]

I don't recall whether or not I said "bonjour" to anybody in Paris. I spent a month there and interacted with a lot of people. I did speak French, as I am originally from a former colony. I think the only weird experience was with a crazy old woman from across the street who just started screaming at me. I do recall she never said "Bonjour" to me. Perhaps I should have corrected her with a curt "Bonjour."

[@Huaimek861]

This article actually misses the point of Whether the French are rude or not . This is a documentary about French Etiquette , to which one might conform or not , but not doing so does not imply rudeness . My experience of travelling in France is that ordinary Parisians may be very rude ; but in rural areas people are charming and polite .

[@the_number_one]

You will have a nightmare in Berlin then

[@PpAirO5]

If you forget to say Bonjour... can you still save it for later ?

[@Anne-mz9cj]

Just say you're sorry that you forgot, people will understand, it can happen

[@toi2codon]

So I'm from a country in South East Asia, I don't know if I have enough qualification to talk about this. I would not say that all French are rude, I work in Hospitality industry and I had very sad exprerience with all French people I met. They were very rude and impatient, sometimes they showed unhappy or cold expressions and I swear I never got any "Thank You" from them. But I feel better with the young French people, they behaved more politely.

[@Anne-mz9cj]

Older French believe they deserve everything freely without being polite, but then they accuse people to be impolite 🙄

[@shedontknowbutsheknows6225]

It's just like that I'm also from South East Asia. French has bad reputation both for being tourist and as host.