IronGhost Posted July 9, 2009 #1 Share Posted July 9, 2009 PARIS (Reuters Life!) – French tourists are the worst in the world, coming across as bad at foreign languages, tight-fisted and arrogant, according to a survey of 4,500 hotel owners across the world. They finish in last place in the survey carried out for internet travel agency Expedia by polling company TNS Infratest, which said French holidaymakers don't speak local languages and are seen as impolite. "It's mainly the fact that they speak little or no English when they're abroad, and they don't speak much of the local language," Expedia Marketing Director Timothee de Roux told radio station France Info. "The French don't go abroad very much. We're lucky enough to have a country which is magnificent in terms of its landscape and culture," he said, adding that 90 per cent of French people did their traveling at home. "So when they're on holiday they can be a bit stressed, they're not used to things, and this can lead them to be demanding in a way which could be seen as a certain arrogance." http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090709/lf_nm_...france_tourists Well, I don't mind the French so much. It helps that I can speak their language, which they seem to appreciate. But, still, I sometimes wonder what's with these folks. I have some Facebooks friends in France, and they are generally quite nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momentarylapseofreason Posted July 9, 2009 #2 Share Posted July 9, 2009 (edited) Our experiences with the French have been wonderful, while in their country several times. The worst experience so far has been Italy, Tunisia and Turkey. The friendliest people have been in Ireland, New Zealand and the U.S. (for us) Edited July 9, 2009 by momentarylapseofreason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louie Posted July 9, 2009 #3 Share Posted July 9, 2009 i woulent agree, my exprences it always been the English, they complain about everything, want english food, expect everyone to speak english, travel in packs. and not just louts its across the board.many countrys ive been in say the same. they are generally not very liked in europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted July 9, 2009 #4 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Hmm I had great travel experiences in France, Italy and Greece. I was not fond of Turkey at ALL even though the country had wonderful history... Oh heck I would move to Italy in a heartbeat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Silver Thong Posted July 9, 2009 #5 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I have never been to France but here, Quebec is looked at as being rather snooty. I personaly havn't had enough exposure to the French side of Canada so hmmmm maybe I should get out more LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluffybunny Posted July 9, 2009 #6 Share Posted July 9, 2009 I have always had good experiences with the French, but I think it is a matter of how you deal with them. It is funny, because in the US, when someone doesn't speak english, a lot of people get really upset and say "well I wouldn't go to ______ without learning _______ first, so why can't these people have that much consideration?" Often these are the same folks you will see going on vacation in France and raising their voice louder and louder in English trying to order french food and being upset that the waiter doesn't speak English in a place that is supposed to be all about tourism...there seems to be a double standard in my experience. The tourists I see that take the time to read about the culture, what is acceptable, what isn't and at least *try* to speak in the language get treated well, really well. I find that is true of anywhere; and it only makes sense; it is just a matter of respect. Every culture has its' own intricacies that can make for really awkward moments if you do not know about them ahead of time. (Like putting your left hand on a kids head to playfully ruffle his hair in the middle east-I didn't realize why everyone was getting so upset at me until I was told that the left hand was the hand that they...wiped their backside with...sans tp. and on top of that in many places the top of the head isn't a place you touch unless you are family or religious leaders. So poopy hand on the religious spot didn't fly too well in villages in Iraq) So I don't know, I have usually had a good experience. There are always exceptions, but really there are idiots in every country that can make you have a bad day regardless of where they come from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InHuman Posted July 9, 2009 #7 Share Posted July 9, 2009 Opposite for me Thong. French Canadians, atleast the ones I've met (mostly students abroad of families who came here for the weather) were VERY nice. I heard the ones back home (quebec) are pretty racist tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronGhost Posted July 9, 2009 Author #8 Share Posted July 9, 2009 This is actualy a favorite French tale they tell among themselves: After God created France, the beautiful meadowlands, the swelling hills, the fertile soil, the lovely weather -- he realized he had done the job too perfectly. So to compensate, he created the French people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acidhead Posted July 10, 2009 #9 Share Posted July 10, 2009 During the war.. the French were out numbered 5-1.... On the front line a lone soldier was spotted laying down and smoking a cigarette.. When asked why he wasn't fighting anymore he replied, "I've killed my five" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MirrorImage Posted July 10, 2009 #10 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I have never been to France but here, Quebec is looked at as being rather snooty. I personaly havn't had enough exposure to the French side of Canada so hmmmm maybe I should get out more LOL One of my worst experiances with a tourist was a French Canadian woman when I was working for Forest Service. I was on a painting crew, but had been sent in to close a picknick ground because of a forest fire. The lady storms up to me, shoves her stinky kid whos diaper had long ceased to hold the giant load that had been laid in it, and she demanded I hold the kid while she used the bathroom. I explained to her that under my job description babysitting was not listed and that I needed her to use the rest room and leave the area, it was closed due to the fire. She got down right nasty with me, refused to leave, so I had to get law enforcement to remove her (taking them off the more important task of making sure no cars stalled on the road and that no one decided to drive towards the fire for pictures or stupidity). The next day shes at my bosses office trying to get me fired. Oh yeah and the kids diaper...still full and running down its legs. Her parting shot was "In Canada there are no fools like you." My shot was "No, all the fools are on vacation here". Oddly enough my boss said nothing about me going back at her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el midgetron Posted July 10, 2009 #11 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Honestly, all the french hatin makes me ill. However, truth be told, I have never met a french man I like........ During the war.. the French were out numbered 5-1.... On the front line a lone soldier was spotted laying down and smoking a cigarette.. When asked why he wasn't fighting anymore he replied, "I've killed my five" lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cradle of Fish Posted July 10, 2009 #12 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Mhmm, wonderful history... Armenian Genocide, Pontian Greek Genocide, Assyrian Genocide (of all three Turkey denies), Islamification of the Balkans (Albania, Bosnia), kidnapping Christian Greek children to convert into Janissaries... ...wonderful, colorful history. If you look at it that way then England, Germany, Spain, Italy, China, Japan and the USA are the same because they've all done some pretty horrible things too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InHuman Posted July 10, 2009 #13 Share Posted July 10, 2009 The difference is Turkey just shoves all the bad things it's ever done under the rug and acts like it never happened. Also doesn't nullify the contributions it's made to Islamifying the Balkans. Um, its not he only country that tries to cover it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InHuman Posted July 10, 2009 #14 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Okay Japan is an exception, and probably China. Probably china? June 4th is known as "the day nothing important happen, get back to work childs". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsnotoutthere Posted July 10, 2009 #15 Share Posted July 10, 2009 i woulent agree, my exprences it always been the English, they complain about everything, want english food, expect everyone to speak english, travel in packs. and not just louts its across the board.many countrys ive been in say the same. they are generally not very liked in europe. Spoken like a true Irishman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Red Devil Posted July 10, 2009 #16 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Spoken like a true Irishman. And I'm sure the French would agree too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Red Devil Posted July 10, 2009 #17 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I found the Parisians to be pretty bad, arrogant etc. etc. but the French from smaller cities, towns and villages are pretty nice people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mekorig Posted July 10, 2009 #18 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I only have limited experiences with French tourist, but most seems to be very nice, specially the girls. ;P One time, when in Madrid, i was speaking with a guard in the Royal Palace, and he told me that french tourist were the worst, remarking the lenguaje problem (they expect you spoke in french, not them in spanish or english) and general attitude. Again, i can not say anything wrong about them from my personal experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Hill Posted July 10, 2009 #19 Share Posted July 10, 2009 As much as the French are stubborn, patriotic and dare I say it, a little bit racist. You've got to admire em,they don't take any crap from anybody. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoIverine Posted July 10, 2009 #20 Share Posted July 10, 2009 (edited) "The World's Worst Tourists: The French, Tight fisted, rude, arrogant." You see? This is precisely why you beat them. Edited July 10, 2009 by SpIdErCyDe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
She-ra Posted July 10, 2009 #21 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Mhmm, wonderful history... Armenian Genocide, Pontian Greek Genocide, Assyrian Genocide (of all three Turkey denies), Islamification of the Balkans (Albania, Bosnia), kidnapping Christian Greek children to convert into Janissaries... ...wonderful, colorful history. I meant the ruins I visited silly. Ephesis was very interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoIverine Posted July 10, 2009 #22 Share Posted July 10, 2009 (edited) I meant the ruins I visited silly. Ephesis was very interesting... I'll see your Ephesis ruins and raise you one Castle Grey Skull ruins! I win. Edited July 10, 2009 by SpIdErCyDe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hetrodoxly Posted July 10, 2009 #23 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Spoken like a true Irishman. I agree, only from an Irishman, i've had a holiday ruined by Irish chavs (i don't blame all Irish) my daughter had her flight returned to the airport because of drunk Irish passengers (i don't blame all Irish) i've travelled a lot of the world and have had the privilege to meet people from many different cultures who have only shown kindness and consideration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hetrodoxly Posted July 10, 2009 #24 Share Posted July 10, 2009 i woulent agree, my exprences it always been the English, they complain about everything, want english food, expect everyone to speak english, travel in packs. and not just louts its across the board.many countrys ive been in say the same. they are generally not very liked in europe. So what's the difference between a Large group of Irish to a large group of English going to Magaluf? both have the Full English (Irish) Breakfast, both get drunk every night? the difference is the locals think they're all English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoIverine Posted July 10, 2009 #25 Share Posted July 10, 2009 So what's the difference between a Large group of Irish to a large group of English going to Magaluf? both have the Full English (Irish) Breakfast, both get drunk every night? the difference is the locals think they're all English. I think it's the teeth. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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