"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 Japanese ranked top of the Best Tourist survey, with the British and the Germans judged the best of the Europeans.
But French tourists received some consolation for their poor performance, finishing third after the Italians and British for dress sense while on holiday."
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Apart from the language barrier issue, from what I've experienced myself over 30 years living there, if they're as impolite abroad as they are at home, then it's no wonder! I can attribute 90% of the reasons that made me, finally, leave that country( Paris to be accurate) to the general culture of rudeness and uncivility! Too much accumulated hurt!..On the other hand and to be fair, I do hear many Australians who have visited the country say that it wasn't their experience at all. I tend to attribute that to the fact that they especially like Australians..Can't say as much about the Americans though!
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I have found that when you get way from Paris, and visit other parts of France, the people are generally more friendly and polite. In Normandy, for example, there is none of that chilly hauteur that we often encountered in Paris.
ReplyDeleteI've heard that too.
ReplyDeleteFunny, when I lived in Italy we regarded the Germans and the Irish as the worst tourists. But here in the U.S. the Germans I've encountered (really, all tourists) seem very nice. Even though I'm grumpy in the morning and in a hurry I always stop and help them figure out our ridiculously stupid and needlessly difficult Metro machines, and give them directions if I can -- nobody wants to rely on ME for directions, trust me :-P
I'm surprised no one mentioned Americans as the worst tourists.
ReplyDeletevza, depends on where you go, and I am not a tourist traveler...lol I have no problem at the communes :) Molly is right too, especially when you order cooking wine as your drink...LOL
ReplyDeleteI am sure the comrades greeted you with open arms, V!
ReplyDeleteHere you go: Revolution
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pnujhmsx3g
The notion that Americans are the worst tourists has not been true for quite a while, according to the surveys.You occasionally meet obnoxious travelers no matter where you go and I have not noticed they are from any one particular country.
ReplyDeletehehehe...ok
ReplyDeleteThis is no cartoon :)
ReplyDeleteOf course! Almost anywhere else is fine! Just void the Parisians! Trust me, I've been one!
ReplyDeleteIn Australia, the worst tourists are considered to be the British...Maybe some x colonial issues here but they're perceived as supreme whingers. Nothing is ok! Weather too hot! People are badly dressed(true by the way!), food is crap, etc..
ReplyDeleteIn Australia, the worst tourists are considered to be the British...Maybe some x colonial issues here but they're perceived as supreme whingers. Nothing is ok! Weather too hot! People are badly dressed(true by the way!), food is crap, etc..On the other hand, the French are greatly appreciated maybe because the feeling is mutual, I donno...
ReplyDelete"People are badly dressed(true by the way!)"
ReplyDelete:-D
vza
ReplyDeleteAll perceptions and impressions about other peoples are merely cliches and stereotypes. I've met wonderful American tourists in Paris but some really obnoxious ones too. It all depends on many things. Generally speaking I found the Parisians particulary haughty and intolerant. There are exceptions of course but when on a daily basis you have many opportunities for a potential argument or fight over many years you tend to see a pattern...Just a little glimpse...Few years ago my wife wanted to visit her family in the South East of France and asked me to go with her. Reluctantly I decided to go with her but I'd stay mostly in Paris to see my friends. One day I wanted to give her a call from a phone booth that only accepts phone cards mostly available from Newspapers kiosks..So there I went and asked for one but that guy looked at me and talked to me in a very insulting manner. I could not understand the reason until he explained in shouting that I better buy a paper with it!
vza
ReplyDeleteAll perceptions and impressions about other peoples are merely cliches and stereotypes. I've met wonderful American tourists in Paris but some really obnoxious ones too. It all depends on many things. Generally speaking I found the Parisians particulary haughty and intolerant. There are exceptions of course but when on a daily basis you have many opportunities for a potential argument or fight over many years you tend to see a pattern...Just a little glimpse...Few years ago my wife wanted to visit her family in the South West of France and asked me to go with her. Reluctantly I decided to go with her but I'd stay mostly in Paris to see my friends. One day I wanted to give her a call from a phone booth that only accepts phone cards mostly available from Newspapers kiosks..So there I went and asked for one but that guy looked at me and talked to me in a very insulting manner. I could not understand the reason until he explained in shouting that I better buy a paper with it!
I have thousands of similar stories but maybe I should be more nuanced...Paris is a wonderful, fabulous, extraordinary city...It's just a shame it's full of Parisians!LOL.
ReplyDeleteTaxis who would ask you where you're going before they accept you and wouldn't if they deem the distance too short!
ReplyDeleteShop owners( cafes, bar- tabac etc.) who wouldn't accept to give you directions if you lost your way !!! "We're not an information desk, Monsieur!!"..Ok, not systematically, but it happened many times!! I was always apprehensive of asking people for directions, I swear!!! Scared!!
I experienced a little of that, too. One summer we exchanged residences with a French couple. They came to the U.S. and we stayed in their apartment in Paris. It was great. No hotel living! We did get a glimpse into everyday living off the tourist route and I must say that while a few of the people in the building were very nice and helpful when asked, most remained aloof and could barely nod their heads when we said good morning or hello (In French!) as we passed them each day.
ReplyDeleteThe taxis! I know just what you mean. We made a joke of it after awhile. We asked directions as a last resort because it was hardly ever an easy thing to do!
I would walk to a nearby internet cafe each day, to check email and such and loved to talk to everybody there. They were very friendly and lots of fun. Wouldn't you know? Most of the people in there were immigrants and the friendliest people I met in my entire time there!
TERRORIZING THE TOURISTS
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k7U-_tJVmw
LOL
When I visited Australia the first time I just couldn't believe my eyes!! Everybody was smiling and friendly, taking their time, laid back, patient, helpful and polite! At the super market the women serving cheese would ask me if I wanted to have a taste before I buy! HUH!?? I used to wander what was going on! It made me realise, by contrast, how bad the situation was back home..I wanted to be here at any cost.. The shops, the people in the streets, daily life was smooth and pleasent!..ok, it changed a lot since but still, nothing like Paris! Shudder!
ReplyDeleteYou're right vza, the friendliest people in Paris are foreigners...That makes a lot of friendly people too. Unfortunately after a good while we end up being the same!! I could see myself in the end, being just like the others sometimes and hate myself for it!!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're right vza, the friendliest people in Paris are foreigners...That makes a lot of friendly people too. Unfortunately after a good while many end up adopting attitude!! I could see myself in the end, being just like the others, sometimes, and hate myself for it!!
ReplyDeleteOh this is a great one! Very funny!
ReplyDeleteI suppose you would have to adapt or else be in a constant state of distress.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, Paris is a fabulous city....but I would not want to live there!
THIS IS LIKE AMERICAN TOURISTS SPEAKING FRENCH
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN9mP2_1A-c
a constant state of distress.
ReplyDelete------------
Oh! Yes...Excatly the words I was looking for..Growing bitter...Ageing prematurely with a more frequent bouts of severe depressions..becoming agoraphobic, Francophobic..finding solace in museums and quasi-deserted luxury shoe shops(lol), and in the company of those who are similarly suffering ! I knew many..Those were my friends! :)
The wife is saying that things have much improved since we left, really! Especially since the new mayor, Bernard Delanoe, has been elected and the economy has improved(?) and people are less pessisimistic..but then again, she's a socialist!
ReplyDeleteThe wife is saying that things have much improved since we left, really! Especially since the new mayor, Bernard Delanoe, has been elected and the economy has improved(?) and people are less pessimistic..but then again, she's a socialist!
ReplyDelete"finding solace in museums and quasi-deserted luxury shoe shops(lol)"
ReplyDelete:-D :-D :-D
Smile for the rich foreigner, bow and scrape, and hope for a big tip.
ReplyDeleteLes Français ne sont pas des lécheurs de cul.
Soon that will be the stance in the states
ReplyDeleteDamn right! No ass-kissing of those bourgeoisie travelers. Who the hell are they to expect basic courtesy when asking for directions or a ride in a Taxi? The Workers are gods. We must march, my darlings!
ReplyDeleteDamn right! No ass-kissing of those bourgeoisie travelers. Who the hell are they to expect basic courtesy when asking for directions or a ride in a taxi? The Workers are gods. We must march, my darlings!
ReplyDelete