Stereotypes

In the French imagination, Americans are sloppy fast-food eaters.  In the American imagination, the French are rude wine-drinkers with mistresses.  The wine part is true, I don't know about mistresses, but today I'll share my view on the "rude" stereotype (just as I contradict the American fast-food stereotype every chance I get).    

I have yet to come across a rude person in France.  I've been around the city, asking for directions, buying things in broken French, dining out, and everyone has always been cordial.  In fact, French people tend to be more polite than the average American.  They follow a set of courtesies.  For example, every time you get on the bus, you greet the driver with a "bonjour" or "bonsoir."  Every time you get off the bus, you say "merci, au revoir."  Every time.  And they always bid their passengers a good day.  Likewise, when entering a shop, always greet the salesperson, even if they're occupied.  They claim that to not do so would be like entering someone's house and not saying hello.

I spend a lot of time on public transportation so I've had the chance to observe the following: it's still commonplace for someone to give up his or her seat for an elderly person or someone who looks like they need it.  It still happens in the U.S. (right? I hope?) but I'm impressed with the consistency of it here.  Should an old lady get on a bus, she's offered a seat without fail.

Living in the south of France might skew my perception of French manners.  Apparently France is composed like the United States, with the "friendly" people living in the south-- maybe the warm air puts them in a better mood than their northern counterparts.  That makes New York City analogous to Paris-- home to the rushed, rude, tourist-sneering city-dwellers.  Maybe there I will run into the stereotypical Frenchman.  I'll let you know because I'll be there in two days!