FoxHound wrote:natehall wrote:Going on from what was said about if you dislike some culture, visit the country - Well I used to really like the french, until I visited.
As a english student, me and my girlfriend went to Paris and got lost.. We spoke little french but tried our best with the language. However we went to places where we thought there would be people to help - bureu de change, etc.
Out of a couple dozen places we found, and about 4 1/2 hours we found a couple who asked if we wanted to speak english and gave us directions to where we wanted to be (Arc di triumph, we knew our way back from there), and gave us directions.
this put us off the country and ive swore ill never return
The South of France is different. A shame if you don't go back, as the south is very laid back and friendly, unlike the north.
I haven't been to the south yet, but I have to admit that I have never had a problem getting directions in Paris, and am surprised by your statement. My French is extremely limited, but I found two sentences that make most people smile: "je ne parle pas français" and " parlez vous englais?", especially with a strong accent get people talking - they don't seem to like their language being destroyed
. But, just like every big city, not everybody is ready to help, but that has nothing to do with Paris. Btw, I'm American and was traveling with my German wife and German/American son, and even in Dieppe (D-Day landing beach) we were handled very nicely. I have had the same experience in Brussels - managed to find the idiots when asking for directions, but went back and found that the rest weren't that way, and have a great visit, so I would suggest not cementing your opinion from one trip - I've had a bad trip to Paris as well, but won't change my opinion that it is one of the best cities on this planet.
Back on the subject: there's no prejudice here - everyone is an asshole to everyone else
“Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!” Monty Python and the Holy Grail