CERTAIN AMERICANS very successfully spread a word: French people are rude. It is possible that ~when they were raised~ those Americans were deprived of values, principles, and standards mandatory to learn what finesse is all about. One day, they visited France and confronted reality.
What you just read means that if anyone is visiting France ~or your own home or mine~ he must be kind, respectful, and considerate BEFORE expecting kindness, respect, and consideration.
Unlike Mexicans that live in the U.S.A. [Incapable to decipher on their own that they are in someone else's country, and to act accordingly] you must act accordingly. You do so by becoming aware that you are in French people's country. You are expected to denote finesse and consideration by NOT approaching them speaking in English. Like Mexicans in U.S.A., if you are incompetent to decipher why it is so, then, you likely confront reality. You will not admit it, and you spread the word: French people are rude.
On the other hand...
Can you demonstrate that you have been raised by fine folks; that they taught you how to be a fine person; that high human qualities, values, and principles were passed on to you; that you feel embedded your obligation to be kind, respectful, and considerate to others everywhere you go; and that you are competent to learn ?
Then, centuries-old traditions and culture, exquisite entertainment and shows, heavenly meals and fine wines, interacting with refined people, fine art, and experiencing what is perceived as the handwriting of the mastermind behind nature are each well suited to go hand-in-hand with you on your way to be rewarded, enriched, and cultivated.
A basic encounter to not find French people rude.
You politely approach a French person and offer one simple salutation such as Bonjour. You may want to be more elaborated by saying Bonjour Monsieur or Bonjour Madame. If you do not know the marital status of a woman, you treat her as Mademoiselle. Other sentences are Thank You for which you say Merci ~or Merci Beaucoup preferably~ and Good Bye for which you say Au Revoir.
Let's imagine a more elaborated encounter.
You approach a man, and with a smile, you politely say... "bonjour monsieur. je ne parle pas le francaise. parlez vous l'anglais ?" Do not panic. I found you a solution to say it correctly, but you must say it along with the other words above even if you read from a sheet of paper which would be a charming act. (!)
Possessing those manners known to finer people make a mountain-like difference when approaching French people. They will notice that you are NOT one of the folks they know or heard about because you offered a proper salutation with a smile. Then, you denoted consideration recognizing being in their country by NOT approaching them speaking in English. Lastly, you showed that you have a brain to learn.
Once in France, you will see that French People Are Rude was originated with the kind of Americans deprived of human qualities, principles, and all standards necessary to know why ~when visiting France or your home or mine~ they must provide kindness, respect, and consideration to others BEFORE expecting kindness, respect, and consideration.
If you possess the manners known to finer people,
then, Bon Voyage to the land of Renoir and Voltaire !
About Author Mr. George Josserme
COPY the sentence you see below. Then, go to http://translate.google.com/ and PASTE it inside the box. Finally, CLICK ON Speaker Icon to hear how to pronounce it correctly. Do the same with Thank You and Good Bye. Now... practice, practice, practice.
Bonjour Monsieur. Je ne parle pas le française. Parlez vous l'anglais ?
