[thesharkboy]

Hasn’t been my experience. I always heard they were rude and didn’t try to do anything for non french speakers. It seemed the opposite to me.

That wasn't my experience either. I was there six months ago, and the Parisians I met and spoke to in my very imperfect French couldn't have been more friendly, patient, and polite. This was in both the tourist and very non-tourist areas, and included strangers who offered me help when I had trouble with my Metro pass.

[scottiemom]

I admire you for learning even what you described as “imperfect” French. That is exactly what most tourists to France (and indeed, to any European country) need to remember. It is the attempt at speaking the language of the natives in that country that endears the tourist. Few Americans have acquired a second language, whereas English is required to be mastered in most of the European countries.