Posted on 01/19/2024 5:12:45 PM PST by yesthatjallen
Brushing up on language and customs might be worth looking into when visiting a foreign country.
An American TikToker named Angela, known by her social media handle RealPHDFoodie, found that out the hard way after a trek to France didn’t go well, despite her efforts to fit in with the community.
In a recent TikTok video entitled ‘France made me cry,’ Angela travelled to Lyon, France, her first stop in an eight-city solo trek across Europe. A tearful, beret-wearing Angela said she didn’t recommend visiting Lyon if you don’t speak French.
Despite her hat choice, Angela said she couldn’t fit in.
“It’s my first time visiting. To be honest the experience is very isolating,” Angela said, per the Daily Mail. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful city … it has a lot to see and do and discover. But I don’t recommend it for a solo traveller or for someone who doesn’t speak French because it’s a very isolating experience.”
The food and travel influencer described the locals as “very indifferent,” noting she had no problem meeting and socializing with others in Germany and Italy. But in France, people “make you feel bad for not knowing their culture or speaking their language.”
“I haven’t really met anybody here and I’ve been here for five or six days now,” she said. “I almost feel stupid for coming here and spending money. I even bought a French hat. I’m here to learn and explore but the experience is just … I don’t really like it.”
SNIP
(Excerpt) Read more at canoe.com ...
This is the kind of crap our youth are addicted too. Whining and crying over feelings 24/7.
She should have learned Arabic before going to France. They would have treated her better.
Good God, what a wimp. Here mom & dad should be ashamed.
I traveled internationally for two years and worked in 10 countries. I learned “beer” and “bathroom” in five languages. That was all I needed.
Well, the beret was a poor choice - but the French CAN be nasty.
I’m semi-fluent and when I overhear them talking about Americans I love to slap back.
She even bought a French hat. That’s not enough?
I guess they don’t have “Appuyez sur deux pour l’anglais,” on French phone trees.
It’s like those French have a different word for everything.
“RealPHDFoodie”
“PHD” Seriously?
I wonder if she bought it in a second-hand store.
Not real good looking, either - despite the funny colored hat.
Skip France, they are pigs.
"Aha!",he said..."there's the problem. Even we Frenchmen hate Parisians"
“We would like to go to ze hotel!”
Just being a Texan always worked for me in France.
I have to agree with her...about learning the language...hey...there’s an app for that! I was there late September for the WBC World Benchrest Championship. Luckily I saw only the range and about 2 blocks around the hotel. Taco place had menu with pics you could point at, and hotel staff spoke enough English to get by. Btw...it’s a lot easier to fly in and out of Charles de Gaulle with guns than anywhere in the US.
Only if it was as raspberry beret....
She just discovered what previous generations of travellers in France already knew. Many French people just don’t care.
Outside the big cities, I’m told, it’s a different story.
When you land in France, just say:
Je suis un espion!
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