Posted on 10/09/2004 4:39:36 PM PDT by MadIvan
The French are arrogant, rude and surly to foreign visitors.
For once - quelle surprise! - the thought comes not from an embittered tourist but the leading French politician behind a damning report on how the Gallic welcome leaves much to be desired.
Senator Bernard Plasait, a member of France's upper house of parliament, has concluded what millions of visitors have known for years. "Our bad image in this area, the arrogance we are accused of, our refusal to speak foreign languages, the sense we give that it's a great honour to visit us are among the ugly facts of which we should not be proud," reads the first paragraph of his report, commissioned by the government.
"Certainly these accusations don't date from yesterday," the report continues. "In the 18th century, Horace Walpole wrote that he couldn't stand the French. 'I detest them for their insolent and misplaced air of superiority,' he declares.
"Where does this detestable reputation, which is like a ball and chain, come from?" His conclusion is that the French have only themselves to blame for their notoriety.
Mr Plasait's report was commissioned by the prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, after a drop in the number of tourists visiting France last year.
France is still the world's number one tourist destination in terms of numbers. But the report concludes that this is meaningless as a considerable proportion are just passing through on their way somewhere else.
"To claim we are the 'number one tourist destination in the world' doesn't count for anything," says the report. "Among the 75 million visitors counted in 2003 were those who were only crossing the country, once on their way to Spain or Italy and a second time to return home."
The report says a more realistic way of judging is by the annual income from tourists that places France in third position with €30 billion (£20.4 billion) after the United States - €73 billion - and Spain, on €33 billion.
It also says an Ipsos survey of world travellers who were asked which countries they would most like to travel to placed France fourth behind Italy, Spain, Britain and equal to the US.
The government was particularly alarmed by the 21 per cent drop in spending by US visitors to just under €5.2 million, The report focuses on visitors' first impressions of French airports, ports and railway stations - which, it concluded, were "often negative".
It criticised a lack of warmth and professionalism among staff, and a failure to regard the customer as king.
Paris' main airport Charles de Gaulle/Roissy, which handles almost 50 million passengers a year, was singled out for a particular slating. Surly staff, slow baggage handlers, a lack of "Welcome to France" signs, confusing directions, poor transport connections, slow and dirty trains and taxi drivers who do not speak English were among the complaints.
The report also attacks immigration officers for giving a bad impression of the country, singling out those at the Eurostar terminal in London. "Instead of behaving like ambassadors for France, they don't even respond to 'hello' or a smile," it says.
"A welcome without a smile and without warmth is like a cold shower for a traveller who is expecting to be enchanted by a romantic city," says the report. "Our welcome has to be magic, it has to give an image of excellence and availability."
Laurent Monsaigneon, the director of ports in the Cote d'Azur, believes that the problems lie in cultural and social differences. "The Anglo-Saxons and Scandinavians are instilled with a certain attitude very early in infant and primary schools that includes respect and listening to others. The French put more emphasis on performance," he said.
"When Americans are formally introduced, they don't give their names but exchange a few polite words and engage in conversation which is superficial but gives the other person confidence. In France we size each other up on our education and social standing, rather than attempt to find out about the other person. The mediocrity of the tourist welcome 'a la franaise' is due in part to unease during initial contact."
Mr Plasait concludes his report with 81 proposals on how the French can become better hosts. He says that they have to become motivated and enthusiastic. "They have to learn that the tourist is not a nuisance but a benefit. Our welcome is not good enough. This is not a fantasy but a cruel reality."
Leon Bertrand, the minister for tourism, said: "Our aim is to let tourists know that France is trying to improve its welcome, and the French that they have to do better."
The real problem isnt there rudeness (I have been to Paris twice), but their anti western attitude except when attacked. They are wusses and wont even stand up for themselves.
Progress? This is a leap of centuries in on article. There may be hope yet for the French, in say 250 more years.
An old American gentleman arrived in Paris by plane. At French customs he fumbled for his passport. "You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically. The old gent admitted that he had been to France before. "Then, you should know enough to have your passport ready for inspection," snapped the irate official. The American said, "The last time I came to France I did not have to show my passport." "Impossible, old man. You Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in France!" The old American gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then, with the feel of acid on his words, calmly stated, "I assure you,...young man, that when I came ashore on
Utah Beach in Normandy on D-Day in 1944, there were no Frenchmen anywhere on that beach to ask me for my passport"
This aspect of france sucks too.
It's always like that --- Germans trample all over everyone they find in France --- until they meet up with Americans.
You have to understand his definition of "performance".
In France we size each other up on our education and social standing, rather than attempt to find out about the other person.
It is apparently "Social Standing".
Goerge Washington never bothered to waste his time by travelling to Europe. He understood that the future of mankind lay in the New World not the Old. Good enough for him, good enough for me.
If every American got to know our own country better we would be stronger as a nation; and the frenchy-frenchmen could help themselves to all the smelly cheese and over-rated wine we would no longer require.
Of course! He's a loser who is so arrogant he doesn't know he's a loser. He fits right in!
Up until 3 years ago, Paris was my second favorite city to visit after Rome.
Needless to say, I will NEVER go to France ever again as long as I live.
Unfortunately, the French people have ruined forever the beauty of their country.
Now that it's hurting them economically, their bad attitude becomes a problem. I will never travel in France---American dollars are much better spent here. One of the brilliant strokes of the Bush administration was to demonstrate the nature of our so-called allies.
That's right, put lipstick on that pig. That'll fool everybody.
classic...he should have turned right around, boarded a plane and never looked back.
They should have greeter-surrenderers to give visitors an accurate impression of the country. "Welcome! I give up!"
French emphasis...LOL!
Oh, my! That was wonderful! The French are hopeless. They have been underhanded and dishonest for years and years. Happily, their snottiness toward the Muslims they allowed in to perform menial jobs has backfired. The Muslims are breeding like rabbits, while the French are not. Soon they will lose control of their country, their culture, everything. Just wait, those who can afford to will flee, and a good many will come, gasp, to horrible America ruled by that vulgar cowboy. Their treasures at the Louvre will have to be smuggled out to safety lest Islamofascists destroy it all. Guess where these treasures will end up?
A young boy who writes articles for the local paper while attending college recently wrote an article of his ROSY picture of france following his summer there. I knew it was useless to comment to him as his head was more than likely clouded with something other than real clouds. I forwarded the above article to the newspaper and suggested the youngster read what REAL people face when going to france.
You just told them to kiss your American donkey! ROTFL! Thank you. I needed that!
PERFORMANCE? In what regard? Surrender? They're so weak, so filled with cowardice and so devoid of character and conviction that they can't even defend their country. Sorry, but I certainly don't see the french as stalwarts of performance.
Scratching head.
MM
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