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10 things you need to know about French people

There are many books that have been written striving to explain to foreigners how French people think and behave: 60 million Frenchmen can’t be wrong ; What makes the French so French ; The Bonjour Effect: the Secret Codes of French Conversation Revealed. 

 

 

In this article, we have selected the top 10 clichés you need to know about French people - we will leave it up to you to decide which ones are true. You wish to dig further into French culture? The best way is to get a job in Paris! At Mômji we have over 2500 English speaking Jobs in Paris and all-over France available every year! 

 

 

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French cliché No. 1: French people are rude

 

A famous stereotype of French people is that they are rude and impolite but as a matter of fact, most of them are very well behaved and they will treat you with respect holding the door for you or saying “S’il vous plait Monsieur” and “Je vous en prie Madame”.

 

 

 

French cliché No. 2:  French people smoke a lot and do not worry that much about their health

 

In France, there is a huge phenomenon of social smoking and it pushes the French to start smoking at a very young age. Most of them will try to quit with a bunch of patches and medication but many fail and continue. French people still think it is quite classy to smoke, even though cigarette packs are ridiculously expensive.

 

 

 

French Cliché No. 3: French people are great lovers

 

Romance, courting, French kissing, “dîner en tête à tête”, French people invented it all. Couples wouldn’t go to any kind of place for a romantic dinner, they always try to go to nice restaurants and men especially enjoy saying a few verses of a poem to the girl they are flirting.

 

 

 

French cliché No. 4: The French know everything about the Tour de France

 

The biggest cyclist race of the world takes place in France but no French actually likes this sport or watches it on TV. Foreigners usually know more about the Tour than the French themselves.

 

 

 

French Cliché No. 5: French people like to chill

 

Although French people seem to be running everywhere in large cities, they like to chill on weekends and spend hours walking in parks, sitting in cafés and being with their family.

 

 

 

French Cliché No. 6: French people are very proud of their country and culture

 

It’s true it’s not very common to see French people holding their flag or singing the national anthem in the streets, except if they are from the extreme right-wing, but they usually do think they have the best language, the best food, the best landscapes. They are proud of their History and love debating about it and talking about politics.

 

 

 

French cliché No. 7: French people don't wash every day.

 

Even though a lot of people like making jokes about the cleanness of French men and women, they do wash every day, well… at least most of them! At any rate, French people like applying on themselves the finest perfumes and use them on all occasions.

 

 

 

French cliché No. 8: The French know how to speak English… they just don’t want to!

 

French people are usually famous for not speaking English but they actually do as they learn it from a very young age at school and it is usually a criterion for any job nowadays. However, some enjoy speaking it with a very strong French accent, which a lot of people think is sexy, and others are just too lazy to speak English in their own country.

The french people are not the only ones having trouble with the accent, take a look at our article about the english people having trouble with the french pronounciation.

 

 

 

French Cliché No. 9: The French complain a lot and everything is a good reason to go on a strike

 

Their work unions are very important. If it is not metro drivers striking, it will be teachers or construction workers. Some people say the French strike because it is in their nature to complain but others think it shows that the French stand up for their rights.

 

 

 

French cliché No. 10: French people love eating… French food!

 

As you may know, French food is the most glamorous food in the world and French people are fond of it: From pastries (croissant, pain au chocolat, pain aux raisins) to sophisticated dishes (boeuf bourguignon, ratatouille, blanquette de veau, pot-au-feu), the French cuisine never gets boring.

 

Last but not least, you must know that even though French people are nicknamed Froggies and snail-eaters, these dishes are actually considered as very gourmet that the French may eat very occasionally and that most of them dislike.

 

If you like french food, discover 4 easy french recipes.

 

Of course the best way to know more of the French people and understanding their way of thinking and culture is actually spending time with them. When you travel to France, try your best to get in touch with the French. For instance there are groups on Facebook that can help you. If you like a sport in particular, sign up to a gym or to a group of fans or go to a bar when the PSG is playing. The same applies for art or dancing.

 

Another great way is working as an English teacher or a baby-speaker through an agency, such as Mômji that offers many jobs to foreigners with French families or companies. Have a look at our English speaking jobs in Paris France, there you will find jobs in Paris France for foreigners and jobs for Americans in Paris France such as nanny jobs in Paris France.

 

 

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