Hi everybody !
I am French, I am living in Sheffield and I feel very curious tonight :

I already asked this question before to some of my British friends, but I am afraid that they answered me too gently or in a politically correct way.
So, what do you, BRITISH people from Sheffield, really think about french people ? How do you describe us in few words ? what are our qualities and defects ?


Thank you !!!
And don't be afraid to be honest....I have to know if I have to hide when walking into the streets, pretending I am mute !:D

Hello Nathalie
On a political level: for many years I was taken in by the sniping from the British media and politicians about French economic protectionism. I now realise that the French have been valiantly trying to maintain a relaxed quality of life and I take my hat off to them for their efforts in trying to curb the worst excesses of globalisation.

Hi everybody !
I am French, I am living in Sheffield and I feel very curious tonight :

I already asked this question before to some of my British friends, but I am afraid that they answered me too gently or in a politically correct way.
So, what do you, BRITISH people from Sheffield, really think about french people ? How do you describe us in few words ? what are our qualities and defects ?


Thank you !!!
And don't be afraid to be honest....I have to know if I have to hide when walking into the streets, pretending I am mute !:D

I admire the French for standing up to protect their culture, not succumbing to the English language as so many other countries have. Standing up if they believe they're right, like in the build up to the Iraq war when they refused to be drawn onto a petty squabble about a second resolution and stood by their belief that dropping bombs on a civilian population wont resolve anything and will only entrench hostility against the West.

I like their art, food, architecture and dare I say well placed superiority complex. A country that must look across the English Channel watching our binge drinking pregnant teenagers destroying out towns and cities every weekend night, whilst the French calmly drink in their street cafes in Le Mans, Rouen and Tours.

I find the culture in parts of London much more akin to France, but outside enclaves around the country we behave, well publicly at least atrociously.

When ever I've visited France, Italy, Spain (not the English waste lands on the Costas), Belgium and the Netherlands I've come back feeling immensely jealous.

French people are proud of their country and culture and protecting it in the face of globalisation.

I like the French for the same reason, as other people dislike them.

I don't know exactly what to say, I wasn't expecting that kind of answers !
I think that I love my country much more now !
Thank you very much !

I spent a fair amount of time in the south and found the attitude of the people there to my liking and I was comfortable with it. The people I knew seemed quite philosophical too.
Paris though....much like London except a little more razor sharp.

Paris though....much like London except a little more razor sharp.
That says nothing for Londoners then Tish when they are placed second to pouting petulant workshy capitulating johnny foreigner. :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Paris though....much like London except a little more razor sharp.

I totally agree...that's true that Paris is a very stressful city. Moreover, even if it's a very beautiful city, it is not really representative of the rest of France.
I think that it's maybe the same thing for London, compared to the rest of the UK ?

I can't say i have had many dealings with Parisiennes but on the few occasions I have, they have been very piquant. I have no friends in Paris though so it's hard to say really.

Now sense of humour....that's an interesting topic though isn't it. I actually got used the the French sense of humour, after some time, but I have to say it isn't as sophisticated as the British sense of humour. It can be quite jeuvenile and sarcastic, but sarcastic in a nasty way, not like British sarcasm where it is more tongue in cheek.

I did like the emotional aspects of the French people though...saying a lot with a few words.

I totally agree...that's true that Paris is a very stressful city. Moreover, even if it's a very beautiful city, it is not really representative of the rest of France.
I think that it's maybe the same thing for London, compared to the rest of the UK ?
Yes, there was a recent thread on London:

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=167599

One word - lucky. You have some of the finest wines and cheeses in the world, gorgeous landscape, a pretty decent landmark in your capital and some very stylish movies.

French sense of humour ... It can be quite jeuvenile and sarcastic, but sarcastic in a nasty way, not like British sarcasm where it is more tongue in cheek.

That's completely true...now that I am living here I understand that. There are mainly 2 kinds of French humour : the "Humour gras"...or "fat humour", which can be very sexist, or talking about poo, fart and all these delicate subjects, and the "humour noir" or "Dark humour" which is talking about very sad subjects in a humoristic way.
British sense of humour is generally more sophisticated and clever. However, do you know that "Benny Hill" was a great succes in France some years ago, and most of French people think that it's a typically English humour ? ;)

I had a French teacher at School who was actually French (originally, she'd lived in Sheffield for years) called Miss Townshend... Very strict iirc, but I still seemed to like her for some reason.

I had a French teacher at School who was actually French (originally, she'd lived in Sheffield for years) called Miss Townshend... Very strict iirc, but I still seemed to like her for some reason.

And there I was thinking you hated everybody but Bill Gates! :hihi:

(Only kidding Rich)

And there I was thinking you hated everybody but Bill Gates! :hihi:

(Only kidding Rich)

Right, that's one crossed off the Christmas card list... :rant: :hihi:

Hi everybody !
I am French, I am living in Sheffield and I feel very curious tonight :

I already asked this question before to some of my British friends, but I am afraid that they answered me too gently or in a politically correct way.
So, what do you, BRITISH people from Sheffield, really think about french people ? How do you describe us in few words ? what are our qualities and defects ?


Thank you !!!
And don't be afraid to be honest....I have to know if I have to hide when walking into the streets, pretending I am mute !:DIve never been to France, Nathalie, and the only french person Ive met is a girl who married my nephew.I must say she is one of the nicest persons I have ever met.

I must admit I rather like France and the French (at least those I've met!) To be honest I think a lot of the antipathy between the French and British is because we are so similar *dons asbestos culottes*!

Of course this thread begs the question - how have you found England and the English so far?

I backpacked all the way through France and found the people I met to be very friendly and helpful. I hate it when people make presumptions about people just because of the country they come from. Every person should be judged on how they are not on their nationality.

I've been to France twice, both times it was Southern France (Brittany area iirc), once with School and then a few years later with College, and loved it, I can now go in a French pub and order something a bit more substantial than a Stella anyway, I got Stellas before cos they were the only French beer I could pronounce the name of... Still wouldn't eat Frog's legs though :gag: even thinking about eating them makes me go all funny.

Brittanny = NOT Southern France
Stella = Belgian Beer

I've been to France twice, both times it was Southern France (Brittany area iirc), once with School and then a few years later with College, and loved it, I can now go in a French pub and order something a bit more substantial than a Stella anyway, I got Stellas before cos they were the only French beer I could pronounce the name of... Still wouldn't eat Frog's legs though :gag: even thinking about eating them makes me go all funny.

Rich old chap, Brittany is in northern France and Stella is from Belgium!

Anyway, i've spent loads of time in France and have found the natives to be fine with us Brits if you make the effort to speak their language, asking for something in English with a French accent never works!

The only execption to this is an island off the west coast - il de oleron. Here, the British are about as welcome as a turd in a swimming pool :rant:

I've been to France twice, both times it was Southern France (Brittany area iirc), once with School and then a few years later with College, and loved it, I can now go in a French pub and order something a bit more substantial than a Stella anyway, I got Stellas before cos they were the only French beer I could pronounce the name of... Still wouldn't eat Frog's legs though :gag: even thinking about eating them makes me go all funny.

Sorry, but your post shows how ignorant you are about France.

That's completely true...now that I am living here I understand that. There are mainly 2 kinds of French humour : the "Humour gras"...or "fat humour", which can be very sexist, or talking about poo, fart and all these delicate subjects, and the "humour noir" or "Dark humour" which is talking about very sad subjects in a humoristic way.
British sense of humour is generally more sophisticated and clever. However, do you know that "Benny Hill" was a great succes in France some years ago, and most of French people think that it's a typically English humour ? ;)

Sadly a lot of people in many countries think Benny Hill is typically English humour.

I had a French teacher at School who was actually French (originally, she'd lived in Sheffield for years) called Miss Townshend... Very strict iirc, but I still seemed to like her for some reason.

Insightful and eloquent as ever, Rich. Keep it up now...

They are like most other nations.
Some individuals are the kindest, friendliest souls of the earth and some can be the rudest, ignorant fools you will ever meet.

However, do you know that "Benny Hill" was a great succes in France some years ago, and most of French people think that it's a typically English humour ? ;)

Yes, yes, lol that is what I'm talking about :hihi:

I tried to introduce my friends to Monty Python and it didn't go down very well at all.

Like I say though, I got used to it and eventually could appreciate the humour.

I love France (the bits I have been too anyway) The friendliest people we have met, are from around Perros Guirec in Brittany. My son has never gotten over being kissed on both cheeks.

i admire how the french stick together

Of course this thread begs the question - how have you found England and the English so far?

I think many french people in France have a lot of prejudices concerning british people and they take these prejudices for true.
Some of them see you as invaders buying all our nice properties in the countryside, others see you as exentric people drinking tea all the day or even addicted to beer.(I really don't believe that ! please, don't hit me ! I'am not responsible for them...:blush: )
But every french would say that british people are "flegmatiques" (phlegmatic) : staying quiet and reasonable in every situation even in the worth ones, that is why they are considered as real "gentlemen". And fortunately, besides Benny Hill, a lot of french people know the Monty python and appreciate British sense humour.
Of course prejudices are not the truth !
I have to say that all the british people I met were very welcoming, friendly and kind with a very good sense of humour and , I admit, a "flegmatique" attitude ( except, maybe, on the friday evening...:hihi: )

Our family holiday in France every year and love it.

The people are very similar to those in any country - the majority are friendly and helpful and a few wouldn't give you the time of day.

Like many people have already pointed out - it does help if you speak a little French.

French people are warm, honest and sincere. They are a proud and strong nation because the country boasts a lot of which they can be proud. They have the right attitude and understand the important things in life, not wasting time over trivialities. They enjoy the finest food, speak the most beautiful language, and have the most breath-taking country. (Paris being the most spectacular city in the world). I spent the happiest 6 months of my life there, and would move there tomorrow if I could. Contrary to what many people say...they are NOTHING like the Spanish (urgh! and I can say that because I am half-Spanish myself...albeit a very English one).
(Apologies to any Spanish folk out there - bad experiences prevail).

whaaaaa!! So, according to british people, french people have no defects ?;)
I 'm a little bit surprised...

That says nothing for Londoners then Tish when they are placed second to pouting petulant workshy capitulating johnny foreigner. :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

Pffft! says he who never ventures south of Watford Gap .... :rolleyes:

The French are fine by me Nathalie honey, but then you probably knew that anyway :D

Vive la difference!

I have been to France a number of times and can agree with some of the positive comments that have been made but have got to say that some of the people can be very arrogant and more worrying is the resent inner-city riots.

There seems to be simmering racial tension which is waiting to boil over and I include anti British in that, remember roast beef and nazi symbols being drawn on war graves.

[QUOTE=Malky] more worrying is the resent inner-city riots.

QUOTE]
Sorry, but I don't understand "inner-city riots" ...What are you refering to ?

The French are fine by me Nathalie honey, but then you probably knew that anyway :D

Vive la difference!

Yes lizz ! And vive les echanges culturels !!

The riots went on for days in the suburbs of Paris and then spread to other large cities, burning of cars etc.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4405620.stm

The riots went on for days in the suburbs of Paris and then spread to other large cities, burning of cars etc.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4405620.stm

OK, I didn't understand the word "riots". Yes, that happened last year. It was the dramatic consequence of an actual (and old) injustice concerning the people living in the french "banlieues" (suburbs of big cities).
We are many in France to be preoccupied by this situation, and we hope that their life will improve and that they will find the place they deserve in the French society.

Did you heard a lot about this french problem in UK ?

...they are NOTHING like the Spanish (urgh! and I can say that because I am half-Spanish myself...albeit a very English one).
(Apologies to any Spanish folk out there - bad experiences prevail).


You must have been very unlucky in your experiences. I have no Spanish blood, but lived there for eight years, and found them to be far more friendly than the French, British or Germans, all of whom are more similar than they would like to admit.
Many people from the northern countries mistake the Spanish lack of insincere politeness for a lack of respect. They do, of course, have their fair share of nasty people, but the general culture is much more based around sharing and being tolerant of other people than the Northern culture, with it's pretence of politeness which serves as a mask to what people are really thinking and feeling.

Did you heard a lot about this french problem in UK ?


The problem came across as a racist problem, with immigrants not happy with their plight.

Years ago England had similar riots and it looked like it was the same kind of trouble starting again.

Riots, it's a bit like 'rillettes' Nathalie, but with less fat.

:hihi:

I think many french people in France have a lot of prejudices concerning british people and they take these prejudices for true.

I've scan read this thread and cant see much about the way the press, comedians and popular culture at the time of the recent Iraqi invasion has influenced us against the French. I get the impression you were not inside the uk at this time? Were you, I assume this thread wouldnt exist as our relationship with France was stretched out in the spotlight and manipulated to near propaganda levels and you would have had your question answered already. Old Enmities and historical events like Agincourt were dredged up and it didnt help that at the time you were in out 'bad books' due to French political positioning on farm subsidies and also immigration management whilst on French soil.

Now the tide has turned against the 'war', the immigration question has blown itself horse in the papers (for now), and farm subsides literally hasnt been mentioned since anti French feeling has died down I feel.

Its left a bad after taste, though, and French military victory jokes are still memorised. However the people posting on this thread arnt really being polite. They all clearly have real life positive experiences that the above events cant bleach out plus most here realise that the above mentioned gripes are with the French government rather than the populace. As mentioned in other posts, the riots and traditional strikes have been publicised in a favorable light recently as were half enviously look on realising that we also are similarly affected by the same issues you are.

others see you as exentric people drinking tea all the day or even addicted to beer.(I really don't believe that ! please, don't hit me ! I'am not responsible for them...:blush: )

But our young people are addicted to alcohol and our old people really do sit around drinking tea all day. Also, at least 98% of us have never watched more than 5 minutes of Benny Hill in our lives.

:hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

My son has never gotten over being kissed on both cheeks.
That'll teach him to lace his boots before leaving the house :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:


Pffft! says he who never ventures south of Watford Gap .... :rolleyes:

Vive la difference!
Oi cheeky mare! I'm a regular on the Isle of Wight if you don't mind!

AND I've been to the Munich Beer Festival! - well I was on the photos but I don't remember much of it :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

:hihi: :hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

It was for Lizz's post! Sorry!

whaaaaa!! So, according to british people, french people have no defects ?;)
I 'm a little bit surprised...

There's an enormous amount of snobbery and racism in france. How's that? Oh and their farmers set sheep alight as a form of political protest.

I get the impression you were not inside the uk at this time? Were you, I assume this thread wouldnt exist as our relationship with France was stretched out in the spotlight and manipulated to near propaganda levels and you would have had your question answered already. Old Enmities and historical events like Agincourt were dredged up and it didnt help that at the time you were in out 'bad books' due to French political positioning on farm subsidies and also immigration management whilst on French soil.

No, I wasn't inside the UK at this time and I didn't know ! That's interesting, thank you

Oh and their farmers set sheep alight as a form of political protest.
G E R R A W A Y ? ? :o I thought it was for a quickee divorce type action



:hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

i admire how the french stick together

is that down to their personal hygeniene? :hihi:

I have heard the term "cheese eating surrender monkeys" from somewhere, but i can't remember where (anyone care to enlighten me?) :confused:

Okay, thats the jokes out of the way. :D ;)
Only been to France once (calais to be precise). People seemed friendly and quite helpful to near non french speaking folks like me.

I too admire the way the french people, the farmers and truckers at least, stick up for themselves where as we tend to stay quiet and not cause a fuss :mad: I think we should be more like that.

The only thing i'd do is block the Chunnel up to stop so many "asylum seekers" coming through. :|

There's an enormous amount of snobbery and racism in france.

Why do you believe that ? I'm sorry, but I'm not sure there's a lot of differences between our two countries...

Why do you believe that ? I'm sorry, but I'm not sure there's a lot of differences between our two countries...

Yes, and why does he believe French farmers set sheep alight. Maybe it's when they struggle too much. :hihi:

Why do you believe that ? I'm sorry, but I'm not sure there's a lot of differences between our two countries...

I just didn't want to disappoint you - you seemed so crestfallen that there were no negative comments made so far.

I've been to Normandy, Brittany, Paris, Ile de Re and quite a few places in between. I've always enjoyed good hospitality and, for the most part, a quiet tolerance of and patience with my broken French, by the french.

You're quite right of course, rxcept the British class system still has royalty at the top. You did the right thing, it turned out in the end.

**edit
Yes, and why does he believe French farmers set sheep alight. Maybe it's when they struggle too much. :hihi:

I'm sure they did once. Back in the "Maggie vs The Rest of the EEC" days.

Yes, and why does he believe French farmers set sheep alight. Maybe it's when they struggle too much. :hihi:
:hihi: :hihi: :hihi:

I just didn't want to disappoint you - you seemed so crestfallen that there were no negative comments made so far.

ok ! You were right : it was a good negative comment:D

And...we mainly set cows alight... We don't have a lot of sheeps in France !;)

I have heard the term "cheese eating surrender monkeys" from somewhere, but i can't remember where (anyone care to enlighten me?) :confused:


I like the new phrase similar to this to describe the Americans:

"Burger eating invasion monkeys" :D

One 'non-criticism' I have is..French students don't know how to have fun!!! Whilst I was studying at Uni in Paris, the number of times the studious geeks in the rooms adjacent to mine in the halls of residence came to tell me to turn down my music as they were trying to study (on weekends!!!) was beyond belief. No fun was to be had with the Frenchies I'm afraid. 9pm Saturday night was revision time as far as they were concerned...'Ce n'est pas une boite de nuit!' Oh my GOD!!!!