Who said the French were rude?

Bonjour!

There seems to be the perception in America that the French, particularly in Paris, are rude to Americans or just plain rude. We did not find that to be true when we were there at the beginning of the year. Ok-we did have a rather surly waiter when we ate at a restaurant on the Champs Elysee, but that was a stereotype we could live with. We went to Paris after having brushed up on French that I haven't used since high school (that's been a really long time) and many times would ask in French if they spoke English and used French as often as we could. Everyone we encountered-at the airport, at the hotel, in shops, in the train station, at the restaurant-spoke English when we asked if they did. Some were better than others and between their limited English and my limited French we were able to figure it out. Often they volunteered-apparently we must look quite American. Someone also overheard us when we were having difficulties buying tickets for the Metro and volunteered to help us. I think if you show some respect and attempt to use the language of the place you're traveling, people may be more apt to help you. So if you're traveling anywhere soon, take the time to learn a few phrases and hope that you'll find someone that speaks English, which is very likely.

In Greece, where the pilot is a native, the situation is the same. I don't have the same worry there since that is the pilot's native language. His cousin told us that learning English is mandatory in the schools. America could learn a lesson by requiring students to learn another language. The world is increasingly becoming a smaller place and travel to places outside the United States is not such a rarity any more.

Au revoir!