Oooh la la, the FRENCH! Wow, are people opinionated… Over the years, I’ve heard all kinds of assumptions about French people via my blog and YouTube comments as well as in person. They range from stereotypical things both positive and negative to more off the wall assumptions… and many times the people saying these things have never been to France and don’t actually know many French people. Go figure. Let’s put these French people myths to rest once and for all!
5 Myths about the French that need to stop!
The Emily in Paris effect is strong. Remember, no one group of people (or place) falls into a certain category across the board, for everyone, all the time.
Let’s get into some myths about the French that I hear over and over (not just from Americans, for the record):
MYTH 1: All French people have bidets in their bathrooms
Funnily enough, the only standalone bidet I’ve seen in a private home was in an elementary school friend’s New Jersey bathroom (not typical of American homes). I’ve actually never come across one in France, except at hotels. That’s not to say they don’t exist, but they definitely aren’t as mainstream as bathtubs or sinks are and are most commonly seen in very old homes.
My house, which was built in the 1950s, doesn’t have one and most new builds don’t really have bidets either. Something gaining popularity in the U.S. are the bidets that attach to your toilet seat. Some of my family members have one and rave about it. It even heats the seat and has colored LED lights that act as a nightlight.
MYTH 2: All French people are well dressed
DEFINITELY not! There are people all over the world who love looking super stylish and put together at all times, those who don’t really care at all, and then a whole bunch of us who fall somewhere in the middle. France is no exception.
That said, just like New Yorkers, Parisians generally tend to be better dressed in their day-to-day lives than people from the countryside.
And French people’s casual is often a step up from what your average American might throw on to run errands. You’ll pretty much never see a French person running out to the store in flannel PJ bottoms.
But no, not all French people look like they stepped off a runway. P.S. They’re not all slim either (although you’ll see fewer obese people in France than the U.S.).
It might surprise you that there is a lot of diversity in how people dress — especially outside of big cities. French women dress for their own personal style (or lack there of), region and climate, budget, activity, and a whole lot of other factors.
A point I want to stress is that French people don’t all dress any one way and they’re certainly not all upper middle class fashionistas.
For the record, you will see the French in sneakers. In shorts. In baseball caps. In casual clothes. In track suits with dirty sneakers. And believe it or not, I regularly see French folks in workout wear hitting up my small-town grocery store after the gym — still in yoga pants and athletic shoes.
The times are a-changin’!
There are loads of French people who dress sloppily and couldn’t care less about labels or looking put together or trendy.
FYI, I wrote a separate post all about French style and how to dress in France that you’ll like.
MYTH 3: All French people speak English (and pretend not to just to annoy tourists)
If you’ve visited other countries in Europe, you might get the impression that all Europeans speak English well, but the French aren’t known for being great at English like those from Nordic countries or the Dutch. There are many French people who studied English in school — in some capacity at least — but the majority aren’t anywhere near fluent.
I’ve heard people say that the French pretend not to speak English as a way to annoy tourists, but I don’t think this is the case at all. Sure, some French people out there might have a chip on their shoulder, but most of the time, people’s inability to speak English comes from a genuine place. They either aren’t capable or aren’t confident.
A word on confidence: French teachers can be a bit harsh and I’ve heard from French people that they were often afraid to speak up as students because they’ve been ridiculed in front of others for making mistakes, so instead of trying, they stay silent. As adults, some French people are a bit hesitant to try and fear sounding stupid.
To this point, I recently asked my French YT followers if they’d help me out with an upcoming video (that’s now been put on the backburner) by recording a quick video clip in English and I only got a couple of responses. Commenters explained that they’re too self-conscious to speak English publicly and risk making a mistake (and be on video) and I 100% believe that to be true.
And yes, of course there are French people who speak great English, like my husband Tom (and Americans who speak great French), but they’re in the minority.
13 Things tourists do that get strange looks from the French >>
MYTH 4: All French people hate Americans
I see this one in my YT comments all the time. Usually, it’s a justification for why someone won’t visit France and it’s not true. Total BS. Really.
I’ve never felt hated by the French for being American. If anything, people are happy to meet their first American in person and go onto ask questions about Hollywood, NYC, and our lifestyle. Many can’t understand why an American would trade in New York for small-town France and ask me why I’m here!
Yes, I’ve had some rude comments over the years but they’ve come from people projecting their own insecurities onto me — not actual hate and not about me.
If anything, the French may not like American politics, policies or the government, but on an individual level, I don’t think French people “hate” Americans just because.
MYTH 5: All French people are experts about wine and cheese or are expert chefs
No, French people aren’t all born with innate knowledge about selecting the perfect wine or properly cutting Brie. They don’t all know how to prepare French dishes from scratch! People seriously believe this stuff because I hear it all the time.
Here’s an example from a few years back: Tom doesn’t drink and my uncle was baffled why he couldn’t help pick a French wine out in the liquor store for Thanksgiving! Well, he doesn’t know anything about wine. And yes, he’s French.
Eating habits in France are learned (like anywhere).
I almost feel silly having to say that but sometimes people assume that France is some kind of utopia where its citizens do everything perfectly and have this specialized knowledge from birth. No, that’s not the case. It depends on the person and their upbringing, habits, and interests.
Not all French people like to cook or even know how. They certainly don’t all shop at the farmers’ market and make every meal from scratch. Believe it or not, McDonald’s is extremely popular in France!
To a degree, that idealistic mealtime notion from days past has faded from view in recent years. French food culture is changing.
When it comes to French meals and eating, I do feel the French get a lot right. I talk more about that in this post about my favorite French mealtime habit.
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What other myths about the French would you add to my list?
P.S. I didn’t include the biggest myth that the French are rude because I covered that here. Also, if you want to talk about rudeness, you’ll like this post on what the French find rude about Americans and what French behaviors might come across rudely to Americans.
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I think something else that most Americans don’t realize is how culturally and linguistically diverse France can be. Whether due to former French colonization or economic migration, I have come across diversity in every city, no matter how small. And that can be refreshing because sometimes, the people who have the most patience (and understanding) with my American-accented French are those who understand what it’s like to learn French as a second (or sometimes, in their cases, third or fourth!) language.
In speaking with my local Turkish kebab restaurant owners, I take the great opportunity to learn about their homeland, their culture, and what they miss in their home country. It’s such a cool cultural intersection between East and West, right in the heart of northeastern France (and conversing in French, since I don’t speak Turkish and they don’t speak English).
Yes, totally agree Johanna! And I’d say that’s a misconception a lot of nationalities have about the French, not just Americans. I love the diversity because it makes me feel more “normal” in a sense. So true about how the people with the most patience are ones who also speak a second language.
It’s amazing that myths like these about whole groups of people or entire countries still persist in the age of information. I think it usually comes from people who don’t really want to learn more about others or grow beyond their own small worldview. Thanks for busting these myths about the French!
Bidets completely disapeared a long time ago. They were already old-fashioned in the 1970’s. By the way, one could only find them in large bathrooms (and bathrooms kept on shrinking with showers often replacing tubs).
Our little French house in a small village in the south was built in the 1980s and had a bidet when we bought it. We took it out to make more room. We do see bidets around here sometimes, but not often. In Italy the law says houses have to have one.
Oh wow, I did not know that about Italy!
I’ve lived in 8 foreign countries and every time I was disabused of my preconceived ideas and prejudices. Same when I came to live in France of course, as you show in your post. But you don’t really know until you live in a place how wrong you can be. I am Dutch and am often surprised about the myths people believe about the Netherlands and the people.
What’s the biggest myth about the Dutch that you come across?
thank you for your notes. i am sorry that you have the virus, but it may be a blessing in disguise, kind of forcing you to rest for a while.
i have read your notes on the myth about French people.
i would like to share what i call an anecdote that was directed at me:
i migrated to Australia in 1969. i was looking for work and a friend in my church said to me” I have found a job for you” my answer of course was “really where, doing what” and then the response, “chef in a restaurant” to what i said “but i do not know how to cook” and then the response, the cliché “but you are French!”.
i appreciate your notes trying to change the attitude of people about the French.
i have had the philosophy of if you have to judge me as a Frenchman, do so, but do not think all French people are like me and do not judge me because of a few French people you have met.
again, thank you for your help in changing the image, may be not so much as changing the image, but rather as improving the image.
You’re very welcome, Jean! Your story illustrates my point perfectly. I think it would’ve been been great if you took the job. Did you? I’m sure they would’ve loved the food you served as a non-chef :-)) hey, you never know!!
Maybe my wife and I am strange or not worried about folks being rude. We’ve only had 2 trips to Paris for extended periods. We have never met a rude person anywhere. We were staring at a map at a bus stop trying to figure out directions. A young mom stepped up and asked us if she could help. We were so grateful as we have heard a French person would never do this!
At a wonderful bistro, our waiter was so much fun. He took pictures for us and even photo bombed one of our pics! Anyhow, we do not worry on this anymore. The world is full of rude and great people.
It is amazing all the rumors we believe are true until we experience it ourselves.
thanks
When we went to Paris a couple years ago, everyone was very nice and helpful. We got confused on the subway ad someone always helped us. Everyone, including all the people in the shops and at the attractions were very riendly, and they could tell by the way we said bonjour that we were definitely American. And I worried way too much about what to pack, and brought a bunch of scarves I never wore. I can’t wait to go back.
You are starting to become a real Frenchwoman: you have dipped your pen in vitriol, it is a compliment. Yes, Americans have a hard time with France and by extension Europe. I remember the comments after the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, between disgust and fascination, then all the comments of jealousy about the venue of the events: the Grand Palais, Versailles, the Eiffel Tower, it cries in advance for Los Angeles 2028.
Concerning American politics, I read, what must be read for the November elections, frankly next to it, French politics is “clean” next to it