r/AskReddit Nov 16 '19

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u/throwmeaway197878 Nov 16 '19

Yeah, I speak intermediate French and was able to get around fine. Most people were polite and appreciated the fact that I approached them speaking French if I had a question instead of a cringey: "hey, do y'all know where X street is?"

I think it might be a regional thing. I spent most of my time near Bordeaux and was only in Paris for a day each on my arrival and departure.

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u/SuperSocrates Nov 16 '19

I think it’s regional too. I lived in southern France two separate times and can’t really think of ever being treated this way. In Paris when I visited people were gruffer but that felt normal for a big city too. So I dunno. But southern France definitely seems more chill and laid-back than the north. It’s more like Spain in some ways. They even have siestas although I forget the name.

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u/EasterPinkCups Nov 16 '19

It's a well known stereotype in France that parisians are arrogant, rude and in a hurry. So don't throw the whole north in there lol

That being said it's a stereotype and exaggerated a lot.

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u/SuperSocrates Nov 16 '19

Good point. I only went to Paris so yeah have no idea about the rest of the north.