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Disclaimer: Following the many emails I’ve received, I would like to say that this article – just like the rest of this blog for that matter – is trying to be tongue-in-cheek. I am not actually anti-American. I do not think that Americans are all ugly, fat and stupid. I know right… I’m so avant-garde!
Olivier
Parisians have a bit of a different physiology. Things like a certain inability to smile are quite well known expressions of this phenomenon. Some are much lesser known: an interesting experience when chatting with a Parisian is to place the words ”Les Américains” in a sentence. These two words put together – in any imaginable sentence - immediately trigger a chemical reaction in the Parisian’s brain. When hearing the phrase “Les Américains“, the Parisian will implacably lose track of his previous ideas to just be taken over by one overpowering thought. That is: ”Oui, mais les Américains, ils sont cons“.
There is no exception to that rule. Americans are all stupid. End of the story. The fact that America is the most successful and probably the most creative country in the world should come as no argument. The fact that all Parisians deliberately wear American clothes, watch American movies, listen to American music, use American words or fantacize about American celebrities either. Americans are fat, stupid and ugly. Period.
Parisians who have traveled to the US might have a more moderate opinion: they will view Americans as ”superficial”. Traveling surely makes Parisian more in touch with foreign cultures. ”Les Américains, ils sont hyper superficiels” is a sentence it is impossible not to hear when having a discussion in Paris about America or Americans. Parisians of all classes see every interaction entailing a person from the US as irremediably fake and empty.
The immediate friendliness most Americans display at once sends Parisians insane. “Mais pourquoi ils sourient? Ils sont cons ou quoi ?!” Friendliness, enthusiam and optimism are very American qualities. In Paris, these characteristics are marks of gentle intellectual decay. You do the math. In the Parisian’s mind, Americans are incapable of refinement. Capital Parisian sin. The fact that their vision is based on reality or not has no relevance: of course it is.
Parisians know for a fact that Americans’ exclusive interests are money, sports, war and religion. Americans have no other points of interest in life. No other aspirations. That is good enough a reason for Parisians to concentrate most of their scorn for the opulence of Western life on America. It’s all America’s fault. It is true after all that Parisians by no means partake in this Western lifestyle.
When bringing to the table that not everyone in a country like America can possibly be stupid, the Parisian usually pulls out the culture card. “Ok, peut-être, mais ils sont complètement incultes, c’est grave quand même“. People saying this fall into two categories – that go across the board. On the one hand, people whose favorite after-work occupations consist of watching CSI , Grey’s Anatomy or Sex and the City. On the other, people who worship Woody Allen and Philip Roth. Parisians are avid consumers of American culture and at the same time fiercely convinced that such a thing does not exist. For as Parisians put it, “Woody Allen, il est pas Américain, il est New-Yorkais”.
It would be impolite at that point to bring to the Parisian’s attention that he starts to sound like the stupid American he despises so much. Plus, despite his obvious in-depth knowledge of America, chances are he might not get the joke…
Useful tip (to Americans coming to Paris): Rest assured, most people interacting with tourists know better. They appreciate Americans’ friendliness and taste for good service (read tips). So you’re in good shape. For optimal Paris experience, just leave your New Balance shoes at home 
And of course, make sure to save a couple of hours for O Chateau in your busy schedule!
Sound like a Parisian: “Oh my God, it’s amazing!! Ha ha ha“
Tags: America, Americans, Americans in Paris, Culture, Paris, Parisian, people, prejudice
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Here’s the odd paradoxe: the same Frenchmen who critique America will consistently try to get les américaines to drop their pants. Part of their charm strategy, perhaps?
Stephan… Just received an email from a friend that said: ” JFK’S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60’s when DeGaulle decided to pull out of NATO. DeGaulle said he wanted all US military out of France as soon as possible. Rusk responded “Does that include those who are buried here? DeGaulle did not respond.
(Me like to fuel the unrest).
Meghan… Yeah, it was good! As per your bad experience, I really want to crack many bad jokes at this point but I shall refrain!
Emma… French diplomacy.
As Denis Leary says,
“We Suck”
Although talking about Les Américains is a French national sport, and there have been Parisiens who have posted in agreement with what is stated here, this is a gross generalization. I know Parisiens, my husband included, who do not hold this viewpoint. Thankfully. I think you, or someone else, ought to write that book you mentioned in one of the responses. The world could use some new bridges and fewer bridges burned.
ParisBreakfast…
Maribeth… I think this post is more of a bridge than anything else. And I certainly don’t think its content is a “gross generalization” – one may wish it were, your perception might be different (and I’m happy for you if it is) but I can guarantee it’s pretty true. Parisians will happily talk crap about America and Americans, even in their face (at least in France) -and sometines even for good reasons. But very few will look at an American in the eyes and tell him/her: I think your people is a bunch of retards. Yet, I can guarantee a vast majority thinks so – and has no problem conversing about it with other non-American people. It might be sad. It is actually. For Parisians as much as for Americans. So you’re right: maybe I should start to work on this book. And allez… I will!
Olivier
ahem…
Stéphan
Olivier, another very well written post.
Parisians aren’t the only ones who enjoy making fun of Americans…
And I heard this one Parisian making fun of an American because he thought her name sounded stupid.
FuturePilot… Merci beaucoup. Some Parisians really are mean.
Oh my goodness! I’m French but I so agree with you! I might have been an American girl in another life because I smile a lot and I’m always friendly with people.
I don’t like the mentality in Paris… too selfish and superficial for me!
Not to make (more) generalizations, but have you noticed perhaps a thawing towards Americans on the part of Parisians since Obama’s been in office? Perhaps I’m just looking for it as a strange validation, but I swear that my last few trips to Paris, post-election, people have been a bit more… respectful, maybe, towards Americans, and not in the way that Parisians in the tourism industry generally seem to be in order to secure the forking over of cash. When I was there a few weeks ago, leaving a very neighborhoody, non-touristy cafe in the morning, the waiter asked where I was from; when I told him the States, everyone at the counter got excited and started talking about how much they love Obama (in French). It was very genuine. Is it possible that even if ever so slightly, attitudes towards Americans are changing? Or is it just wishful thinking?
Emilie… we should organize resistance.
Genevieve… It is very true indeed. I’ve been meaning to do a “Barack Obama” post for a long time but it’s hard to find things that have not been said a million times about him.
I’m an American, and I speak French almost fluently now. My goal is perfect my French by living in Paris for awhile — maybe longer someday, if possible. I have always loved speaking French. It’s such a beautiful language.
After having read this post, I was totally shocked. I always thought that Parisians would be glad that I loved their language and culture so much. I think it’s really interesting. What do you think most Parisians’ opinions of me would be, due to my earnest interest in France?
Regarding your post about French grammar — I believe that excellent grammar in any language is essential. I was an English major in college. In conclusion, the most important reason that I want to live in Paris is to polish my French — hopefully to an impeccable level. I think that my love of grammar will be key and will help to change some individuals’ views and making Parisian friends.
Cathleen… I feel like you’re not going to like my response but hey – just trying to help here. First, if you want to perfect your French, I believe Paris is probably the worst place in France to do it as most speak (love to) speak English. And the city is very international so it’s easy to spend months without interacting with French people. Then, the fact that you love and are good at French is definitely a plus and will help socially. Not sure it will change Parisians’opinion about Americans though! Anyway… as most Americans moving to Paris, if you do move here, you’ll soon enough realize you don’t really want to befriend Parisians!
Hi Olivier,
Thanks for responding to me so quickly. Thanks for you insight. I really appreciate it. I’ll take what you said into consideration, but I have a feeling that I will end up in Paris anyway, and definitely take side trips to other parts of France, either way. I’m glad that my knowledge of French will help. I think I’ll at least reverse some people’s opinions of us, when they see how into their language and culture I am.
Yes, I noted your “stupid Americans” post featured ex-president Bush, not the current president who is not only Black, long and lean and well-dressed, but also very well-read and an utterly global person – his sister, in the inaugural peloton – has the Asian features of her Indonesian dad and there were people from just about everywhere around them. Have met lots of families like that in the US, Britain and France, and my own family up here has as many diverse origins…
I don’t know who the ditzy blonde chica is – Paris Hilton or somebody else in that vein?
One thing amuses/slightly annoys us chez nos cousins de la vieille France: reserving “America” for the US, leaving all the tens of millions of inhabitants of l’Amérique north and south of there floating on some banquise…
visiting paris for a week starting tomorrow…and I am reading philip roth and wearing my new balance
This makes me sad to be American. I hope everyone realizes there are many smart and serious students who appreciate other cultures and are opening themselves to experiencing it.
Very funny! I LOVED it… dare I say… does that sound superficial and too nice? I am after all an American living and working in Paris :0)
Should I be concerned about sending my 17 year old daughter (half American half Mediterranean) to a Parisian lycee?
Cathleen… Let’s hope so!
Lagatta… Yup, Parid Hilton indeed. As per “Les Americains”, it’s true that we do that. I plead guilty your honor.
C… Hmmm… Did you try one of these fancy American restaurants with the big arch while in Paris?
Ashley… Everybody I’m not sure!
Wendy… Merci merci!! (why is it that only Americans who leave here seem to get this article?!).
American mom… No. Not at all. Once they actually meet (civilized) Americans, Parisians (well, usually just the male version of them) are quite keen to befriend Americans. So no worries for your daughter: she will be the star of le lycee. You should worry instead if you want her to learn about Jeanne d’Arc, Clovis, the Holocaust or Charles Martel. Cause these have become touchy subjects in French schools: Pauvre France!
… so right. I can’t believe anyone would not get the tongue-in-cheek.
You know, sometimes tongue-in-cheek can feel like a poke-in-the-eye to a sensitive person. As, ahem, an American (yeah, living in France), I think Americans–speaking generally here, folks–are a bit prickly about their (un)certain status in the world. Is being the epicenter of hyper-drive pop-culture really any more satisfying than an UNsuper-sized packet of Doritos is to a generously-proportioned gut? Americans want to be loved, want the Hollywood ending. Oh, the Parisians do too; they just refuse to say it with their eyes or tongue.
Americans who find this post distressing or deeply disappointing need to consider that Parisians are basically about as French as New Yorkers are American, with resulting jaded rudeness and tunnel vision, because that’s how people often become in big, cold cities, as fabulous as the congested spaces may be. Not all Parisians are like this, neither are New Yorkers–hey: some of my best friends are Parisians and NY’ers…
For those who want to love and be loved back, Olivier’s right: take the rest of France in your generous embrace. Take time. And take time for a laugh at the silliness of it all.
(Blanket apology to Lagatta and the lovely neighbors to the north, but I can’t manage United States-ian).
Anna… Me neither but it happened!!
Tammy… I think that at the end of the day, this article is harder on Parisians than it is on Americans.
Tout a fait d’accord, Olivier, and I agree with Anna, too.
Are we supposed to care what the Parisians think? They usually have difficulty pronouncing my name correctly — and I don’t really care about that, either. It’s nice to strike a cord with friendly natives when you’re in a foreign country, but really, let’s all admit, when we travel to france it’s because of the history, not the big city personalities…
Tammy… Well, would Parisians be right?!
Dawn… No, indeed, you are not supposed to care what the Parisians think. To care for it either for that matter. Good news is though: I can recommend some really good DVDs about France if you want – don’t even have to come here any more. Gotta love this technology thing.