Why Are Parisians Speaking to Me in English When I Speak French?

When visiting Paris, many travelers experience a peculiar phenomenon: despite their efforts to use French, waiters and customer service staff often switch to English. This can leave them feeling dismissed, confused, and at times, even insulted. But why does this happen, and how should we respond to such expectations?

Common Perceptions and Frustrations

Mark, a traveler who visited Paris, shares his experience with his Airbnb host: "Why do people in Paris respond to me in English when I speak French? Last time, lots of waiters and customer service personnel simply ignored my French attempts and switched to English. I felt like a piece of garbage."

Another traveler, Emily, adds, "French people are arrogant and rude!" This kind of perception can stem from feelings of frustration and confusion, often resulting from a lack of understanding about cultural norms and language preferences.

The Insensitivity of Expecting French in France

Mark's Airbnb host, Jean, shared a common sentiment: "Paris was beautiful but I have never met such arrogant people. I spoke English to them but they replied in French. How arrogant!" This attitude of expecting people to speak in your native language can be seen as a flagrant disregard for cultural sensitivity.

The thought is, "Why would you expect them to speak English to you if you’re in their country? It’s the height of arrogance to expect people to speak English in France. If you're in France, it’s wise to learn a few phrases out of respect for the culture."

Historical and Cultural Context

For a few hundred years, French was the dominant language of diplomacy, science, and culture. Later, English took over as the international language. Many French speakers still feel strongly about preserving their language and feel pride in their culture. Some may come to associate speaking English with disrespect or unwelcomeness.

Furthermore, many French people have limited exposure to foreign languages. When visiting foreign media, Parisians often prefer the French dubbing, leading to less familiarity with English. Even young people in tourist spots might speak English, but they may still feel insecure about their skills due to a lack of confidence and limited exposure.

Respect and Understanding

The French preference is to dub foreign media into French. This limited exposure to foreign languages means that many French speakers might feel uncomfortable speaking English. The same goes for when you go to the US and don't expect them to speak Dutch. Similarly, if a French person were in the US and spoke to you in English, would you not appreciate a bit of cultural respect?

Additionally, while Parisians might have a reputation for rudeness, many French people outside Paris are among the friendliest people in the world. It’s important to remember that small gestures of respect can make a big difference.

Language Etiquette and Rude Responses

Did you know that not saying "Bonjour" when you meet someone is considered rude in France? If you are rude first, they might return the favor. In that case, you can't really blame them, can you?

Lastly, a note on communication: if you hear the locals speaking in French, it is rude to speak to them in English. Why should they speak English? You are in their country. If you go to the US, you wouldn't expect them to speak Dutch. The same applies to them in France.

Just a little matter of respect. When you travel, try to practice some basic phrases in the local language, not only because it's a sign of respect, but also because it can open many doors and enhance your cultural experience.