So on the way home from the hospital this morning (more on that in the next blog entry) we stopped at a boulangerie (bakery). I went in and did the polite bonjour and then asked for deux bagettes s’il vous plaît (two baguettes please).
I’m not sure how to translate baguette, it’s the basic bread here that is long and skinny. I remember the first time I bought one when I arrived in France. I was very disappointed when the next morning I went to eat some of it for breakfast and it was soft and chewey. Yuk! What happened? Well it doesn’t conserve long at all. Which means you must buy them fresh, sometimes twice a day.
Ok so what’s two bagettes have to do with George Bush? So the baker, hearing my petit accent asks me if I’m from American (which is very good because 90% of the French think I’m British) and I say yes I’m from the US. And then she looks at her coworker and they say “Ahh George Bush”. I said Je suis venu en France pour échapper George Bush (I came to France to escape from George Bush). That really made them laugh. I paid my 2 Euros (about $2.75) and we said goodbye, still smiling and laughing.
It’s funny how many times George Bush comes up in a conversation immediately after me saying that I’m American. It’s like some kind of test. I have to say I’m against Bush to be accepted. Now this is easy because I’m not a fan of George Bush. But do the French really think every American is behind Bush? The polls in the US show otherwise. And his support is dropping. I need a pin that says “I do not support Bush”. I’m sure I’d get applause from people in public that I don’t even know. It’d be a fun experiment.
I wonder what they’ll be saying in 2009 when I say I’m American. At least it won’t be George Bush.
I will be vacationing in Paris this December and I was wondering what the climate is towards us here in the US. I too, detest the Bush administration. Worried how the French would take me, I’d been thinking of disguising myself as a Canadian during my stay there.
Thanks for your blog. I enjoy it very much.
James
Long Beach, CA USA
James,
Thank you for your kind words, I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog. Sometimes I ask myself if it’s worth it and a simple comment like yours lets me know that it is.
For your question, do you speak any French? I found the French love it when Americans speak even just a little French and when they don’t like George Bush. So if you could learn to say what you just said in English – “je deteste Bush” (“I detest Bush”) I think you’d have the French eating out of your hand.
Seriously, learn a few words of French and you’ll be fine. The French really like Americans who do not take themselves for the center of everything. Making an effort to learn a foreign language and a foreign culture is very important. It’s enough to convey to the French that you’re not the typical American they like to dislike.
What the French dislike are the Americans who don’t know anything about the rest of the world, and those who come to France and act like they’re still in the US. This means being loud, expecting the French to speak English, not following French customs especially those regarding politeness, etc. A guide book should tell you what you need to know here, just a little goes a long way.
Hope that helps, let me know if you have other questions or ideas for future blog topics.
-Michael
I love the fact that French Bread doesn’t last. It shows that it’s real bread with natural ingredients!
In the UK, more and more, it’s becoming difficult to find anything other than what I call ‘Indestructa-bread’. Seriously, this crap lasts 6 months, and is still as fresh as the day you bought it!
On the language frontier, the most valuable phrase I learned while I was in France was ‘Je Suis pas Anglais, je suis a Afrique du sud’ (spelling??). It means, ‘I’m not British, I’m from South Africa’. Once you’ve said that phrase, everybody in Paris knows how to speak English!
I do the same thing, too!! I always add in French… I didn’t vote for Bush! I detest him. Can’t wait til he’s gone! Anyhow.. French have always been very nice to me and I speak French pretty fluently (my hub doesn’t speak much Engl. so we speak only French at home). My baguettes get HARD the next day!! Ugggh! Gotta eat it while it’s still fresh!! Take care.. Love your blog!! —Leesa
I can’t stand George Bush or any of those FAT, LAZY F*****G Americans. Useless the lot of them!
Cool Blog though like your style!
It’s nice to know people of such high intellect resort to ridiculing their own government to earn the respect of a historically arrogant people.
I’ve been to Paris twice on business trips, and I hated the place. I’ve never met such rude people in my life, especially in the airport and local shops. I speak Russian, German, and Swedish fluently, and when I first traveled to these countries to learn their languages and culture, I had no problem assimilating myself. They were not snobbish to me, they did not ridicule my country for its leadership, nor did they have any expectations for me. They accepted me upfront and were patient with me.
Yet, my first visit in France, which was two years ago for four months, was nothing like my experiences in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Berlin, and Stockholm.
I had a few close calls with some Parisians regarding politics. One man that I worked with constantly poked fun at me for being American and supporting a “fucking idiot President,” as he always said. Another would always hint that, because of my nationality, I was a warmonger.
The fact is, I am a Republican, and I do support the Bush Administration. Yet, it seems that in France anyone who supports said administration is a dolt and unworthy of respect. Many of my experiences with Parisians supports this.
Now, I’m sure my experience in France would be different if I conformed to their arrogant perspective on the world, but I’m no conformist.
Also, Paris has to be one of the dirties cities I’ve ever seen. Not to mention the immense amount of dogshit and other sorts of waste I had to evade when walking throughou the city. Hell, I even saw people pissing and shitting in sewer drains.
Oh well?
I agree with about half of what you said. That’s what makes Paris so interesting. No two people will have the same experience.
I came here with a very basic level of French and people were very interested in me. I didn’t have any problems being accepted as a tourist. Even to this day I often feel I’m a bit of a novelty. At my last job I was often introduced to clients by a manager or coworker and then they’d say “He’s American” or “He came from the US to work with us” or some other attempt at a little show-off. But it’s kind of cool being the novelty. And I don’t doubt that it has actually helped my career.
I think being accepted or not just depends on the person, their attitude, and a lot of luck. Paris is a game. If everyone won it wouldn’t be as much fun would it?
The French love to protest and manifest, even if there really isn’t a good reason. They also love politics. So I can see how a Bush fan would have a hard time. But if a Bush fan could stand up to them and debate them, they would really enjoy it.
Paris is filthy. When I first came here for some reason I was blind to this. After a few years it sets in. Now I think it is disgusting. People peeing in public is not an uncommon site although I’ve never seen someone pooping. My wife says the public toilettes are all free now. Apparently they were going unused because no one wanted to pay 50 cents. But the problem is you have to search for them. If you can’t walk for 10-15 minutes then…
hi i dont like goerge bush either i am glad that another president will come i am for obama because mcain is like a second bush
I’m a Parisian and I concur, Paris is filthy (though it was worse before Mayor Delanoë, it was impossible not to step on dog crap on the sidewalks, that has improved at least).
But hush! don’t tell that American tourists who want to visit Paris, don’t rain on their parade! (they have such an ideal opinion of the City Of Lights that they wouldnt believe you all the same).