I went to Paris & northern France as a 16-year old ‘farm girl’ from the US in 1974. The people we met couldn’t have been nicer to our bunch of schoolchildren! Even though we had taken French language courses for 2-3 years, no one but our teacher was proficient, and yet it never seemed to matter. People were always kind to us as well as helpful. I went to a perfume shop by myself in Paris to purchase L’air du Temps, my favorite at the time (I still love it), and though I barely knew 30 words in French & the Madam Shopkeeper spoke no English, we managed quite well & she was so sweet. I still have that bottle 50 years later, as well as the lovely memories. I am sure things are somewhat different now but I always believed if you can say “hello”, “goodbye”, “please”, “thank-you”, “how much is it?”, and “where is the restroom?” In any language, you will do okay in whatever country you visit!!

I'm French and totally agree with you. I think that we are EXTREMELY judgmental - not only judging people showing off but people in general! We tend to criticize everyone. Especially in Paris. I lived in the US and felt that it was very different there, people minded their own business and were less judgy. That's a part of our culture that I really don't like. I try to be less judgmental!

Very informative and helpful for insight of French people before visiting … it’s polite to try to understand the local culture and conform. Thank you Alice, enjoyed video very much.

I'm wondering if you could make a video about interior design trends in France?

And in the United States (where I am from), even the citizens or those living here, are not required to know or speak English. Very ridiculous IMO. I respect the French for loving their language and expecting French to be spoken in France, at least by the people who live there!!

Remarkable video about French culture and behavior. It is wonderful to learn about cultural differences. This is what makes the world go around! Thank you Alice👏😃 🩷🥰 💖

Alice, as an American who has been traveling, living, and working globally for a long time, I am so glad you made this video. Americans want the rest of the world to look like America where ever they go, culturally and otherwise. Well, then stay home! We need to open our minds and accept differences between cultures, races, religions, etc. or proudly maintain the unsophisticated reputation the world has bestowed upon us. Yes, we live to work, not work to live, but that's the dark side of capitalism we are so enamored with. I think this is changing w/ the younger generations however.

I love your honesty and your country is so beautiful. I was in France last year, Paris and Còte d'Azur, and everyone was lovely even though we weren't able to speak French very well. I just made sure to dress well and be respectful and I could not have met nicer people. Also, the food is so healthy and delicious with amazing quality.

Alice, as much as I love your fashion and styling videos, this was probably my favorite. I was thoroughly entertained by your humor, wit, and spunk and it seemed so natural to you. Thank you for the laughs! 💕

Oh my gosh, I was laughing when you were laughing! I traveled to Paris with my family in the late 80s to early 90s about 5 times and even when I was newly married and pregnant. I loved it but I was never a very good french speaker even though I tried hard. One time early on, I was in a linen shop trying to explain in french that I wanted some pillow cases to a young sales woman. I didn't know the word for that so tried some work arounds, haha! I heard the older woman behind me say in a distinct tone, "...she speaks terrible French!" I laugh now but at the time I was so embarrassed and never forgot it. As you know, you always understand a lot more than you can speak. I loved watching this video. How I would love to visit again someday before I am too old. Unfortunately my french is no better.

Miss Alice...I know you said you spent time in Boston. I hope you had the opportunity to meet true Bostonians. My grandmother and mother were not show-offs. Most everyone we knew were not. The only nod to a monogram was the monogram on our L. L. Bean canvas tote. I see some of my friends and their children more flashy. I blame social media that pressures everyone to play the Hermès game. I have a home on the West Coast of Florida. Very low-key. I know the East Coast of Florida is far more flashy. Excellent use of humor and goodwill in this video 😊

I’m an American and I’m also very direct, so I appreciate this quality in others.

So true French don't like to speak English. Today in Québec City, your PM was asked twice by the only English journalist to answer in English. He was so reluctant that he said: ''Je vais répondre en français'' (I will respond in French and give a résumé after in English). But he pronounced de ''the'' in english very well for a french. Love you videos.

😅Every time I watch a video with a French person saying they are not rude, and then they almost always add ‘we dont fake kindness’, it makes me feel like they are saying that here in Canada or the US bc we are known to be friendly, that we are faking it. Incase thats what some french actually do think, that is absolutely not true. We dont fake kindness in North America. If anyone acts fake or two faced, people are savages here lol and will call you out, even in public, you will not get away with being fake here. I personally dont have the guts to call people out like most do, I just will move on and distance myself if I ever found a fake friend. But we were raised being friendly and being genuinely curious how people are, and we love to love on people, to speak life and kindness over people and we like to find close friends and the only way to do that is by being nice and showing that we are kind and friendly. Its real and genuine. Where Im from in Newfoundland Canada, anyone in the world can visit, go to mall for example and you will be invited to someones home for supper. Its 100% genuine, we are that friendly and hospitable and loving. ♥️ (were obv not perfect though! we have many other issues in North America lol but the being friendly is real)

Si vous n'arrivez pas à l'heure, alors, vous ne vous êtes pas réveillé à l'heure. Il faut se réveiller plus tôt pour la circulation. Mais oui, c'est une attitude très américaine. ;)

Loved this! Thanks for your honesty about French people.

Very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing, Alice!

Hi Alice, I love your videos, they are always informative and fun to watch. And of course, I love your style! It is not very clear to me however: in France they don’t like people with high earnings but they prefer the “old money” style. My understanding is that the cost of maintaining Parisian way of living is fairly high, and it is impossible to keep it up without having a good job with a good salary to pay for high quality clothing, bags, shoes etc. would you please explain to me how this works? Merci beaucoup! 🌹❤️🙏🏻 Amour from Virginia! Elena.

This is great Alice! Having visited France many times I have seen these traits: I don't find the directness off-putting & see how proud French people are of their culture. I also notice in Paris people's facial expressions in the street are usually gracious & open, unlike navy other countries where sour faces can be seen. I will be in Paris next week (yay!) so I can check up on all this. Bisous Alice ❤

I love this video Alice😁

Great video and thanks for your honesty, Alice. Love your haircut, you look so chic. Merci ❤

Thank you. This is really interesting and entertaining 😉

There are reasons why I refuse to travel abroad with other Americans, and you've named most of them. I'm blunt bordering on rude, I'm late, I love to debate everything, I hate labels and showing off, and I will sit at a café judging how people dress. I think I will fit in just fine...

Really enjoyed this 😊

I think this is your best video: funny and honest. Bravo.

Alice, I was very entertained by your video. Hello from Canada!

GREAT TIPS AS ALWAYS ALICE!!!! SENDING❤ AND PETS TO NAPO!!!! YOUR NEW APARTMENT LOOKS LOVELY!!!!

Dear Alice You made my day and even more 😂 You made me laugh so much 😅😂😂😂Bravo !!🍾 Every comment is right So we are rude, greedy, jealous, dirty, proud and snob But I am French and proud to be ❤ Thanks so much for this amazing video

This was great Alice. Yes I've noticed the French go on strike ALOT! 😅😅😅

Thanks for clearing up some of the stereotypes

It's crazy and ridiculous to expect someone to know how to speak French just because they go there for a week vacation. Especially someone older, it would be very difficult for an older adult to learn much more than hello and goodbye in French prior to a short vacation. It would be different if someone chose to move to France and live, then they should definitely learn the language. The reason I have never visited. France is because of fear of being treated mean because I do not speak French, therefore I don't visit.😿

Fascinating! So different from the American South!!

What I didn’t like when my husband and I went there was the people in the stores weren’t friendly and rude. We went to one of baking stores. I loved what they had, it was like a toy store for bakers! But when I wanted to ask about a specific item, two white stores employees blatantly ignored me for a good 4-5 mins and they rather did a chit chat even when I said “excuse me. Can I ask about something?” One of them hesitantly helped me very briefly, but I saw her disgusted face. But the store owner or manager was pretty nice and so was the black clerk behind the counter. I had to mentioned it to the manager about my encounter with the other white employees to the manager. Never again! If people expect me to speak in French just to go there, no thanks! I can be very direct too even though I came with my American husband who was very patient and non confrontational. I came from a big city like NYC, in a SEA country. I can be very nice but will be direct to rude people. Another thing, Paris stank! But thanks for your honesty! My favorite country to visit was Spain. We loved the food, the people and the culture. Although I didn’t expect to eat dinner super late. I loved it when we went to Spain. Netherlands and Switzerland were okay.

I have so many responses, I could write a book. I agree with these things. First of all, Americans can barely speak grammatical English, much less any other language. I am part French, I studied French for 8 years in school and I lived in Geneva for awhile, so the minute I get there, I speak French, even if not flawlessly -- anything else is rude. Why go abroad if we only want to carry America around with us? I love everything about France, the culture, the language, the art, the architecture, the clothing, perfume, food -- you name it. If I had one other place to live, it would be France, so I am all in with the complaining, the strikes, the extra free time, the subtlety, the quiet and discreet appearance, and quasi-socialism. Fine with me!

Great video! Is this based on French people from the north? Only because I’ve lived in the south-west in Le pays Basque for a couple of decades now and here are some of my observations of the locals. They are in no way rude or direct, in fact I find my fellow residents to be polite and thoughtful (apart from when driving which is a scary experience). No one cares what you look like, fashion seems to be “not a thing” which I’m happy about. I have many good friends and not one of them can speak English. So when foreigners say “the French know how to speak English but they’re too obnoxious to speak it” is completely untrue in my experience. Anyway, you don’t need English at all to live here so what’s the big deal? Finally, I have had the privilege to have meet some of the most wonderful people here in France. In general, they are positive and they encourage you to do things, even if you fear failing. You want to take up singing, go for it. You want to learn to surf at the age of 70, why not? I have French friends who I would trust with my life! I love them dearly with all my heart. However, the food thing I totally disagree with. French food is in no way the best in the world 😊

I did army service in France in 1987. I come from England and my mum was french. I loved the french so much, I said to my mum these are my people. They are assertive not rude, anyone can be rude. But naturally assertive, many were patriotic. Great country, great people. Parisiens were more manic but aren't most city people!

Love your top,❤ where is it from?

☺️ ♥️

Merci pour le deep dive!

❤❤❤❤

I’m franco-American and I disagree on Frenchmen. I’ve dated a few frenchnen and they were great. Great conversation, surprises, manners. American men on the other hand…😂 perhaps I was just lucky? But I don’t think so. I’ve had other great returns about them. I suppose it’s a question of taste.

I did not like my time in Paris. I got yelled at in English by a waitress because I spoke Italian. I lived in Italy for 6yrs and I only know, English, Italian and Japanese. My French is pre-school at best. I still love France as a whole.

I need that 9 weeks of paid vacation of yours Alice 😂❤

Interesting your observations about the rudeness and aggressiveness of the French (I have met some very lovely French people, but I have also met the nasty ones) - The French invented the language of diplomacy! One can only surmise that the French animus comes from the fact that deep down they realize that France does not belong to the French people anymore.

It’s crazy to go to another country and not at least ‘try’ to do a bit of language homework. I can appreciate that when people come to the U.K. they may not 100 percent know English but if they can say a few basic words like hello, thank you, good bye, please and maybe a few others this is good, However if I was to show up to another country and not even be able to speak these words and expect to be only speaking English to the local people… well that’s just selfish and rude.

One of the biggest issues is I see many times U.S. people visiting France is they act very much like they are entitled. By that I mean they expect things to be same way as in their hometown. I'm sorry, but you are traveling that means you get to experience and respect the culture and ways. I felt so bad for waiters and store salespeople in France because most of the time it's people who were rude to them. People in France treated us very friendly, because we show respect. If you try to sneak in restaurant toilet, they will call you out and kick you out. I asked many times before going and they didn't make me buy anything. They were very kind and let me use their facilities.

The rest of the world does not speak english, here in bavaria nobody does so I speak german 😊

I´m brazilian and I guess I´ve been lucky with french men. My ex and my current boyfriends are french (both are fantastic men)... Maybe we vibe because we are different... I don´t date brazilian guys, they are terrible! you can have all of them!!

I am American and I can confirm that Americans love to show off, and I hate this so much, I do not like to show off, even though I am an American.

In Greece we tip 1-2€ 😂...5€ is a lot...above 10€ means you're rich😅... I would like to ask if you had any plastic surgery🙊

Votre analyse sur les Français frôle le délire ! Comment faire peur aux visiteurs étrangers…

I can attest to the French Not washing every day. I had a French boyfriend who only bathed a few times a week and he was a chef. Also had a French flatmate that wasn’t very fond of soap and water either. Maybe I was just unlucky 😅❤

They speak English but pretend they don't

I have been to France and I have French friends in London, I must say that I always had a very good experience with them, they were very polite, charming and romantic, In Paris people were also nice to me, thou I do not speak French. My Spanish friend told me that French men are really awful ( her sister was married to one ) and that I should stay away from them LOL. I like France and your informative video too, Thanks, Alice ♥

You only date American men?👀🫣