And the "worst" tourists in the world are:

[declansdad]

But Quebec is part of Canada, for the time being anyway. I thought the survey was talking about people from France.

You obviously don't speak French fluently. They have a problem with people who don't there, especially English-speaking Canadians. But in Montreal, if you even try a little, you get a whole different attitude from most people (especially in Verdun)

I have to admit I've never met a tourist from France (I guess they don't get out of their country very often), so I don't have an opinion on the survey.

I haven't had a problem in Quebec as an English-speaking Canadian. At least not in the major centers.

 

[Ember]

I think the important thing to remember whenever you travel is that there are stereotypes of a population in general and then there are actual, individual people. So long as you don't let the stereotype cloud your judgment of the individual people you meet then everything is good.

I think knowing a little about where you are traveling is a good idea, too, in helping with understanding. For example, I lived in Germany for a year. At first I thought the Germans were quite rude, on the whole. Then as I was there for a time, I got to know that they were more efficient rather then rude. Where in Canada we would exchange polite chatter with the wait staff at a restaurant, the Germans tended to skip the pleasantries and just get down to business. Their manner was more abrupt, but they were still very nice. It was just a different cultural norm.

I have been all over North America and Europe. I haven't found any one nationality of people to be just generally "rude." Some are louder, like the Italians and Greeks, some are very reserved, such as the Swiss or the Austrians. I found the Parisians to be generally more forceful, and a little over-proud now and then, but on a personal level I also met many wonderful individuals.

 

[islandmum]

I was shocked at how little English they spoke, especially since they were on holiday in the US.

Same here. I'm sure there are great, kind French people. But from what I have experienced, and what my family has experienced, I don't like them very much. I don't like their food or the way they play soccer either.

You really cant say something like that about being shocked they didnt speak English especially as they were in the US .... I'm willing to bet that the huge majority of Americans who visit Brazil, Japan, India, Thailand, Bali etc etc speak not one word of those languages.

We in the English speaking countries have a stupid notion that everyone else on the planet should speak English and should learn it to travel to our countries at least - when infact we visit their countries and ALSO expect them to speak English back to us rather than their local language.

and the French - well theres a big difference between the North and South - southern French people I love, amazing people, totally amazing food - it appeals to a more mature palette and involves many flavours and textures which I like, but people from the north of France - not encountered one yet who hasnt had a stick up their bum, especially the Parisiens - I find them much like New Yorkers and of the 10 of them I've met they've been awful too so maybe its a big city thing. But I wouldnt categorize a whole nation on a few idiots.

 

[islandmum]

I've never understood why the French don't like Americans. Maybe they are upset we kept them from becoming German!

oh good lord!

I think that quote adeqautely sums up exactly why the French would dislike Americans if they all said the same ..... luckily most don't - they know their history better.