10 Top Parisian and Paris Myths

As what I have written in a previous article entitled 10 Top Destinations in Paris, I made a quick personal random sampling survey of the one hundred thirteen million Google search matches for keywords “top ten lists for Paris”. One certain link that I cannot get my mind off is a collection of blogs written by Courtney Traub. A particular issue she wrote was about misconceptions about French people.
As I have done writing about destinations, hotels and nightspots within Paris, I believe a travel tip guide would not be complete if common hearsays regarding the French people are not tackled. Here are some “busted” myths:
1. The French are rude – Perhaps a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge regarding French culture is the culprit why tourists see the rudeness is due to their being French, rather that acknowledging that it’s a matter of cultural difference.

2. French people hate Americans – Just because some French dislike some Americans, does not mean that all French hate Americans.

3. French people stink – Though there are few who has body odor, it doesn’t follow that all French people stink. True French people are not as obsessive to daily showers compared with other races. However hygiene is practiced by many.

4. French women don’t shave – Probably referring to the French women of the past decades since French women nowadays are impeccably groomed.

5. All women go topless at French beaches – The truth to this myth is some do remove their tops off at French beaches, some don’t.

6. Visiting France is too expensive – The answer is true… if one tends to choose wrong locations for accommodation, day destinations and dining. A campground rather than a hotel or a bakery preferred than restaurant makes a big savings.

7. All French people smoke cigarette – Basically some smoke, some don’t.

8. A France vacation only appeals to women – Cuisine and wine. Yes it attracts women. But those are not only activities within Paris. There also are mountain climbing, skiing, ice climbing, kayaking, hiking, soccer matches, topless women at the beach and beers which men kept coming back to Paris for

9. You must speak fluent French to visit France – French people indeed find it rude if they are addressed in English. Simple solution is for one tourist to learn basic French words, especially if the intended place-to-visit within rural areas.

10. French Toilets are disgusting – True for the public toilets, but only for a short period of time. An abundant presence of toilets within malls, hotels and restaurants do have acceptable toilet standards.
Empathy is coined as putting oneself to another person’s shoes. Prior to leaving for Paris, it would not hurt a bit to try to interact to a foreigner from one’s own land first. And maybe, just maybe, the things we keep in my mind that this particular alien needed while conversing with you is also what you need when it becomes your turn to be the tourist in the capital city of France.