Stereotypes of French people

Stereotypes of French people include real or, rarely, imagined characteristics of the French people used by people who see the French people as a single and homogeneous group.[1][2][3]

England

Stereotypes of the French by the British people, especially the English people, have existed for centuries. This is in part due to the many Anglo-French Wars (1193-1815).[4]

United States

Americans view the French as effeminate and cowardly.[5][6] Francophobia and xenophobic sentiments towards the French have been an established part of the Culture of the United States.[7] The French also have a reputation for being cheap or 'radin' in French, often because they refuse to tip. They tend to spend less on food, clothes and cars compared to most Americans.

Common stereotypes

High fashion

France, particularly Paris, has been perceived for being a high fashion place where designer clothes and cosmetics are made.[8]

Hygiene

The French are perceived as having poor hygiene, originating from American soldiers during World War II.[9][10]

Laziness

The perception that French workers are prone to strikes and take a lot of time off has established a stereotype of the French being workshy.[11][12]

Romance

French men and women are perceived as being very romantic.[13]

Rudeness

French waiters have been perceived as rude and disrespectful, especially to foreigners who speak little to no French.[14]

Weak military

Despite being one of the world's leading power from the 18th century, the French military had been perceived as poor in armed combat and could be easily defeated in armed struggles, thus likely to surrender. The stereotype was attributed to France's role during World War II, in which French forces surrendered to German forces in just 46 days, but also due to the poor performances in various wars, such as the Battle of Assietta, the Haitian Revolution, the Franco-Prussian War, and the Battle of Dien Bien Phu during the First Indochina War.[15][16]

References
  1. Heller, Susanna. "The biggest misconceptions about French women, debunked". INSIDER.
  2. Weber, Eugen (1 April 1990). "Of Stereotypes and of the French". Journal of Contemporary History. 25 (2): 169–203. doi:10.1177/002200949002500202.
  3. Collins, Lauren. "French Women Take On the French-Girl Cliché". The New Yorker.
  4. "Introduction". Vive la différence! The English and French stereotype in satirical prints 1720-1815. The Fitzwilliam Museum. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
    "Vive la différence! The English and French stereotype in satirical prints 1720-1815" (PDF) (Article). The Fitzwilliam Museum. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  5. Ferber, Lauren (2008). "Pardon Our French: French Stereotypes in American Media". digitalcommons.unf.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  6. Vaisse, Justin (June 14, 2003). "AMERICAN FRANCOPHOBIA TAKES A NEW TURN" (PDF). www.brookings.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  7. "The French and the American culture:always the same stereotypes on both sides?" (PDF). static1.squarespace.com. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  8. Bernstein, Nina (28 September 2003). "The World; For Americans, It's French Sissies Versus German He-Men" – via NYTimes.com.
  9. Henley, Jon (25 March 2011). "French stereotypes: failure to wash" – via www.theguardian.com.
  10. Desevedavy, Marie (18 February 2019). "10 of the most common stereotypes French people have about Ireland". irishmirror.
  11. Hancké, Robert (25 February 2013). "Contrary to national stereotypes, French workers are more productive than their German counterparts and only marginally less productive than American workers". LSE.
  12. "The worst cliches about the French that really need to be dropped". www.thelocal.fr. 31 January 2018.
  13. Normand, Jean-Michel (26 January 2012). "French stereotypes: arrogant and good in bed? Bien sûr!". Le Monde – via www.theguardian.com.
  14. Leadbeater, Chris. "The truth behind French stereotypes, from its surly waiters to its lousy music". The Telegraph.
  15. "The French Military's Bad Reputation is Inaccurate and Undeserved". The Weekly Standard. 25 August 2016.
  16. Miedzian, Myriam (15 December 2006). "Anti-French Stereotypes Still Served Up". HuffPost.
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