Stereotypes of French people

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The Marinière is a French article of clothing commonly used in stereotypical depictions of the French.

Stereotypes of French people include real or imagined characteristics of the French people used by people who see the French people as a single and homogeneous group.[1][2][3] French stereotypes are common beliefs among those expressing anti-French sentiment.

There exist stereotypes of French people amongst themselves depending on the region.[4]

United Kingdom

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).[5]

United States

Francophobia and xenophobic sentiments towards the French have been an established part of the culture of the United States.[8] The French have a reputation for tipping poorly: in France, as in most European countries, workers are paid living wages, so gratuities are smaller and less common.[9]

The French tend to spend less on food, clothes and cars compared to most Americans.[citation needed]

Common stereotypes

Culinary

See also: Haute cuisine

French cuisine is a major part of French culture, and French food is often regarded as among the best in the world, with The Guardian stating "a really fine French dish represents one of the undisputed pinnacles of human cultural achievement."[10]

The French are commonly regarded to enjoy eating

snails, frog legs, and plenty of bread, particularly baguettes and croissants. The French are also known for their fondness for wine.[11]

High fashion

France, particularly Paris, has been perceived for being a high fashion place where designer clothes and cosmetics are made.[12]

Hygiene

The French are perceived as having poor hygiene, originating from American soldiers during World War II.[13][14]

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.[15][16]

Onion Johnny

A common stereotypical image of French people, especially in British media, was of a man on a bicycle wearing a

Breton itinerant onion-sellers who cycled around England and Wales in the 20th century; for many British people, this would be their only contact with French people.[17][18]

Military

Despite being one of the world's leading powers from the mid 17th century to the early 19th 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 is attributed to France's roles during World War II and the Franco-Prussian War, in which the French government surrendered to German forces.[19][20] This stereotype was referenced on The Simpsons, where they were described as "Cheese-eating surrender monkeys".

Anti-French sentiment in the United States increased due to the French government's opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This precipitated the renaming of "French fries" to "Freedom fries" in several congressional cafeterias.

Romance

French people are perceived as being very romantic.[21]

Rudeness

French waiters have been perceived as rude and disrespectful, especially to foreigners who speak little to no French.[22][23]

Smokers

Smoking in France is a common trope when associated with France, especially the local Gauloises brand.[24][25]

References

  1. ^ Heller, Susanna (13 July 2017). "The biggest misconceptions about French women, debunked". Insider. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  2. S2CID 159912234
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  3. ^ Collins, Lauren (19 September 2019). "French Women Take On the French-Girl Cliché". The New Yorker. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  4. ^ "What truth behind French regional stereotypes?". The Local. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  5. ^ "Introduction". Vive la différence! The English and French stereotype in satirical prints 1720-1815. The Fitzwilliam Museum. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
  6. ^ Ferber, Lauren (2008). "Pardon Our French: French Stereotypes in American Media". digitalcommons.unf.edu. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  7. ^ Vaisse, Justin (14 June 2003). "American Francophobia Takes a New Turn" (PDF). Brookings.edu. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  8. ^ "The French and the American culture:always the same stereotypes on both sides?" (PDF). static1.squarespace.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  9. ^ Inge, Sophie (31 July 2014). "'The French among the world's stingiest tippers'". The Local. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  10. ^ Henley, Jon (22 March 2011). "Stereotypes: The best food in the world". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Demystifying French stereotypes and cliches". cia-france.com. 7 November 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  12. ^ Bernstein, Nina (28 September 2003). "The World; For Americans, It's French Sissies Versus German He-Men". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  13. ^ Henley, Jon (25 March 2011). "French stereotypes: failure to wash". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  14. ^ Desevedavy, Marie (18 February 2019). "10 of the most common stereotypes French people have about Ireland". Irishmirror.ie.
  15. ^ 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". London School of Economics. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  16. ^ "The worst cliches about the French that really need to be dropped". The Local. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  17. ISBN 9780863817830
    .
  18. ^ "Gwyn 'Winwns' is honoured in Brittany". Cambria. 22 November 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  19. ^ Noonan, John (25 August 2016). "The French Military's Bad Reputation is Inaccurate and Undeserved". The Weekly Standard. Archived from the original on 5 December 2018.
  20. ^ Miedzian, Myriam (15 December 2006). "Anti-French Stereotypes Still Served Up". HuffPost.
  21. ^ Normand, Jean-Michel (26 January 2012). "French stereotypes: arrogant and good in bed? Bien sûr!". The Guardian.
  22. ^ Leadbeater, Chris (15 August 2017). "The truth behind French stereotypes, from its surly waiters to its lousy music". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  23. ^ "Are French People Really Rude? Exploring the Myth". thoughtco.com. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  24. ^ "The French and smoking: Is France really 'Europe's chimney'". The Local. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  25. ^ Rahman-Jones, Imran (27 April 2019). "Small, White and Strong: How French Cigarettes Became the Coolest in the World". Medium. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
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