Stereotypes of French people

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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]

Stereotypes among French people[]

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

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).[5]

United States[]

Americans view the French as effeminate and cowardly.[6][7] Francophobia and xenophobic sentiments towards the French have been an established part of the Culture of the United States.[8] 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.[9]

Hygiene[]

The French are perceived as having poor hygiene, originating from American soldiers during World War II.[10][11]

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.[12][13]

Onion Johnny[]

A common stereotypical image of French people, especially in British media, was of a man on a bicycle wearing a striped jumper and beret with a string of onions around their neck. This derives from the "Onion Johnny," a nickname for 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.[14][15]

Romance[]

French men and women are perceived as being very romantic.[16]

Rudeness[]

French waiters have been perceived as rude and disrespectful, especially to foreigners who speak little to no French.[17][18]

Smokers[]

Smoking in France is a common trope when associated with France, especially the local Gauloises brand.[19][20]

Weak military[]

Despite being one of the world's leading powers from the 17th–19th centuries, 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 government surrendered to German forces.[21][22]

Food[]

The French are commonly regarded to enjoy eating a lot of bread, such as baguettes and croissants. This is frequently referred to in online memes.

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. S2CID 159912234.
  3. ^ Collins, Lauren (19 September 2019). "French Women Take On the French-Girl Cliché". The New Yorker.
  4. ^ "What truth behind French regional stereotypes?". Thelocal.fr. 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 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.
  6. ^ Ferber, Lauren (2008). "Pardon Our French: French Stereotypes in American Media". digitalcommons.unf.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  7. ^ Vaisse, Justin (June 14, 2003). "AMERICAN FRANCOPHOBIA TAKES A NEW TURN" (PDF). Brookings.edu. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  8. ^ "The French and the American culture:always the same stereotypes on both sides?" (PDF). static1.squarespace.com. Retrieved 2019-06-05.
  9. ^ Bernstein, Nina (28 September 2003). "The World; For Americans, It's French Sissies Versus German He-Men" – via NYTimes.com.
  10. ^ Henley, Jon (25 March 2011). "French stereotypes: failure to wash". Theguardian.com.
  11. ^ Desevedavy, Marie (18 February 2019). "10 of the most common stereotypes French people have about Ireland". Irishmirror.ie.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "The worst cliches about the French that really need to be dropped". Thelocal.fr. 31 January 2018.
  14. ^ Passmore, Susan. "Last of the Onion Men, The". gwales. Retrieved 26 April 2017. – Review of Griffiths, Gwyn (2002). The last of the onion men. Llanrwst: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch. ISBN 9780863817830.
  15. ^ "Gwyn 'Winwns' is honoured in Brittany". Cambria. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  16. ^ Normand, Jean-Michel (26 January 2012). "French stereotypes: arrogant and good in bed? Bien sûr!". Theguardian.com.
  17. ^ Leadbeater, Chris. "The truth behind French stereotypes, from its surly waiters to its lousy music". The Daily Telegraph.
  18. ^ "Are French People Really Rude? Exploring the Myth".
  19. ^ "The French and smoking: Is France really 'Europe's chimney'". Thelocal.fr. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
  20. ^ Rahman-Jones, Imran (April 27, 2019). "Small, White and Strong: How French Cigarettes Became the Coolest in the World". Medium.
  21. ^ "The French Military's Bad Reputation is Inaccurate and Undeserved". The Weekly Standard. 25 August 2016.
  22. ^ Miedzian, Myriam (15 December 2006). "Anti-French Stereotypes Still Served Up". HuffPost.
Retrieved from ""