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Really, a man wearing a berêt? Ha! ?

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I think that just like Americans have our own traditional dances that we are known for, the French also have dances, therefore I agree.

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I think that just like Americans have our own traditional dances that we are known for, the French also have dances, therefore I agree.

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I think that French people can be distinguished just like any other person of a different nationality. Many people identify France because of the wines, baguettes, and colorful picnics, and with such beautiful places, France makes quite the fit for anyone who loves eating outdoors. However, while the vast majority of French people might like this, there are always people who have other preferences, and respect is something very common of French people as well. I have a friend who moved from France and she made special emphasis on the importance of manners for French people at restaurants and businesses.
Let me know what you guys think!

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I think that French people tend to be more fashionable because some  the best fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Dior, etc. are French companies. I agree with the point some French people can be very stylish.
- Christopher Tamayo

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French citizens are a variety of nationalities and are increasing, but they all tend to enjoy traditional french culture. France is so strongly stereotyped that I don't believe their culture will diminish so I can agree that there are only a select few that strongly express the native culture.

---Mark Chrismer

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I did not know that France is a country with so many immigrants!  I find that fascinating!  I agree that there is no way an individual would fit all aspects.  Especially with all the different cultures.  I picture France with its multicultural society to have regions where people have immigrated from the same country and share their culture and language just like other countries.  People of the same area will have similarities but it is impossible for all French people to be the same.
Teresa Stanley

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French people are so diverse that you can't really put them into a typical French category. There are many things though that make us think about French people because they are so popular, such as iconic fashion brands, wines and different foods.
-Mitzi Ortiz

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According to the article France is made up of about eleven million immigrants and foreigners. I wasn't surprised because France has always been a country rich in culture and with people of different backgrounds. However, I did expect more African countries to appear on the list considering how many refugees were asking for asylum in the past few decades.
- Yocelin Martinez

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I think that the stereotypical french person would be extremely stylish and wear a lot of stripes but that simply isn't true. France is a country consisting of a significant amount of immigrants. I agree with the statement in the paragraph that states France has maintained a strong concept of its culture through the preservation of its language, history, and traditions. Immigrants have influenced some of the french culture by introducing their own culture's dances, language, and other various aspects that solidify a culture. Some of the immigrants are from Italy, Spain, Turkey, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, UK, etc.
- Maximus Yang

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Well, I think the French are pretty fashionable. Maybe they don't believe so but in comparison to Americans, I'd think they're a lot more stylish!
- Tamara Torres-Leguizamon

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The typical stereotypes I connect with the French are an updated fashion sense, an interest in food and wine, and artistic creativity. However, of course every individual in France has there own interests and personalities, and naturally not everyone in France have these traits.

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The ideal of a Frenchman that I have known is usually what the cinema industry has shown through movies or/and TV shows. A person who has style with charming character that is well known in food, wine, and places to travel. Those are the expectations we hope to see when we travel to France, to meet people with those characteristics. Even though we known that not everyone is like that and off course each person comes with a different background that makes them unique.

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The text says that France is diverse in ethnicity and culture. This is because France is a "Terre d'accueil," which means that it is a land that welcomes foreign and diverse peoples. I am inclined to agree with this statement because the book gives statistics and examples of Frances diverse peoples and culture.
-Anthony Lopez

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What is your idea of a Typical Frenchman?

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What is your idea of a Typical Frenchman?

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I'm surprised that I did not know there were 11 million foreigners and immigrants. But I'm not surprised on how multi-cultural France is due to how many refugees they help out with. When I think of a French person, I picture someone who loves wine, dresses really nice, and is a pretty laid back person. But of course not everyone in France is as what I described.
-Amanda Parga

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I think that French people tend to be more into fashion due to the fashion runways always being held. When I think of a French person I think of a very fashionable lady perhaps wearing a fancy hat having a crepe and wine at an outdoor cafe.

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After reading the text, I surprised about the astronomical community in France society, typically immigrants. The native was from northern and central France. French has 11 million foreigners.The other thing that I focus on the French culture,  I don't think all French women are fashionable and stylish. We must agree there are women so hot and not hot in France, also as this world. Paris called the capital of fashion because it's the place often has many events of fashionable, but not means all French women are stylish.
Thi Vo

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I believe that French people are fashionable and stylish compared to Americans and most European countries. Paris is well known for its fashion shows. I wasn't surprised that France had so many immigrants. Some African nations learn and speak french.
- Mohamed Abuelreich

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I always assumed France was a diverse place, as there are a lot of French speaking countries. I was not aware that there are regions of the countries with different languages and traditions. When I think of a typically French person I dont think of style or fashion, I think of a person buying a baguette at a bakery.
-Dean Douthit

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I was aware that France was very diverse but not as diverse as page 26 outlined. I always knew French people were very fashionable considering that some of the world's most famous fashion shows are hosted there, so that was of no surprise to me. It was also really interesting to see such large representation from African countries in the table provided. I think it is really cool that the country is so diverse, and in regards to the bérets, I assumed a large majority of French people wore them since that is the first thing that pops into my head when I imagine a French person.
- Ariana Wafer

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There are some who fit what people describe as a stereotypical french person but they can be as diverse as we (USA) are. I know some Americans who are more "french like" than some french people I know.

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I love film, so my mind goes immediately to French avant-garde films. In my view, everyone dresses slick and proper with just enough of an impressionist flair to make them stand out from the crowd; maybe add in a wine glass and cigarette in hand, and voilà. So, essentially, what we call a hipster, but with a darker, moodier twist. As for ones point of origin, I have always noticed an extreme amount of diversity in french film and simple exhibition (via YouTube videos about France), and it's so beautiful to see in a country outside my own.

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I think that french people are a whole lot more fashionable than most Americans and they dont really try.

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A typical French person is someone who is very fashionable. I also picture French people to be very confident in their appearance and in who they are. French people care about more than just their appearance. They come from a variety of cultures and are very different people. Even within France itself, the different regions have their own traditions, folklore, and languages.
(Kurt Hildebrandt)

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A French person is more than just their stylish clothes and stereotypical hats, they differ from one place to the next, allowing foreign culture, language and traditions to blend into their own leading to a beautiful unique blend of their own.
-c

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In one of the pictures the French man is sort of leisurely walking on the streets it seems. I have always had this thought in my head that France was a place where people went to enjoy life. Like there it was a little more carefree environment. In every sense. The people, architecture, scenery, vibes, etc. - Amaya K. Carter

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In America we speak formally and informally but the words we use tend to be acceptable for either situation while in France and other countries there’s almost a whole other set of words used depending on how familiar you are with a person or how formal the setting is.

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it was very stereotyped that they show skin until I did my own research and learned that in France women are very modest fashion models. I learned that its not usual to see someone in shorts and if they are it most likely a tourist.

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The common French stereotype is usually paired with fancy cheese, baguettes, cool hats, and rudeness; the American stereotype is the valley girl accent, workaholic, and the obsession with everything patriotic. Although these stereotypes fit some people, they do not apply to a large amount of the American population. The same can be said about the French population that includes a very diverse group of people from different backgrounds and cultures. France has a large immigrant population which enriches the country by adding new beliefs, languages, practices and more.
- Chloe Hamilton

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One of the points that was made was that France is a multicultural society. Its a country that borders other European countries and draws many foreigners specifically because of its culture. I can see how it is multi faceted but I can also see how the typical French person can fit into a stereotype.
- Abigail Elizarraga

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Yeah for some reason I always feel like French people always dress nicer and majestic, but that is probably because I feel that I do not dress myself like that on a daily basis, but I am sure there are random people wearing t-shirts and shorts.
-Alfredo Gonzalez

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I've had the opportunity to visit France when I was a senior in highschool, and no they do not wear berêts . Some people do dress nice, but for the most part they do dress casually. One thing that surprised me is that younger guys are very fashionable, some more than girls.

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I've had the opportunity to visit France when I was a senior in highschool, and no they do not wear berêts . Some people do dress nice, but for the most part they do dress casually. One thing that surprised me is that younger guys are very fashionable, some more than girls.

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I agree with the article. I think as a regular person with no knowledge of the French culture, I would assume that everyone in France is dressed fashionably and classy as we see in movies or the media. Although, France is multicultural and it's so interesting that in France today there are over eleven million foreigners! 

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I agree with the article. I think as a regular person with no knowledge of the French culture, I would assume that everyone in France is dressed fashionably and classy as we see in movies or the media. Although, France is multicultural and it's so interesting that in France today there are over eleven million foreigners! 

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-Naomi Zepeda

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I think a typical French people is fashionable, because they are from a diverse country with multi-cultural. And also It’s capital Paris known of fashion shows worldwide.

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When people think of France, they think of the Eiffel Tower and people in berets and striped turtle-necks, eating snails or frog legs. Personally, I want to go to France because I love cheese! I met a French teacher in high school who told me all about France and their cheese, and I haven't stopped dreaming of it since.
Besides that, while there's a lot that surrounds the French culture, I don't think there really is a "typical" French person. I think all those immigrants find a way to appreciate their culture in their own way, making French culture a lovely mix of a bit of everything. I find that beautiful, especially watching the way our country prides itself on having a huge amount of immigrants, but we don't appreciate other cultures as much.

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When I think of a typical french person, I think of someone smoking while walking and talking with friends. I also imagine them sitting a cafe having a cup of coffee alongside, yes, another cigarette
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I think the stereotype that French people are fashionable has a lot of truth behind it. But that obviously doesn't mean that everyone in France has great fashion sense. But in my opinion, I don't think that is a very bad stereotype to have for a country.

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An old gentleman genuinely rooted in a region and tradition where this was once common. He was wearing a beret.  Berets are fairly rare.  If you see someone wearing a beret with their everyday clothes today, they’re either trying to make a statement, or, if they’re a woman, maybe they’re trying to look old-school glamorous or whims
French girl style is stylish, simple, dynamic and chic.
This is Thuy Tuong Van Nguyen.

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I particularly enjoy the stereotype that French women are all stylish and put-together. I suppose I enjoy it because it seems to be the least damaging of the other stereotypes, such as the ones that purport that French people smoke consistently. I feel that French style is just bit different than American style which might be why we think they are fashionable, as well as the fact that fashion week is a huge event for French fashion fanatics.

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This is Diana Del Muro. I found it very interesting and wholesome that the French accepted how diverse they started to become. I enjoyed the line in the text that states, "... French culture has been enriched by the contributions of its immigrant populations." I think that says a lot about the French people.

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This is Jamal.
I found it very interesting how the French have so many immigrants, that is something i wasn't aware of. I think the fact that they are so accepting of them is also a very welcoming aspect. Even tho the culture is becoming more diverse I think the core aspect of what makes up the culture will never change.

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The article talks about how French people fit one or more of the cultural French stereotypes but not all. I agree with this statement because all people usually fit into one or more of the stereotypes of their groups. I have met a French person from Bourg-en-Bresse, and they loved designer everything. That fits into the French stereotype of looking chic and fashionable. However, they didn't fit into all the other stereotypes. French people are just as diverse as all other people.
-Jesus Cano

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The beginning of the article asked if we imagined French women to be very fashionable. That is something that I often associate with the French. Not just the women though. It is just often suggested that the French are high class and extremely fashionable.

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The beginning of the article asked if we imagined French women to be very fashionable. That is something that I often associate with the French. Not just the women though. It is just often suggested that the French are high class and extremely fashionable.

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-Trinity Arashiro

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I have always believed the stereotype of french men and women having an great sense of style since that is how the media portrays it  but now  I see where it comes from. They have great fashion statements due to the multi-culture of France                                       . -Sandra Alvarez

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I've always tended to imagine French people as fitting into a stereotype (the kind of fashionable bit 🤬 stereotype)as people typically tend to do of other. The book obviously points out that not all people fit into a specific stereotype as most multicultural societies tend to.
- Logan Walker

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I have always imagined French people as fashionable & maybe also thought of the stereotype of them wearing berets. I think also growing up watching movies & tv shows, Paris is just always seen as the huge scene for fashion so that's why I always thought that. I've also heard the other stereotype of them being rude or 🤬 but I don't really know what to believe on this because I don't really know any French people like that to form an opinion. I think maybe like someone said somewhere above me that they seem more well put together than us (Americans) so I guess I do kind of agree with them being seen as fashionable.

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I have always imagined French people as fashionable & maybe also thought of the stereotype of them wearing berets. I think also growing up watching movies & tv shows, Paris is just always seen as the huge scene for fashion so that's why I always thought that. I've also heard the other stereotype of them being rude or 🤬 but I don't really know what to believe on this because I don't really know any French people like that to form an opinion. I think maybe like someone said somewhere above me that they seem more well put together than us (Americans) so I guess I do kind of agree with them being seen as fashionable.

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-Jenny Chavez-Diaz

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I think the statement that the French have preserved their culture along with welcoming the contributions brought on by its immigrant populations definitely is true. I imagine that most French people are very proud of their heritage and seem very open and welcoming to new ideas. I think that French people have a very diverse culture aside from the stereotypes they are given on television and films, and a lot of it has to do with the embracing of immigrants and the cultures that they have been introduced to.     -Melissa Romero

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I think the statement that the French have preserved their culture along with welcoming the contributions brought on by its immigrant populations definitely is true. I imagine that most French people are very proud of their heritage and seem very open and welcoming to new ideas. I think that French people have a very diverse culture aside from the stereotypes they are given on television and films, and a lot of it has to do with the embracing of immigrants and the cultures that they have been introduced to.     -Melissa Romero

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Reading the first few sentences of the text I automatically thought, yes I do picture men and women in France wearing bérets for some reason. I also always thought that they dressed in a more classy and fashionable way but I think that's because of how they are portrayed in movies and television shows. I'm sure people dress all types of ways.
- Nayeli Rios

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As many think including myself, people go based off what has be pro traded in magazines, billboards, and what is aired on television. but don't get me wrong there are an acceptation of the population that dress in the high fashion clothing and act as a high fashion person but the other part have their own way of expressing themselves just like others in their own country. in France it may seem different but that is anywhere you go and you adjust to their way of dd to day speaking and living but it is fascinating to how things are done.

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I agree with the article, but there is always exceptions to a case. But I think we have to understand a sterotype is a sterotype for a reason, such as being fashionable,educated,openminded, etc. 

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I agree with the article, but there is always exceptions to a case. But I think we have to understand a sterotype is a sterotype for a reason, such as being fashionable,educated,openminded, etc. 

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I agree with the article for the most part. I know for a fact every place has stereotypes. I know that France has a lot of diversity. I myself have pictured French people to be fashionable like the article mentions. I believe that's because that's what's shown in movies, article, etc.

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I agree with the article for the most part. I know for a fact every place has stereotypes. I know that France has a lot of diversity. I myself have pictured French people to be fashionable like the article mentions. I believe that's because that's what's shown in movies, article, etc.

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-McKenzie C.

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I agree with the article there are stereotypes everywhere but the French culture the core of it is unchanged.

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i also agree with what article says about french stereotypes and how they criticize the cultural but many must understand that all cultures are different and those are the uniqueness to the amazing and wondrous things that brought in all cultures 

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i also agree with what article says about french stereotypes and how they criticize the cultural but many must understand that all cultures are different and those are the uniqueness to the amazing and wondrous things that brought in all cultures 

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When you study a language and the cultures that go along with it, you're bound to come across stereotypes.

Here are some French stereotypes I regularly hear - and why they're not true. Or most of them, anyway....

1. French people wear berets

Quick: Imagine a typical, anonymous French person. Chances are, the person in your mind's eye was wearing a beret. But as anyone who's spent some time in France knows, berets are fairly rare.

They were somewhat popular in previous centuries, but over the past decades, they've become relegated to either traditional or military dress/uniforms, or an eccentric or nationalistic headpiece.

If you see someone wearing a beret with their everyday clothes today, they're either trying to make a statement, or an old gentleman genuinely rooted in a region and tradition where this was once common. Or, if they're a woman, maybe they're trying to look old-school glamorous or whimsical.
Sorry to shatter the illusion, but on the streets of Paris today, you're far more likely to see people wearing hoodies or even baseball caps, than berets.
2. French people stink

When you look for the origin of this French stereotype, the overall consensus seems to be that it comes from the French diet (or somewhat stereotypical diet) of onions and pungent cheeses.

But why would that make it true? If you eat a lot of onions or stinky cheese, does it make you smell any different?

In reality, a 2015 survey revealed that 57% of French people shower every day. This may sound like confirmation of the stereotype, but as an article in La Depeche points out, the French are far from being the dirtiest Europeans - that honor goes to the English, of whom 80% claim not to shower on a daily basis.

The percentage of French people who don't shower daily is also only slightly higher than Americans, who this Atlantic exposé considers to be of average cleanliness.

Those are the facts, as much as statistics can be trusted, anyway.

From personal experience, I'll say that in France, access to running water is the norm, and inexpensive shampoos and soaps are widely available. Also - another statistic - a majority of French people use deodorant. But I will admit, I do often smell body odor on public transportation or in crowded rooms.

I think that the reason for the persistent idea of the French being stinky comes down to proximity and heat. Unlike some countries, air conditioning isn't a given in most French places, and even when there is air conditioning, it's not usually at polar blast level.

Even when it's only a bit warm, due to the weirdly prevalent French fear of draughts, and you'll often have windows that remain firmly shut, even when it would be nice to get a breath of fresh air. In the US, where I grew up, I was rarely around sweaty people indoors, but in France, it happens all the time.

Add to this the fact that people here are often more packed together because there's such great public transportation and train networks, unlike in countries like mine, which depend mostly on people taking their own vehicle around.

And "people" may not be the issue. Just one unwashed, malodorous person (often, sadly, someone without access to running water, or an elderly person with different hygienic standards or difficulty cleaning him/herself) can make an entire Metro, tram, or train car - or an entire bus - stink, and it suddenly seems like everyone's to blame.

3. French people are rude

This is one of the most common French stereotypes, and probably the most unfair.

First of all, not all regions of France have the same general culture or attitude towards other people. It's probably like this in the country you're from, as well. In France, people from the North and people from the South are generally considered to be warm and friendly - and in my experience, they are.

On the other hand, even fellow French people will probably tell you that Parisians are rude. Part of this is because they're not necessarily talking about actual native Parisians but lumping them together with transplants from other regions of France who are in Paris to work and find it too fast-paced and urban, which makes them somewhat miserable all the time.

As a city person, and a former New Yorker, I do not understand either of these sentiments, but they're a thing. So, these people may not be radiating sunshine when you talk to them.

Still, as a longtime Paris resident, I know lots of people who (like me) are perfectly happy - even delighted - to live here, and even those who don't feel this way aren't necessarily downright rude.

This takes us to the second reason why the French/Parisians are seen as rude. For most French people, overtly expressing your emotions, smiling all the time, and just generally being warm and fuzzy and exaggerated makes you seem insincere, maybe even stupid.

This is why many French people have a hard time believing Americans like me, who have no problem saying things like, "That was the funniest movie I've EVER seen!" (and meaning it, in a certain way...for now). The French just don't show enthusiasm like that, and don't react to it in an overt, smiling way when other people do it. But it doesn't mean they don't feel happy or enthusiastic. It also doesn't mean they hate people who do.

Many people who say the French are rude are tourists. They may come from countries where the customer knows best. They may have previously been in countries where they're constantly greeted with smiles, even given compliments. Some of this, ultimately, may be insincere, but it's the way they think they should be treated.

In many places, if you just speak English to a waiter or shopkeeper without saying even a simple greeting in the local language, they'll try to help, but most French people will consider it rude and presumptuous (and also a kind of scary - more on that a bit later). And when you think about it, they have a point. If you think a French person is being rude to you, keep these things in mind, and when it comes to the point I've just made, ask yourself if you're being polite.

4. French people only listen to accordion music

Many of the stereotypes on this list come from dated impressions. The accordion wasa popular instrument in France in the 19 th century, up to around the 1930's, with its bal musette music. Today, you'll almost certainly hear accordions if you're strolling around central Paris. They won't be coming from a cabaret, but from a busker who wants to be paid for that expected melody.

Some performers do continue to keep accordion music alive, but most contemporary French music is pretty much like music in most Western countries. You have singers of all sorts, from traditional, folk, and regional groups, to pop and rap stars, not to mention a modern French music phenomenon: internationally famous DJ's and electronica stars like Daft Punk and David Guetta.

5. French women don't shave

In the nearly fifteen years I've lived in France, I've probably seen a handful of women who didn't shave their underarms, and I don't think I've ever met a woman who didn't shave her legs. The women with the unshaved underarms were older, maybe starting around age 50.

But globalization of pop culture and fashion and beauty standards means that an overwhelming majority of women from younger generations shave - more than 75%, according to a survey cited in La Parisienne. The article also reveals that nearly 80% of those surveyed were against the "all natural" movement touted by countless feminists and American pop stars like Miley Cyrus.

6. French people hate Americans

Let's not say "hate". Let's say that we're frenemies.

French people actually really like a lot of things about America. They're one of the biggest filmgoing populations in the world, for example, and most of those films are American.

They also love American music, TV series, and believe it or not, even American food, from McDonald's, to currently trendy street food (gourmet burgers and other food truck fare).

Most French people want to visit the United States, especially places they've seen in movies or on TV, and many have already been - even multiple times. Some even stay, including many French celebrities.

On the other hand, most French people disagree with a lot of aspects of US culture and politics, whether temporary issues like the current president, or concepts like the lack of universal healthcare coverage. As I've mentioned before, French people also tend to have a problem with most Americans' bombastic way of expressing our opinions and emotions.

Add to this the fact that French people see themselves as proudly resisting a world power whose language has overtaken theirs in the domains of diplomacy and travel, and you'll get some insight into that conflicting relationship.

So, if you're an American in France, will you automatically be hated? Mais non! But if you are getting a resentful vibe, show them that you're more than a stereotype.

7. Frenchmen are the most romantic people in the world

Ah, l'amour! The French have a reputation for being romantic and seductive. In surveys of the most romantic languages, French is often among the top results. Alas, this is another French stereotype that isn't necessarily true, although it's less "untrue" than the other stereotypes on this list.

The reason is that romance is relative. Remember what I've said about the French not being overt and expressive about emotions? If you're looking for a man who will be extremely affectionate and sing out their love for you, you're probably barking up the wrong tree. If you like grand, romantic gestures - prom-posals, skywriting and the like - look elsewhere.

On the other hand, if you like passion but not making a fuss about everything, prefer sex to a routine date, and value meaningful but not excessive gifts, you might want to give dating a Frenchman a try.

8. The French always surrender

I can understand the misconceptions behind other French stereotypes, but this one genuinely annoys me. If you're even remotely interested in history, you'll probably understand why.

For centuries, France was one of the most significant military powers in the world. Even if you don't know anything about William the Conqueror or the American Revolutionary War (they were our allies, fam!), you've probably heard of a dude named Napoleon Bonaparte. Under his leadership, the French army conquered most of western Europe. Even after his time, the French went on to military victories in conflicts around the world, as this exhaustive list shows.

So why the stereotype? It comes from World War II, when France was occupied by the Nazis. But even then, a number of French armed forces made their way to England, fighting for their country under leader Charles de Gaulle. And everyday French citizens fought too, in subtle ways we may never know about, as well as by becoming members of the Resistance or the Righteous Among the Nations (people who hid and/or helped Jews escape to safety).

Today, France is still a formidable military power, taking part in major world conflicts. So yeah, surrender isn't really a French thing.

9. The French are intellectuals

The French reputation for being intellectuals started in the Middle Ages, when Paris was the center of education for all of Europe, and it continued into the oh-so-cool philosophers and writers of the 1950's and '60's. The idea is still very present in pop culture today.

To some extent, there is a grain of truth to this French stereotype. For one thing, philosophy is an actual compulsory subject in French high schools.

Even out of school, many French people keep learning. Thanks to lots of vacation, they're able to travel and discover new places and cultures. Most French people like to be informed about national and international news, and you may just find yourself cornered by someone who wants to discuss a current event that you're barely aware of - even if it pertains to your own native country. (As someone who prefers TV series to the nightly news, this regularly happens to me.)

But you'll meet some perfectly average- or even daft-seeming people here, as well. And, for all the philosophy studies and reflection on current events, problems that many people think portent the end of civilization as we know it, such as text speak, are issues in France, too. Just watch some French reality TV shows (there are oh so many), and you'll see that not every French person is Jean-Paul Sartre or Simone de Beauvoir - nor do they want to be.

10. The French always eat gourmet meals

We often picture French people regularly sitting down to amazing, elaborate homemade meals that would be worthy of a five-star restaurant anywhere else.

While the French do value good food and quality meals, people are people, which means that many of them are too busy or tired or plain lazy to cook like that all the time.
Grocery stores, supermarkets, and Picard, a chain specialized in high-end frozen food, outnumber farmer's markets, even in France.
The French also enjoy fast food. Just watch the trailer for the recent French movie, Les dents, pipi et au lit. If you go to the 1:02 minute mark, you'll see a grown man torturing the kids who have invaded his apartment (long story) by eating McDonald's while they have to have a homecooked dinner. Yes, lots of French kids love McDonald's - although the restaurant's popularity wasn't always a given.

11. The French all have poodles

Dogs are the iconic French pet, right? In reality, there are almost twice the number of pet cats than canines here.

Still, many French people do love dogs. Millions of households have at least one, and yes, if you come to Paris, you're likely to see at least a few people promenading their pooches down the streets.

But one thing you'll probably notice is that very few of these are poodles, and if they are, you'll probably never see a poodle with the puffy haircut you're imagining. In fact, according to this study, poodles aren't even among the top twenty most popular dog breeds in France. Désolée, poodle fans!

12. All French people love to eat frogs' legs

Although frogs' legs are a legitimate thing here in France, and some people enjoy them, they're not as popular as this popular French steoreotype would have you believe.

Since moving to France more than a decade ago, I've been served (but not always eaten) everything from standard meals of chicken, pork, and beef, to less common fare like rabbit, snails, and tripe. I have never had frogs' legs. I've seen them on menus but only in touristy places.

But in case you think this is some conspiracy to keep France's delicious frogs' legs to myself, check out this list of the top ten most popular dishes in France, based on a recent survey. No cuisses de grenouilles to be found.

If you need even more proof that frogs' legs aren't on the menu for every French person, look no further than Rainettes, a recently-opened restaurant in Paris's Marais district. Its novelty is that it specializes in this otherwise fairly rare dish.

When it comes to the lower part of an animal that most French people seem to love, think chicken drumsticks, or even pigs' feet. That's another specialty, but I know more French people who eat pigs' feet, than frogs' legs!

13. French people can't or won't speak English

Not all French people speak English, but most of the people I know here have at least a basic notion of simple words and phrases.

There are three reasons why a French person may not speak English to you:

1. They truly don't know how to speak English. This is especially common among older generations.

2. They're fed up with people just assuming they speak English. Picture this scenario: You're at work, when someone bustles in and starts forcefully talking to you in a language you barely understand. That would be a little off-putting and intimidating, right? Many French people deal with this regularly. English is the lingua franca of tourism, but many tourists take it too far. I've seen people from all around the world strut up to a French shopkeeper and without so much as attempting a Bonjour, just rattle off "Yeah, I want to buy that keychain." In this case, they're the ones being rude. No matter what country you're visiting, take time to learn how to say "Hello", "Goodbye," "Please," and "Thank you" in the local language.

3. They're intimidated. This is probably the most common reason a French person won't speak English to you. The French seem like confident, romantic, cynical souls, so it's hard to believe that they're scared of you, a mere tourist. But their fear is rooted in childhood. French teachers have no problem openly critiquing - even borderline mocking - their students. Marks are regularly shared, not kept confidential like they are in the US, for example. I've worked at French elementary schools and was regularly shocked to see teachers - who were perfectly qualified, kind, and devoted - say things like, "Well, she's a bit stupid." about a student. The kids themselves aren't any better, regularly teasing each other and classifying each other as a good or bad student, laughing at each other in class, and so on.

And it doesn't get better with age. First of all, ask just about any French adult, and they'll automatically tell you, "French people are bad at English," or even bad at all languages altogether.

I think the opening paragraph of this article about language learning statistics sums it up perfectly. The author begins:

Ce n'est pas un grand secret, les Français ne sont pas des champions en matière de langues étrangères. A commencer par notre chef de l'Etat. Rappelez-vous qu'il avait écrit un seul mot en anglais sur sa lettre de félicitations à Barack Obama pour sa réélection, "friendly" pour dire "amicalement" ce qui est un non sens. (It's no big secret, the French aren't exactly foreign language champions. Just look at our Head of State. Remember that he wrote a single English word in the letter he sent to congratulate Barack Obama on his reelection: "friendly", instead of "Amicably", which is nonsense.)

Ouch. Not only does that put down French people in general - it even goes after former president François Hollande for a relatively minor mistake. This is what French people are up against. and not just from cranky journalists.

I might be hanging out with a group of adult friends, and if one of them dares to say something in English, the others are often quick to mock their "bad accent". Understandably, this leads to many French adults - even ones with powerful jobs or enviable looks or super-intelligence - to be extremely hesitant about speaking English.

So that's the real reason why most French people would refuse to speak to you, even if you're just asking them where the bathroom is.

Hopefully this article has shed some light on why these common French stereotypes are flawed.

The next time you interact with a French person, try to notice things about them beyond the language they're speaking. You'll probably find that they don't fit any of these stereotypes. And if they do, you'll at least have some insight into why.

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13 hilarious French stereotypes (and why they are wrong)

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French people are rude and never shave, or do they? Discover the truth behind 13 hilariously wrong French stereotypes!

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Meghan Dillon:
The majority of francophone people are of Latin or Celtic decent, but France and French speaking countries are quite multi-cultural.

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In France, in the movies all you see is the French people wearing their berets and being stylish. While some people wear bérets, they are not as common as we would think. They are just a stereotype that has been pushed onto the French, just like how Americans are fat is pushed on to us. There are many stereotypes that circulate through every culture, but in France bérets are not as common and more of a stereotype. -Colin Baldis

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This is Moises Anaya. I always wondered if that's a big thing in France of if its somewhat of a stigma towards the french. I did some research and cafes have been a staple in France since the 17th century and that its the center of social and culinary life in pairs. Se magnifique!

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I think french people have an amazing sense of fashion and artistic creativity compared to Americans. I know a lot of fashion shows are held in Paris so that might be the reason for the fashion sense. I like to think that french people are very diverse, There is variety of nationalities.

-jocelyn jaimes manriquez

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I think it's interesting that there is such a large proportion of immigrants in France.
I had a stereotype of it in my mind of France being very homogeneous and white. This is probably partially because I'm a big fan of film and most of the French films I've seen are fairly old. Additionally, my friend who has been to France told me how it was odd that the bits they visited had absolutely no people of color. However, it's possible that she visited a part of the country that was out of the norm. I think the idea of the country having a policy of terre d'accueil is interesting when I think about this stereotype.

-Kole Ruiz

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Priscilla Salcido -
I was surprised to read about the demographics of the French population. Like America, immigrants from many areas start new lives in France. The typical European French woman I would most likely picture in my head wouldn't be an inaccurate assumption. It would be okay to picture an African French woman too or an Asian French woman. From reading this article, I learned that France is a country of many nationalities.

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Reading the article it was interesting to find out francophones exist all throughout the world, but France has the largest population among them. France is a multiethnic society with no particular ethnic group. While most of francophones are of Celtic or Latin ancestry, France has a large North and West African population. In today's France, there are more than 10 million foreigners and immigrants. France maintains a strong sense of culture through the preservation of its language, history, and traditions, but the contributions of its immigrant populations are undeniably valuable.
-Virginia

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My name is Roman Banuelos, and the image that I always thought of when thinking about a French person is a beret with a black and white striped shirt and a red scarf. I'm not sure why that is the stereotyped image of a french person but it was interesting to learn that France has a multitude of races and ethnicities. I'm sure people wear berets but there are so many different people there, and there are probably some people with who we could find similarities.

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According to the article, France is a multiethnic society with no particular ethnic group. While the majority of francophones are of Celtic or Latin ancestry, France also boasts a sizable population of North and West Africans.  This was quiet interesting to learn about France. -Nadia Alsoufi

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The article "Qu'est-ce qu'un francophone typique?" briefly describes typical stereotypes of a french person, including: stylish and graceful women & wearing a béret. However, the article then transitions into an explanation of how "France is a multicultural society with no single, national ethnicity." I disagree with the stereotypes listed in the article, as cultural diffusion plays a key role in the country of France. France maintains strong connections with it's culture; however, it is "enriched by the contributions of its immigrant populations." Ultimately, disregarding the typical stereotypes of a french person. -Adan D. Santamaria

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French society is closely linked with high fashion. This comes to no surprise as the culture here is a mix of ancestry. The African and Latin background of the society is evident through out the history of fashion. Also, I was surprised to read about the regional languages in France, i hope we got to learn a little about those in a future class. -Robert Phillips-

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According to the article France is multicultural society with no single national ethnicity. It has over 10 million foreigners and immigrants. I picture a typical French person to have great style and dress elegant. I think the black beret is something that they used to wear often and now may only wear in certain areas in France.

Paola Lacan

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I have read many stories where French people are portrayed to always be wearing a classic French striped shirt, and wearing a beret. I have now grown to understand that stereotypes follow everyone everywhere and that is just another one. Now, I believe there is no way to specifically narrow someone down as a typical French person since it a very diverse country. It was fascinating to learn  that there are alot of immigrants and the culture is very diverse.
- Kazzandra Martinez

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Who knew France was home to many immigrants from foreign countries. There are no single, national ethnicity and is a multicultural society.

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France is a multicultural society with no single, national ethnicity. France is home to more of them than any other country. A typical Frech person would be more elegant and having a sense of trend. They probably know how to style beret with an outfit. - Guvinder Kaur

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A French stereotype would be a very flirty Caucasian person who would be very addicted to smoking. This fabulous person would be caught in café and be a coffee enthusiast. I figured that France would have a diverse culture due to immigration but not as diverse as it is. It's fascinating to see the impact the immigrants from long ago (and today) are making on France's society.

- Jeanna Lao

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Frenchmen can be multicultural people with no single nationality.

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Based on my observations, like many nationalities, French people have their stereotypes.
French people are romantic, i believe french is one of the most romantic language in the world.
They barely understand english, sometimes they are rude, especially parisians.
They value good food, they have good coffee, and the best croissants.