To The French People, My Sincerest Apologies

To French Customer Service, You Suck

Photo by Carol Spivey

I’d been to France before, over four decades ago. Before going, I’d heard a constant theme about Parisians; they are rude. I tried going with an open mind, but everything I experienced seemed to back it up. Rude servers who were upset if you ordered in English (they were also upset if you mangled the French language). No respect for lines, pushing, and cutting in front. I got curt responses to questions. Almost my entire previous time in France was spent in Paris. I eventually rented a car and drove to other destinations in Switzerland, Italy, and Monaco. But my interactions with French people were in the city of Paris and Orly Airport. I left having confirmed my preconceptions. The French people were rude.

This trip was to be a bit different; it would include almost a week in Paris, with a side trip to Milandes in the south of France, which I will write about separately, and two nights in Versailles, along with seeing London, Rome, and the Tuscany region of Italy. I’ll also write about some of those places, but today we’re talking about France and its people.

Our trip got off to a poor start because our two large bags got lost. We changed flights in Manchester, England, and had flown on two separate airlines (Virgin Atlantic and Air France). All there was…