Language/French/Culture/Les-clichés
If "cliché" is a French word, it's probably because the French are loooving to judge each other. 😉
Definition
A cliché is an idea of something thought by a lot of people about something they never have seen (or heard or smelt or touched or ate...), generally wrong.
Some countries seen by many French
United States
Probably the people seen the most negatively by the French. The American are seen as fat (because of the fast food that came from this country), dumb and too rich (which is not really appreciated in France). But the american influence is however appreciated (films, music, stars).
Americans Can't Stop Eating
Americans and food...a great love story! Fans of fast food, they eat burgers and donuts and drink sodas all day long. At the same time it's so good...
United Kingdom
The French think that English people are living in the whole country. So the clichés are about them. They are seen as snobs, weird and people who don't know how to cook. Irish (they're independant, but not for all French) and Scottish are always drunk and know how to animate parties. French people love the Queen Elizabeth II and like to know more about the royal family.
The English are always drunk
The English drink like hell and beer is the national drink, be careful not to end up like them if you take a flight from Paris to London... Unless you prefer a cup of tea, the other so British favorite drink.
Japan
The Japanese are quite appreciated by the French, for their culture, especially japanese food, mangas and animes, but also traditional culture as well. They are perceived as quiet, polite and hard-workers.
Germany
They are seen as always eating sausages and bretzels, drinking too much beer and speaking a weird and complicated language. A lot of german tourists come to France especially during summer, so the cliché of the fat german tourist coming only for summer is widely spread in the country.
The Germans are all blond and naturist
You only have to take a flight from Paris to Berlin to realize it, the Germans are all blond with blue eyes! Apart from that they are tall, do naturism and drink beer... And the socks raised up to the knees in the sandals are we talking about it or not?
Italia
The biggest clichés about Italia are that they eat pizza, pasta and ice cream, living in beautiful cities like Venice and Roma and riding Vespa scooters. They are seen to be more catholic, talking loudly and making a lot of gestures. Italian language is seen as romantic as well as italian men.
Italians are macho
Mamma mia, how macho these Italians are! They think they are superior to women, are always right, know how to do everything better than you except of course household chores... Yes in Italy, women have to stay at home and take care of their companion... Honey you will prepare me a carpaccio, a risotto and a latte macchiato. Okay...what else?
Spain
The inhabitants of Spain are seen as living near the beach, always eating paella and turron, eating at 3PM and going to bed very late; men are attractive too.
Russia
The people of the country is seen very bad; corrupted, drinking a lot of vodka and very conservative. The newspapers write badly of this country; it is cold, there is few democracy and freedom, and Russian love to put themselves in weird or dangerous situations.
Russian women are the most beautiful in the world
It is well known, Russians are considered the most beautiful women in the world. Anna Kournikova, Irina Shayk, Viki Odintcova... real fighter planes that make men all over the world fantasize! On the other hand, the same cannot be said for Russian men... :-P
Canada
Canadians are all loggers and hunt caribou
Aside from their funny accent, Canadians are often pictured wearing red checkered shirts, axes in hand chopping wood from morning till night. Yes Canadians are all loggers and hunters of caribou, whose heads, stuffed, are found suspended above their chimneys. Take a flight from Paris to Montreal, you'll see ;-)
Portugal
The Portuguese are hairy
This cliché more or less based on the Portuguese and in particular the Portuguese has a hard tooth. The Portuguese do not know the razor, the Portuguese have to take out the brushcutter every morning to remove their hair... These women have to put up with the worst jokes about their supposedly abundant hairiness. Well, you have to admit, it's still funny!
Spain
Spaniards always take a siesta
If you've ever taken a flight to Spain, you must have realized that most shops are closed in the afternoon... for the simple and (very) good reason that Spaniards take a siesta. What do we envy them...
France
The French moan all the time
The Netherlands
The Dutch are all tall
It's proven, the Dutch are the tallest men on the planet. Not hard to believe, they are all 3 meters high! And their bikes don't talk about it, just if it wouldn't take a ladder to reach the saddle!
Ireland
The Irish are all red
In Ireland it's simple, no matter where you go, on every street corner and in the pubs, they are all, I mean ALL redheads! If you're taking a flight from Paris to Dublin, consider getting a dye to blend in with the crowd ;-) That said, their Scottish neighbors aren't bad either... This is what Axelle brings back to me when she goes to Ireland #coeursurelle #irish #roux pic.twitter.com/kneJR9lcXJ
China
The Chinese only eat rice and spring rolls
If they work 24 hours a day, the Chinese still take the time to eat. And when we think of Chinese gastronomy, we think of rice, rice, and more rice, accompanied by spring rolls of course! And yet the nem is a Vietnamese specialty...
Australia
Australians all surf
And all have blond, long hair. Yes you see this guy with blond hair from the sun who carries his surfboard against his muscular and beardless chest... Hmmm... Surfing is indeed a real institution in the country, it is even THE national sport.
That's all for the moment !
Hope you'll look "more French" right now !