Exploring stereotypes about France and the French • FRANCE 24 English
Summary
TLDRThis episode of French Connections Plus explores the stereotypes about the French, including their love for strikes, complaints, and mime artists. It discusses cultural nuances like the striped top and beret, and addresses misconceptions like poor hygiene and a nation of smokers. The show also touches on the French reputation for romance and love of food, challenging clichés while celebrating the country's unique cultural identity.
Takeaways
- 🇫🇷 The French are often stereotyped as being frequently on strike, which is a visible part of everyday life in France.
- 🗣️ French people are known for their propensity to complain, which is seen as a social function rather than a sign of constant negativity.
- 🤔 The stereotype of the French being tight-lipped is contrasted with their love for conversation and debate.
- 🎭 The mime is a peculiar French cliché that dates back to the early Greeks and Romans, and was popularized in France in the 16th century.
- 👨🎨 The famous mime Marcel Marceau used his act to aid the French Resistance during World War II, highlighting the cliché's deeper historical significance.
- 👕 The striped top, or 'marcel', is a French clothing cliché that originated in Brittany and was popularized by Coco Chanel in the 20th century.
- 🎩 The beret is a symbol of French culture, traditionally worn by shepherds and now a fashion staple, despite not being commonly worn by modern French people.
- 🧀 The cliché that French people never shower and rely on garlic and stinky cheese to cover body odor is outdated and not reflective of modern French hygiene.
- 🚬 France has a reputation as a chain-smoking nation, but public policy has significantly reduced the number of smokers in recent years.
- 💖 The French are often seen as romantic and passionate, with a cultural tradition that embraces love and seduction.
- 🍽️ The French have a deep appreciation for food and gastronomy, which is a significant part of their cultural identity.
Q & A
What is the main theme of the 40th episode of French Connections Plus?
-The main theme of the 40th episode of French Connections Plus is exploring the intricacies of life in France and tearing apart common clichés about the French.
What is one of the biggest clichés mentioned about the French in the episode?
-One of the biggest clichés mentioned is that the French are always on strike.
How is the act of striking in France connected to another stereotype?
-The act of striking is connected to the stereotype of the French being frequent protesters or demonstrators, often taking to the streets to defend their rights.
What is the cultural difference that might be misunderstood as the French complaining all the time?
-The cultural difference is that complaining in France has a social function, similar to small talk, and is not necessarily a sign of being in a bad mood.
What is the historical background of the mime stereotype associated with the French?
-The mime stereotype dates back to the early Greeks and Romans, and it was later popularized in France with the development of modern miming by Jean Gaspar de Bourrelle and performances by Marcel Marceau.
Why is the striped top (Breton stripe) associated with the French?
-The striped top is associated with the French because it originally comes from the region of Brittany and was later popularized by designer Coco Chanel.
How did the beret become a symbol of French culture?
-The beret became a symbol of French culture because it was traditionally worn by shepherds in the Basque Country and later adopted as part of the French military uniform and as a fashion item worldwide.
What is the origin of the stereotype that French people never shower?
-The stereotype that French people never shower may have originated from the limited access to running water in the past, but it is considered outdated by most French people today.
How does the French smoking culture relate to their image as 'stinky' or 'garlic eaters'?
-The French smoking culture is seen as romantic and rebellious rather than a lack of self-control. It's associated with the arts and might have contributed to the stereotype of the 'stinky' French person, along with the consumption of strong-smelling foods like garlic.
What is the role of the media in perpetuating stereotypes about the French?
-The media plays a significant role in perpetuating stereotypes about the French by amplifying certain ideas and presenting them as truths, which can be difficult to shake off.
How do the French view the romantic clichés associated with their culture?
-While some romantic clichés about the French, such as being passionate lovers, are seen as part of their cultural identity, others are scrutinized in the wake of social movements like #MeToo.
What is the French attitude towards food as portrayed in the episode?
-The French are portrayed as having a deep appreciation and love for food, with gastronomy being an integral part of their lifestyle, which is considered a true aspect of French culture.
Outlines
🎭 French Stereotypes: Strikes, Mime, and More
The script begins by introducing the show 'French Connections Plus', which aims to explore the nuances of life in France and challenge common clichés about the French. The host discusses the stereotype of the French being frequently on strike, highlighting the visibility of strikes due to accompanying protests. The French are also portrayed as complainers, but this is framed as a cultural difference rather than a negative trait. The conversation then shifts to the iconic French mime, tracing its history from ancient Greece and Rome to its peak in France during the 16th century. The script mentions famous mimes like Jean Gaspar de Bourrelle and Marcel Marceau, who used his art to aid the French Resistance during WWII. The discussion also touches on the striped top, a French clothing cliché that originated in Brittany and was popularized by Coco Chanel.
🧢 The Beret and the Myth of the 'Stinky French'
This section delves into the stereotype of the French wearing berets, a hat traditionally made from wool and associated with the Basque country. It discusses the beret's history, its use by shepherds, and its adoption into the French military uniform. The script notes that despite trends, the beret remains a symbol of French elegance. It then addresses the cliché of the French not showering often, suggesting this might be linked to historical limitations in water access. The stereotype of the French being smelly due to eating garlic and stinky cheese is debunked as outdated. The conversation also touches on the French being perceived as chain smokers, a stereotype that is changing due to public policy reducing the number of smokers.
💖 The Romantic Reputation of the French
The final paragraph discusses the positive stereotype of the French being romantic, passionate lovers. It acknowledges the French reputation for seduction and public displays of affection, which are less taboo than in some cultures. The script also mentions the impact of the #MeToo movement on French flirting and chivalry. The love of food in France is highlighted, with a nod to traditional dishes like snails, frog legs, and French onion soup. The French gastronomy culture is celebrated as a way of life, and the script concludes by inviting viewers to engage with the show on social media.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Stereotypes
💡La Greve
💡Manifestation
💡Mime
💡Marina
💡Beret
💡Cliché
💡Galentri
💡Gastronomy
💡Coco Chanel
💡Emily in Paris
Highlights
The French are often perceived as always being on strike.
Strikes in France are common and often accompanied by protests.
French people are known for their propensity to complain, which is seen as a social function rather than a sign of unhappiness.
The stereotype of the mime originates from historical French theater and was popularized by figures like Jean Gaspar de Bourrelle and Marcel Marceau.
The striped top, or 'magnet', is a French clothing cliche that became fashionable due to Coco Chanel and is now a wardrobe staple.
The beret is a symbol of French culture, despite its origins in the Basque country and being traditionally worn by shepherds.
The stereotype of French people not showering often is considered outdated and linked to historical lack of running water.
France is known for its perfume culture, which contrasts with the stereotype of body odor.
Smoking is seen as a romantic gesture in France, despite the decline in smokers due to public policy.
The number of stereotypes about the French may be due to the country's prominence in popular imagination and as a top tourist destination.
Stereotypes about the French often contain a grain of truth but are often exaggerated and perpetuated by media and popular culture.
Cultural differences can contribute to the formation of stereotypes, which can reduce complex cultures to simple ideas.
The French are often seen as romantic and passionate, with a tradition of seduction and public displays of affection.
French cuisine is a source of national pride, with a focus on gastronomy and regional specialties.
Some French culinary cliches, such as eating snails and frog legs, are true but not consumed daily.
The show invites viewers to engage by tweeting questions or reaching out on social media.
Transcripts
[Music]
hello and welcome to this 40th episode
of french connections plus this show is
all about exploring the intricacies of
life here in france and tearing apart
some of the common cliches about the
french and there are so many stereotypes
always fascinating frequently baffling
france is a country that non-french
people love to try and boil down into
preconceived notions so what are these
top cliches about the french and why are
some of them so hard to wash off join us
for this french connections plus a
special show on french stereotypes
[Music]
we asked you for some of your favorite
cliches about the french and boy there
were a lot one of the biggest ones that
kept coming up was that the french are
always on strike at least that's what
both stuart russell and kathy thomas
said well la greve certainly does pepper
everyday life here in france whether
it's public transport ground to a halt
air traffic controllers keeping planes
on the ground or even your local pool
can be shut because staff is on strike
but i think this is such a visible
cliche because a strike is often
accompanied by a protest a la
manifestation now that's another
stereotype that's definitely a true one
french people don't hesitate to take to
the streets usually to defend their
hard-earned games and this leads to
another stereotype about the french and
that is that we complain all the time
now it is true that the french love to
grumble
but i think this is a cultural
difference that can get lost in
translation it's not that french people
are in a bad mood all the time it's that
complaining has kind of a social
function people here don't complain so
much about very personal things it's
more about the strikes bureaucracy the
government it's a conversational tick a
way of doing small talk the way the
british will talk about the weather it's
easy to bond over something that's not
personal apart from all the small talk
the french can also be very tight-lipped
but that's a whole different stereotype
if you ask a foreigner to imagine a
perfect french cliche often a peculiar
image comes to mind a mime the funny
thing though is if you ask french people
many aren't even aware of the
association
so why the mime
well back in the day the silent art form
was a big deal though the french
certainly didn't invent it in europe
miming dates back to the early greeks
and romans later in 15th century italy
it was absorbed into the hugely popular
comedia del arte
thanks to traveling street performers it
finally came to france in the late 16th
century and it flourished with mime
schools popping up around the country
over the years the popular genre was
sustained by a long line of chalk-faced
frenchmen
in the 1820s jean gaspar de burro the
father of modern miming developed piero
a lovable and lovesick character
but perhaps the most famous mime in
recent history was marcel marxo
performances of his persona beeped the
clown achieved international acclaim
marxo put his mime act to heroic good
use while working for the french
resistance during the second world war
and helping jewish children escape
occupied france
his first major performance was in front
of 3 000 troops after the liberation of
paris which may explain why he was such
a big hit in the united states maxo says
he was inspired by charlie chaplin
meanwhile he's credited with inspiring
his friend michael jackson and a certain
moonwalk
[Music]
as you just saw french mimes are often
depicted wearing a stripey top it's
known here as a magnet and it's a real
french clothing cliche classic the
striped top originally comes from the
region of brittany back in the day
sailors le macha wore them as
undergarments and later it was adopted
as a uniform in the navy la marin now la
marina went mainstream and became a
popular garment for men women and
children thanks to the designer coco
chanel now she made it fashionable all
the way back in 1916 but since then
other designers like yves saint laurent
or especially jean-paul gaultier have
made the magnet a real part of their
collections these days it's a staple
that you'll find in many french people's
wardrobe and that can't be said for
another accessory that a lot of people
associate with the french
the beret
soft and round like a crep warm
waterproof and practical the beloved
beret has become the symbol of all
things french along with the baguette of
course
this quintessentially garlic hat has
been adopted as a fashion item around
the world from pop stars and royalty to
bohemian hipsters and revolutionary
fighters not to mention a certain emily
in paris
abroad people certainly associate the
beret with france but do french people
really wear them
traditionally made out of wool the beret
has been around since the middle ages in
france people call it le bere basque
from the basque country but it was
actually shepherds in the neighboring
bayan region who developed it
gascon
snug in the front flipped back tilted on
the side there are several ways of
donning the hat
be it in summer fall winter or spring
the beret is an accessory for men and
women alike and even part of the french
military uniform
though it goes in and out of trendiness
the beret remains a fashion staple and
an eternal symbol of french elegance
when it comes to cliches some are hard
to wash off take for example the notion
that french people never shower tias
aguilar wrote to say the french eat
garlic in bed and prefer stinky cheese
to cover their body odor for the record
he did say it's part of what makes them
likable when people think of us
frenchies a common image that comes to
mind is the cartoon character pepe le
pew le pew a skunk which is paradoxical
because france is also known for its
vibrant perfume culture well maybe that
does make sense actually back in the day
access to running water was limited but
today most french people say that
stereotype is outdated perhaps the
stinky french person reputation is
linked to another cliche and that is
that france is a chain smoking nation
now this is one of the biggest culture
shocks for tourists when they come to
france smoking is still associated with
the arts and culture rather than a tacky
lack of self-control it's seen as a
romantic almost rebellious gesture a
rejection of a puritan society obsessed
with self-betterment things are changing
though thanks to public policy the
number of smokers has dropped
dramatically in france but even as
things change some stereotypes are just
hard to stamp out
[Music]
to poke a little further into the
seemingly bottomless pit that are french
cliches i'm joined by lindsay tramuta
thank you so much for being with us
today on french connections thanks for
having me so you are a paris-based
journalist and author of the book the
new parisienne which is all about
tearing apart stereotypes it seems like
the number of stereotypes about the
french is a little exaggerated compared
to the size of the country i mean if you
compare it to neighboring countries
germany or or spain there seems to be
more cliches about the french why this
obsession about the french i think first
of all france looms large in a big way
in
popular imagination in fascination
you know certainly americans have been
coming here for generations and
generations and it is still
the most visited country in the world so
you know when you when you think of it
that way it's sort of normal that our
attention naturally
directs
uh toward any sort of story or idea that
comes out of that country so you've been
living in paris for over 15 years now
you're familiar with the locals what
percentage of these stereotypes are true
i mean i think when you talk about
stereotypes in general there's always a
nugget of truth i mean that's where
they're they're coming from
and
ultimately when you consider that why
stereotypes persist about anybody in
general or any nation it's our way of
making sense of the world it's a way of
understanding ourselves and our nation
in relationship to others but
unfortunately given how tribal we are
that can that can come with you know
negative qualifiers and then they get
perpetuated by popular culture media um
you know things like war any opportunity
that can allow these ideas to be
amplified and considered truth and so
it's very hard to shake them off and how
much do you think these stereotypes are
just cultural differences that get lost
in translation for sure i think there's
an element
of of truth related to cultural
differences but i think it is
um often
blown up
in order to again to make sense of a
people or a place
but then it reduces them and and that's
you know that's the big danger of of
stereotypes and particularly the most
pernicious of them
uh which is that it reduces
an entire set of people
to a few
half-truths or
near truths or embellished truths and
and that's what's so dangerous about
stereotype and and you know you see that
even now perpetuated with
big television shows about you know that
have featured france prominently emily
in paris
my favorite topic of conversation um
but you see it in literature you see it
in in politics i think you have to look
at all ways all of the ways that people
consume
ideas about places and people other than
themselves and you can find the source
of why they endure lindsay thank you so
much for being with us today on french
connection thank you
[Music]
[Music]
cliches aren't always negative many of
you pointed out that france and the
french are very romantic emma franks
wrote france is the country of love
while charles g said good kissers maybe
it's not such a cliche the french do
have the reputation of being passionate
first-class lovers i mean just look at
any hollywood film and it's true that we
have a lot going for us for instance
french has been called the language of
love the french have a long-standing
tradition with seduction seen as part of
the pleasure-driven lifestyle and
whether it's sex or pda it's just not
that taboo here even cheating isn't as
shunned as it is in some other countries
having said that things like french
flirting or chivalry galentri are coming
under increasing scrutiny in the wake of
the metoo movement there is one form of
love that's not controversial however
and that is our love of food even though
it's true that at times we eat some
questionable dishes for instance sylvie
leslie said that french people eat
snails and frog legs all the time and
don't forget french onion soup okay they
do eat those things some of the times
just not every day what is true is that
the french worship food whether it's
wine and cheese regional specialties
gastronomy is a real way of life and i'm
proud to say that that cliche is one
hundred percent true well that's all the
time we have for today's show thanks so
much for watching and don't forget you
can tweet your own questions at
fillville minnow or reach out on social
media and we'll see you soon for another
episode of french connections plus
[Music]
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