You’ve probably heard the rumors. Maybe it was a story from a cousin who got "snubbed" at a café in the 7th Arrondissement, or perhaps you’ve seen the Hollywood trope of the cigarette-smoking Parisian rolling their eyes at a loud tourist in a baseball cap. It's a cliché that has lived rent-free in our collective heads for decades. But honestly, do French people like Americans, or is the relationship just one long, awkward misunderstanding?
The truth is way messier. And a lot more interesting.
If you look at the data, the numbers actually tell a pretty positive story. According to recent Pew Research Center polling, a solid majority of French citizens—usually hovering between 60% and 75%—hold a favorable view of the United States. That’s a higher approval rating than we get from many of our other "close" allies. But if you’ve ever been stuck trying to order a pain au chocolat in broken French while a line forms behind you, those statistics might feel like a flat-out lie.
The gap between the "data" and the "vibe" exists because the French don't view Americans as a monolith. They might hate our foreign policy, love our movies, find our work ethic exhausting, and absolutely adore our jazz. It’s a crush. It’s a rivalry. It’s complicated.
The "Rude Parisian" Myth vs. Reality
Let's address the elephant in the room: the service.
Most Americans go to France, experience a waiter who doesn't check on them every five minutes, and assume they are being hated. They aren't. In France, a waiter’s job is to leave you alone so you can enjoy your meal. Hovering is considered rude. To an American used to "service with a smile" for the sake of a 20% tip, this feels like coldness. To a Frenchman, it's respect for your private time.
Culture shock is real.
I remember talking to a shopkeeper in Lyon who told me she loved American tourists because they were "enthusiastic like children," but she hated how they walked into her store without saying Bonjour. In France, Bonjour isn't just a greeting; it's a social contract. If you skip it, you’ve essentially told the person they don't exist. Of course they’re going to be short with you after that. You started it.
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It’s not about where you’re from; it’s about how you act.
France is a country of rules. Not necessarily laws, but social rituals that have been baked into the soil for centuries. When people ask do French people like Americans, what they are usually asking is: "Will they be mean to me?"
If you shout in a quiet metro car, yeah, they might judge you. If you expect everyone to speak English immediately without even trying a "Pardon," they’ll probably be annoyed. But that’s not anti-Americanism. That’s just pro-politeness. Interestingly, the French are often just as "rude" to other French people who don't follow the rules. Parisians, in particular, have a reputation for being prickly even toward people from the South of France. You aren't being singled out. You've just entered a very high-stakes game of etiquette.
A History of "Je t’aime, Moi Non Plus"
The relationship between France and the U.S. is the longest-running bromance in modern history. We wouldn't have won the Revolutionary War without French money and gunpowder. They wouldn't have their modern Republic without the inspiration of the American Enlightenment (and vice versa).
But being the "oldest ally" comes with baggage.
- 1944: The Liberation. American GIs were seen as heroes. You can still see "Merci" posters in small villages in Normandy. This generation had a deep, visceral love for Americans.
- The 1960s: Charles de Gaulle decides France needs to be independent of the U.S. "hyperpower." This is when the political friction really started.
- 2003: The "Freedom Fries" era. The Iraq War caused a massive rift. Protests in Paris were huge, and American sentiment toward France plummeted.
- Today: We are in a "cool" phase. Most young French people grew up on Netflix, iPhones, and burgers.
Walking through the Marais, you'll see lines out the door for "American-style" brunch spots. Hip-hop is the most popular music genre in France, and much of it is heavily influenced by the Atlanta and New York scenes. There is a deep, abiding fascination with American culture that exists entirely separately from what people think about the White House.
The Cultural Paradox
French people often find Americans "fake." They don't understand the "How are you?" that doesn't actually want an answer. They find the "Have a nice day!" to be a weird, forced command.
On the flip side, Americans often find the French "negative." In France, complaining is a form of intellectual engagement. If you say something is "perfect," the conversation ends. If you say something is "good, but the sauce is a bit heavy," you’ve started a debate. You’ve shown you have a brain.
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What they actually admire (secretly)
Surprisingly, many French professionals I’ve interviewed express a quiet admiration for American "can-do" spirit. France is a bureaucratic nightmare. Starting a business involves mountains of paperwork and a general social expectation that you will probably fail. The American willingness to just "try things" and fail fast is something younger Parisians are increasingly trying to emulate.
Also, they love our National Parks. Seriously. Ask a French person about their dream vacation, and nine times out of ten, they’ll say a road trip through Utah or California. They are obsessed with the "Big Space" of America.
Do French People Like Americans in the Professional World?
In the business sectors of La Défense, the vibe is different. French corporate culture is traditionally hierarchical. Decisions take forever. American corporate culture is—generally speaking—faster and more aggressive.
This is where the friction happens.
An American manager might think they are being "direct," while their French employee thinks they are being "brutal." A French worker might want to discuss the philosophy of a project for three hours, which makes the American manager want to scream. But despite these clashes, American companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are some of the most sought-after employers in France. Money talks. Tech talks. The prestige of working for a global American brand often outweighs the cultural gripes.
The Language Barrier is Actually a Pride Barrier
Here is the thing no one tells you: the French are embarrassed that their English isn't better.
France used to be the lingua franca of the world. Diplomacy was conducted in French. Royalty spoke French. The slow slide into English being the global default is a bit of a sore spot for the national ego. When a French person seems reluctant to speak English with you, it's often not because they are being snobbish. It's because they are terrified of making a mistake.
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The French education system focuses heavily on perfection. If you can't say it perfectly, don't say it at all. So, when you approach them with your loud, confident American English, they feel vulnerable. If you lead with a few words of terrible, broken French, you level the playing field. You’ve made yourself vulnerable first. Suddenly, they’ll "miraculously" remember how to speak English to help you out.
Why the "Anti-American" Label Persists
So why does everyone still ask do French people like Americans?
Part of it is media. News outlets love to highlight "clashes of civilizations." When a French minister complains about "wokeism" coming from American universities, it makes headlines. When an American TikToker cries because a waiter didn't bring them tap water, it goes viral.
But these are outliers.
The reality is millions of daily interactions that are perfectly pleasant. If you go to a jazz club in Paris, you’ll find French people who know more about Miles Davis than you do. If you go to a cinema, you’ll see people lining up for the latest indie film from A24.
The French don't hate Americans. They hate the idea of being colonized by American culture. They want to keep their bakeries, their 35-hour work weeks, and their specific way of life. As long as you aren't trying to change that, they’re usually pretty happy to have you around.
Actionable Tips for Winning Over the French
If you want to ensure the answer to "do they like me?" is a resounding "yes," follow these non-negotiable rules:
- The "Bonjour" Law: Never, ever start a conversation—even with a cashier—without saying Bonjour. Wait for them to say it back. Then proceed. This is the "unlock" code for the entire country.
- Lower the Volume: Americans have "projecting" voices. In a French restaurant, try to speak at a volume where only your table can hear you. You’ll instantly notice people being warmer to you.
- The Check is Not Automatic: You have to ask for the bill (L’addition, s'il vous plaît). They aren't ignoring you; they are being polite by not rushing you out.
- Embrace the "Non": In France, "no" is often just the beginning of a negotiation. Don't take it personally. Stay calm, be polite, and keep asking.
- Ditch the "Customer is King" Mindset: In France, the shopkeeper is the king of their shop. You are a guest. Act like a guest in someone’s home, not a boss at a meeting.
Ultimately, the French view Americans like a loud, talented, slightly chaotic younger sibling. We’re exhausting, sure. We’re a bit much. But at the end of the day, they’d much rather have us at the table than not.
To get the most out of your next interaction with the French, try focusing on "slow travel." Instead of hitting ten monuments in two days, sit at the same café for three mornings in a row. Buy your bread at the same boulangerie. Once you become a "regular," even for a few days, the legendary French coldness melts away, and you’ll find yourself being invited into the kind of deep, rambling conversation that defines the real French experience. Focus on the individual, not the stereotype, and you'll find that the "divide" barely exists at all.