I haven’t seen talk of it in Le Monde, but the New York Times seems to be running weekly pieces about the French fear of “Americanization”. I bring this up as an American in France because the NYT makes it seem as if there is some kind of wave of anti-Americanism sweeping France. I don’t know how true this is, but I hope it isn’t stoking an imaginary fire. 

My experience as an American has always been a pleasant enough one. The French are welcoming, and will gladly speak to you about all matters of American culture. They love to tell you where in America they have visited, or where they plan to go, or to tell you what they’re favorite American thing is, or a story involving an American that they remember fondly. My experience in Paris has always been the opposite of how I was treated in London. 

Because the French are accommodating, I have never really been made to feel like an outsider (except at dinner parties when everyone reverts back to French). Nor have I ever been shunned. It’s probably one of the reasons I like it so much. The French are pleasant enough, in their own way. 

The article talks about how the French are in fear of American ideas corrupting their way of life. I think this same argument played out in France when they wanted to show American programs on tv, and play English music on the radio. 

The French have always been protectionist, and a little fearful for their way of life. I think it’s a bit unfounded to say Black Lives Matters protest are going to bring the French way of life down. France has issues with racism and I laugh when America is judged so harshly because I’m like damn have you even been to France? 

Most of my friends in France were African French, and I’ve heard their tales. But being more accommodating to races other than white wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. It’s been my experience that integration doesn’t really exist here, and this in and of itself ultimately leads to problems. 

In my experience it’s the Gendarmes who are much worse. As a white female they bullied me, and almost laid hands on me, so I can imagine they are worse when they can get away with it. Reform there wouldn’t be a bad thing. 

Anyhow I bring it up because I keep seeing these articles and it makes me a little agitated. The NYT is reputable, but to stoke fear is something I’m against. I don’t see it in my everyday life, and it would be awful if suddenly the French were suspicious of Americans and vice versa. It would corrupt the harmonious relationship we have. 

With an election coming up perhaps Macron, who has not taken this stance in his entire presidency, is using it to gain more votes from the right. It’s also funny because Macron’s home is in the most Americanized section of the city (Gros Caillou). I lived about 300 meters from his home on rue Cler. If anyone has experience living amongst Americans it’s him.

‘Do you’ I guess because I cannot imagine France with its own version of Donald Trump (Marine le Pen). We Americans might not feel the effects in Paris, if ever, considering our place in French society, but who knows what would happen for the rest of France. I can’t say I know much about her, I just know the French seem very ominous about a future with her running the country. And we all saw how that had worked out with Donald Trump and Boris Johnson. 

I haven’t seen talk of it in Le Monde, but the New York Times seems to be running weekly pieces about the French fear of “Americanization”. I bring this up as an American in France because the NYT makes it seem as if there is some kind of wave of anti-Americanism sweeping France. I don’t know how true this is, but I hope it isn’t stoking an imaginary fire. 

My experience as an American has always been a pleasant enough one. The French are welcoming, and will gladly speak to you about all matters of American culture. They love to tell you where in America they have visited, or where they plan to go, or to tell you what they’re favorite American thing is, or a story involving an American that they remember fondly. My experience in Paris has always been the opposite of how I was treated in London. 

Because the French are accommodating, I have never really been made to feel like an outsider (except at dinner parties when everyone reverts back to French). Nor have I ever been shunned. It’s probably one of the reasons I like it so much. The French are pleasant enough, in their own way. 

The article talks about how the French are in fear of American ideas corrupting their way of life. I think this same argument played out in France when they wanted to show American programs on tv, and play English music on the radio. 

The French have always been protectionist, and a little fearful for their way of life. I think it’s a bit unfounded to say Black Lives Matters protest are going to bring the French way of life down. France has issues with racism and I laugh when America is judged so harshly because I’m like damn have you even been to France? 

Most of my friends in France were African French, and I’ve heard their tales. But being more accommodating to races other than white wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing. It’s been my experience that integration doesn’t really exist here, and this in and of itself ultimately leads to problems. 

In my experience it’s the Gendarmes who are much worse. As a white female they bullied me, and almost laid hands on me, so I can imagine they are worse when they can get away with it. Reform there wouldn’t be a bad thing. 

Anyhow I bring it up because I keep seeing these articles and it makes me a little agitated. The NYT is reputable, but to stoke fear is something I’m against. I don’t see it in my everyday life, and it would be awful if suddenly the French were suspicious of Americans and vice versa. It would corrupt the harmonious relationship we have. 

With an election coming up perhaps Macron, who has not taken this stance in his entire presidency, is using it to gain more votes from the right. It’s also funny because Macron’s home is in the most Americanized section of the city (Gros Caillou). I lived about 300 meters from his home on rue Cler. If anyone has experience living amongst Americans it’s him.

‘Do you’ I guess because I cannot imagine France with its own version of Donald Trump (Marine le Pen). We Americans might not feel the effects in Paris, if ever, considering our place in French society, but who knows what would happen for the rest of France. I can’t say I know much about her, I just know the French seem very ominous about a future with her running the country. And we all saw how that had worked out with Donald Trump and Boris Johnson.