The French have a reputation for arrogance and rudeness. In fact, I just saw a list on social networks ranking the ten rudest countries.
Who do you think was number one?
Yes, you guessed it. However, it seems that many of these so-called rudeness experts have never really spent much time in France, or have only been to Paris… or have judged an entire country by its waiters.

I remember my first trip to Europe in the 1970s. On the advice of some people (who had never been to France before), I decided to make a quick trip across the crescent country.
I happened to meet a nice French girl on the way north.
We spent a few pleasant hours chatting on the train, and before getting off, she invited me to her home.
How could I refuse?

After my adventures in Northern Europe, I headed to Lille to discover the small town of Lys-lez-Lannoy.
I couldn’t find anyone who spoke English, but friendly people helped me find the station.
I got off the train in the town of Roubaix, and people pointed me in the right direction. “C’est là-bas!” I must have looked confused because a man decided it would be best to drive me there.
He parked the car at the address I’d given him and didn’t leave until he saw me enter the house.

I had originally planned to spend a few hours talking with Thérèse, then return to Lille to find the youth hostel.
But her parents insisted that I spend a few days with their family.
So, in the meantime, when Thérèse wasn’t there, I had no common language with her family. Nevertheless, we communicated (or so I thought).
I had no idea what I was eating or drinking, but everything was delicious.

The following year, I hitchhiked across Europe for six months. I spent a lot of time traveling in France.
Although I encountered rude waiters, unhelpful civil servants and ill-mannered people, I found most French people to be friendly or at least tolerant.
And I was grateful to the locals who took pride in their city, gave me good advice or showed me around.

Back in Los Angeles, after my remarkable trip, I took French classes. When I graduated, I obtained a student permit to work in France. After finding several unsuitable jobs in Paris, I landed an internship at a ski resort in the Alps.
It was with the famous Club Med chain. As well as sporting activities, the emphasis at the club was on socializing with other visitors and staff. As a result, I learned a lot about French society, food, sports, leisure, politics, music, family life and much more.
Later, I chose to do another internship in Guadeloupe.