French Stereotypes
Stereotyping is basically a part of human nature. When an individual interacts with other people he has the tendency to make generalizations out of their characteristics and to consider these characteristics as applicable to all people of the same class. Stereotyping is defined as the process where an individual create in his mind an image of another person (Macrae, Stangor & Hewstone 3). It is also defined as “a fixed, commonly held notion or image of a person or group, based on an oversimplification of some observed or imagined trait of behavior or appearance” (Media Awareness Network). Even though we are unique and distinct from each other, it is part of human nature to make generalizations of people belonging to a specific race and nationality. These generalizations are being reinforced in movies, televisions, novels and other forms of mass media. This essay seeks to highlight the different French stereotypes being portrayed in mass media and to establish that these stereotypes are not necessarily accurate representations of the French people.
Stereotyping has a positive and negative effect not only to the person being referred to but also to the community in general. When an individual creates a mental image of somebody and put that in his mind, he also acts in accordance with this stereotype. The stereotyped images serve as a person’s paradigm through which he sees the world. As a result, he behaves and acts in accordance with this stereotype. The problem is that not all of these stereotypes are true. In fact, most of these stereotypes which are being reinforced in movies, televisions, and novels are not accurate representations of reality but are mere exaggerations. French people are always subjected to stereotypes in different forms of mass media. One of the famous stereotypes of French people is that they are arrogant and rude individuals. Many people have perception that French people think of themselves as a superior race. They are people who could not be wrong and would like to argue their own point. Unlike others who, as much as possible, will want to avoid an argument, French people are not willing to compromise just to avoid an argument. A good example is the film Rien a Declarer (Nothing to Declare) which is a film showing the French and Belgian stereotypes. Boon, the main character who was French, was portrayed to be very arrogant and rude.
The perception, however, is false. French people are only seen as arrogant and rude because French people are assertive by nature. They would normally speak what is on their mind. French love to address the issues and their concerns in a straight-forward way. They prefer to make their statements, their point of view directly, regardless if it creates an argument (Asselin & Mastron 34). If one will actually think about it French people are similar to the Americans who are also assertive people. In fact, there is nothing wrong with being assertive so long as it is done in the right and proper manner.
The arrogance and rudeness of French people were portrayed in the movie National Lampoon’s European Vacation. In this movie, Clark and Ellen Griswald win an all-expenses-paid-trip to Europe after they won in a game show called Pig In A Poke. The trip takes them to different places in Europe where they encountered so many hilarious misadventures and funny accidents. In one of the scenes, they stopped in a French restaurant where they encountered a French waiter. Clark attempts to give to the waiter his order. The French waiter, knowing that the family did not speak French, makes rude remarks about him, his wife and his daughter. Though it is a comedic film, the scene portrays the common perception among French people which is that they are rude.
There is also a perception that French people are very pompous, proud and excitable (Smith & Mackie 163.) Because of their love for talking and presentation in detailed-form of their ideas, people find French people to be very proud and over-confident. May people say that French have superiority complex because they believe that their language is not only elegant but romantic. They also think that their culture is refined, or their wines are the best in the world or their taste for food the most superior. There is also a perception that French people love everything about their nation and their culture. The superiority complex of French people is depicted in the movie Rush Hour 3. In one of the scenes in Rush Hour 3, the characters of Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan take a cab after arriving in France. After learning that they are Americans, the cab driver refused to drive the two lead characters to their destination saying that he does not drive Americans. Afterwards, he started making statements about the reasons why the United States of America is second only to France. Eventually, however, he becomes their ally and advocate.
It is argued that considering all French people as pompous and proud just because there are a few French people who behave in such manner is unfair to all other French nationals. In fact, I know that there are some French individuals who are actually very humble. If only a person will visit Paris, they will get to meet people who are nice enough to show them the way to famous landmarks and tourist spots in France. Moreover, there is really nothing wrong with being proud of one’s country. In fact, patriotism, an attitude that is almost lacking nowadays, should be emulated.
As mentioned earlier, many people perceive that French people love everything about them. Thus, they have a strong sense of belongingness. There is a perception that when you visit France, it is mandatory to speak their tongue. Though it is untrue, French people cultivate their language critically. They demand linguistic superiority by creating an official institution that will supervise the formation of its words (Asselin & Mastron 35).
This is a perception that is not necessarily harmful to them. A strong sense of belongingness is what makes them proud of their country, their race and their culture. A strong sense of belongingness, however, should be seen as an exclusivist attitude where they think that they are the only ones who are superior.
Another bad impression on French people is their undesirable personal hygiene. There is a perception that French people are simply not obsessed with taking frequent showers and scented soaps. In fact, some even exaggerate about it and say that deodorant is illegal in France (The Guardian). There is also the perception that French women are not fond of shaving and just let hair grow on their body.
This is another stereotype that is baseless. In fact, a 2010 study found that French, especially French women, are the cleanest in Europe. According to the poll, it found that French people spend more time for their personal hygiene compared to their European counterparts – French men spend 35 minutes while French women spend 46 minutes (France24). Despite the negative perception toward their personal hygiene, it is said that French women still exudes elegance, poise and grace.
“Traditionally, the French woman is perceived as assertive, elegant, erotically exciting, seductive and easy, displaying herself with the aid of fashion and cosmetics…, the French woman embodies an attractive or a repelling model of femininity (Beller & Leerssen 157)”
In connection to the myths concerning health, there is also the perception that all French people smoke. Just like other populations who have vices, French people love to smoke cigarettes. However, it is unlikely to make a general statement because there are French people who do not smoke. In fact, many French men and women are already conscious of protecting their health against smoking.
On a positive end, French are look-up-to for their great sense of fashion and elegance. France is also called the City of Love, a dream destination of couples who want to spend their romantic time together (Beller and Leerssen 158.) Paris is the number one tourist spot which is visited by many couples. Because of its romantic atmosphere, France attracts a lot of people, from the ordinary travellers up to the film makers who want to shoot film in their scenic locations.
A positive perception towards French men is that they are good and passionate lovers. Many believe that they are so good with their words alone that they can sweep any woman off her feet. It is also perceived that French men are sexually active and excellent performers in bed. A good example of this stereotype is that which is shown in the movie Unfaithful where a French man used his charm to successfully seduce a wedded woman.
It can be seen that French people are perceived as arrogant, argumentative, proud, patriotic, unhygienic yet they are great lovers, considered as charming and elegant. These stereotypes are contradictory by themselves. This just establishes that stereotypes are baseless. Whatever our perception on French people, it is proper not to apply this image over the general population. It is said that an unexamined life is not worth living. Through this essay, the stereotypes of French people are examined and exposed. It is found that these stereotypes are basely and reinforced by the mass media. Understanding our own stereotypes is important for the purpose of examining the truth of these stereotypes. Correcting these stereotypes is essential so that they do not chain our minds to erroneous beliefs and perceptions and see people as they are and not as they are portrayed by the mass media.