Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Yaya]

PARIS (Reuters Life) � French tourists are the worst in the world, coming across as bad at foreign languages, tight-fisted and arrogant, according to a survey of 4,500 hotel owners across the world.

They finish in last place in the survey carried out for internet travel agency Expedia by polling company TNS Infratest, which said French holidaymakers don't speak local languages and are seen as impolite.

"It's mainly the fact that they speak little or no English when they're abroad, and they don't speak much of the local language," Expedia Marketing Director Timothee de Roux told radio station France Info.

"The French don't go abroad very much. We're lucky enough to have a country which is magnificent in terms of its landscape and culture," he said, adding that 90 per cent of French people did their traveling at home.

"So when they're on holiday they can be a bit stressed, they're not used to things, and this can lead them to be demanding in a way which could be seen as a certain arrogance."

French tourists are also accused of generally spending less than other nationalities when abroad.

De Roux said the French, not accustomed to leaving large tips at home where a service charge is automatically levied on restaurant bills, can seem "tight-fisted" compared with other nationalities.

The Japanese ranked top of the Best Tourist survey, with the British and the Germans judged the best of the Europeans.

But French tourists received some consolation for their poor performance, finishing third after the Italians and British for dress sense while on holiday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090709/lf_nm_life/us_france_tourists/print

[redaxe]

Koreans are pretty good tourists in the sense that they don't really bother the locals, they pretty much just stick together, walk around taking pictures, and get back on the bus.

They're pretty bad at actually experiencing foreign cultures and especially cuisines, though. I once went to a cafe run by a Korean couple where they proudly displayed photo albums of themselves traveling to Vietnam, Thailand, the Netherlands, Germany... and at least half the pictures were of them cooking or eating kimchi jigae in those countries.

[harlowethrombey]

I saw that article, too, although there isnt a link to the full list, is there?

Dunno about the Germans being ranked so high. . . that's certainly not been my traveling experience. I've known quite a few great people that were German, but on the tourist side, not so much.

I think its pretty interesting the statement that most of the dont leave their own country to travel- a cultural gernade people like to hurl at the states despite the fact that for someone to England to visit a dozen different countries isnt a huge deal, but from home you have a choice of either Canada or Mexico as your closest traveling options. . .

[Zantetsuken]

[alphakennyone]

I have two experiences with French tourists: two young ladies hardcore haggling in Bangkok over clothing.

And a couple commenting loudly how $3 USD for a 22 oz of Tsingtao at the hostel was "quite pricy." (both instances involving varying levels of English of course)

I like the excuse of "oh we don't travel much because France is so amazing."

[Bloopity Bloop]

I'd say France is also the worst place to travel if you are of Asian heritage. My family was treated like complete $hit everywhere we went.

[fermentation]

Whatever criticism I have for Korea is only matched by my contempt for the French. When I visited Canada, the rudest tourists were french (granted I didn't see many Koreans there). Blocking doors and stairways, not saying excuse me (not even in French), smoking, etc. Pretty much all the things I rag on Koreans for.

[oldfatfarang]

Interesting article. I own an adventure tourism business, so I'm very interested in tourist stuff.

I've seen very few French tourists anywhere (except a few younger French living in Tahiti or New Caledonia).

In my experience, the Germans are the pariahs of tourism. Nobody in Europe likes those guys.

And in backpacking circles, it's the Israelis that really get peoples' backs up. Hint: never, repeat never, take 3rd class trains/bus's or stay in low budget hotels during the Israeli Waves (Israeli army discharge times).

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

[ekul]

I don't particularly like the French, not since I was about 13 years old. I was on a ferry crossing the channel during a school trip to the Ard�che and we got talking to these French kids about something, at least trying to converse. Obviously being teenagers from France and England it quickly deteriorated into a slagging off match. Us telling them to go *beep* a chicken (aller enculer un poulet)and them telling us we are fucking bastards. It escalated a little more until a small rucus broke out. A fights a fight at that age, but those French cunts tried to throw us overboard! Luckily being the surrender monkeys they are they scuttled off when adults around were wondering what was going on. Pretty glad because it's a long swim back.

[Are they the lemmings]

Reminds me of this story (there were numerous versions floating around at the time. The one I linked to was just the one at the top of the Google search; you might find a better one).

Anyway, a small snippet:

[Emeliu]

[roadwork]

[Ukon]

"The French don't go abroad very much. We're lucky enough to have a country which is magnificent in terms of its landscape and culture," he said, adding that 90 per cent of French people did their traveling at home

[DWAEJIMORIGUKBAP]

The bloody Ities (Italians) are bad tourists too. Always demanding Italin food wherever they are and looking down on othe rcountries food and culture. They need to realise they are piss poor now and the Roman Epire ended a long long time ago lol...

The 18 - 30 Brit crowd are in my opinion ignorant, arrogant pigs who are a disgrace and embarrasment to their country. I got an amazing price on a week in Zakynthos that unfortunately had me staying nearby said crowds... The amount of noise, abuse towards the locals, refusal to eat anything but british breakky and sit around watching the footy or by the pool.... I rented a scooter and toured the whole island, visiting villages, secluded coves, fams, out of the way beaches, all kid of cool spots... when I relayed this to a group I hung out with one night they acted like I was the freak... The flabby pale sunburnt women in their too small bikinis and swimsuits, shagging anything in sight any time any place anywhere... the boistrousness of the lads swaggering around with their poorly designed tats and earrings ... Jesus....