That's my theory as well. I've heard many horror stories about American being served by racists french, but most of these starts with the American not knowing you have to start with "Bonjour". Extremely unpolite not to start by "Bonjour" in France, even when you enter an elevator with complete strangers you will have to say Bonjour.

My last time in Paris for a few days, _every time_ I said "Bonjour," the person replied with "Hello".

Well even French people between themselves occasionally use "hello", so it's quite natural to answer hello to someone who seems to have a foreign accent.

It varies a lot. Last time I was in Paris there were people who were easy to deal with, and people who weren't. I can typically start a conversation in French, and carry out simple tasks like ordering/buying things, asking for directions. And that seems to help a lot, as does the fact that I've been told I have a Québecois accent (my first immersion in French was on a trip to Québec) and so I probably get taken for Canadian rather than American. But there are still many people whose entire attitude changes when they hear someone walking in and holding a conversation in English before switching to French, and I've actually been unable to get a table at a restaurant, or get help finding something in a store, when that happened.

I think "Hello" will work too if someone has difficulties to pronounce "Bonjour".

And make eye contact! Then, if you cannot continue in French, smile, people will figure out.

>And make eye contact!

I'm about 99% sure this song is supposed to be satire. If you speak French, you'll get a kick out of it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-VYdBKwSLc

Only the French could describe asking for a coffee with "please" on the end as "exceptionally rude".

It's almost petty. You will forgive any other faux-pas as long as you start the interaction with "bonjour"? And if you mis-pronounce "bonjour"? Do we need to seek forgiveness from the President? I like flying over France and going to Spain and Italy where none of this nonsense exists.

If you go to Japan and do not take off your shoes in certain you'll be considered exceptionally rude. Are you going to criticize the Japanese now?

Different countries have different cultural expectations and customs. In France not saying Bonjour is considered rude (and hello works in Paris by the way), in other countries other things are considered rude. It's not because you're traveling and a tourist that you do not need to try to learn and follow the local customs.

>Different countries have different cultural expectations and customs.

Thank you!

I'd also like to point out that this yahoo seems unaware of his own cultural baggage. I bet he'd consider it extremely rude for someone to cut in front of a line at a bus stop, whereas such things are perfectly acceptable in other countries (in France we hardly have lines at bus stops).

Just like cutting a bus queue can be taken as a disrespect, engaging in a transaction without acknowledging that the person behind the counter is ... well... a person can be taken as looking down on people who serve you.

Just as I don't assume foreigners are conspiring to pounce on unsuspecting tourists who cut lines, I expect our friend switch007 not to assume we're doing the same with respect to saying "hello".

This kind of blatant ethnocetrism betrays self-ignorance that borders on comical, and invites ridicule hereabouts.

I think the parent was oversimplifying a bit, and it looks like you took his answer a bit too literally. What is important really here is to establish a contact with the person before asking for service. Anything goes - bonjour, hello, a smile, a nod (works for me very well). Just try to put a bit of your emotions into this (presumably: you are a stranger in a foreign g country not speaking language and needing assistance), and the rest will go accordingly.

Bonjour is easy mode. You should see how many words you have to say when you leave a store :D

Two? Au revoir?

Please stay home.