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Product Description
Synopsis
Designed primarily for people who will be living or working in France for extended periods, offers lessons on French manners, attitudes, and culture.
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First Sentence
On November 3, 1991, the London Times, which, unlike the hysterical London Sun, expects to be taken seriously, came out with a story that rocked France. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
On November 3, 1991, the London Times, which, unlike the hysterical London Sun, expects to be taken seriously, came out with a story that rocked France. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ms Platt makes few insightful comments into how the average French person works and her observations seem to be based on her experience living among the upper echelons of Parisian society among French and foreign CEOs.
I live in South-west France and almost none of her survival tips apply. And when shared with French friends, most of her comments have provoked either mirth or puzzlement.
If you really want to know seating order at a dinner table, or whether a Russian princess takes precedence over an Austrian archduchess, then this is the book for you. If, on the other hand, you live on planet earth, buy another book or TALK TO FRENCH PEOPLE!
I live in South-west France and almost none of her survival tips apply. And when shared with French friends, most of her comments have provoked either mirth or puzzlement.
If you really want to know seating order at a dinner table, or whether a Russian princess takes precedence over an Austrian archduchess, then this is the book for you. If, on the other hand, you live on planet earth, buy another book or TALK TO FRENCH PEOPLE!
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a German/Irish couple living in Paris working for French-American companies we experienced the same troubles some of the people quoted in PP's book. The first pages are really good, but especially when she talks about being invited by French people PP only gives advices applicable to invitations at your PDG's home. I disagree with PP a lot, but this is not the reason for not giving her five stars. I like her style and the way she looks at things, but I critizise her for giving the impression of writing a general book for people from other cultures who want to or have to work in France, or better, Paris. A huge part of the book is written for the top management or diplomats. Maybe she should write a second book targetting the average MBA, teacher, Engineer etc. I'd love to read it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was hoping for a book which would help me understand French manners so that I can avoid being accidentally rude when I go to France. Instead I got a load of (often seemingly made up) anecdotes and xenophobia.
My suspicion was raised about the potentially xenophobic tone of this book where in the introduction, a paragraph on recent terrorist attempts in France was followed by the non-sequitur "There are five million muslims in France", a bizarre statement to end the paragraph, suggesting that they are all somehow involved in these plots.
The book then continues to make sweeping generalisations about the French themselves, rather than their culture and manners (eg all the French like theatrics - really?), and gives general anecdotes - many of which, if I'm honest, sound completely made up (eg going to a computer store to get a presentation printed, and the assistant going from cold and rude to insisting that he redesign the whole thing for free because it is ugly - really???).
There are many faults:
* The tone of the book seems to be that somehow American immigrants are not the same as other immigrants to France, and can indeed be very condescending to people from other countries. The word "flooded" was used by one place and elsewhere a group of immigrants in an information office are described as "what seemed like the whole population of the Third World".
* All the information seems to come from anecdotal information from American businessmen. No French people seem to have been asked their opinions on how tourists and immigrants should behave, or any anthropological studies read. It reads like guesswork.
* There is very little consideration that the American approach to things may not be "the right way". It seems instead focus on how to bullishly con your way through French life rather than try to understand the mindset and work within their system.
The book is completely aimed at businessmen or people who plan to visit the author's friends. I can't see any one who likes French culture getting much out of it at all.
My suspicion was raised about the potentially xenophobic tone of this book where in the introduction, a paragraph on recent terrorist attempts in France was followed by the non-sequitur "There are five million muslims in France", a bizarre statement to end the paragraph, suggesting that they are all somehow involved in these plots.
The book then continues to make sweeping generalisations about the French themselves, rather than their culture and manners (eg all the French like theatrics - really?), and gives general anecdotes - many of which, if I'm honest, sound completely made up (eg going to a computer store to get a presentation printed, and the assistant going from cold and rude to insisting that he redesign the whole thing for free because it is ugly - really???).
There are many faults:
* The tone of the book seems to be that somehow American immigrants are not the same as other immigrants to France, and can indeed be very condescending to people from other countries. The word "flooded" was used by one place and elsewhere a group of immigrants in an information office are described as "what seemed like the whole population of the Third World".
* All the information seems to come from anecdotal information from American businessmen. No French people seem to have been asked their opinions on how tourists and immigrants should behave, or any anthropological studies read. It reads like guesswork.
* There is very little consideration that the American approach to things may not be "the right way". It seems instead focus on how to bullishly con your way through French life rather than try to understand the mindset and work within their system.
The book is completely aimed at businessmen or people who plan to visit the author's friends. I can't see any one who likes French culture getting much out of it at all.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good title!
This was an interesting book, but it needs to be emphasised it is only one person's view of the french. Read more
Published on 2 May 2010 by Jack Hobartson
Amusing and true
This book provides some great insight into French culture. I found myself having lots of moments where things suddenly became clear. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2010 by Fredrick S. Park
Read, but bear in mind the context.
I read this book 4 years ago, shortly before emigrating to France with my family. My view that this is a book principally written for Americans moving to work temporarily Paris -... Read more
Published on 25 Mar 2007 by John
An invaluable guide of how to know and enjoy France & the Fr
An invaluable guide of how to know and enjoy France & the French. If you don't read this book before you go to France, the odds are you'll end up with a very negative attitude... Read more
Published on 18 April 2000
Expats and even French people love Polly's take
I just returned from a delightful lunch with Polly Platt and her husband in the southwest of France, and I must say that she is a remarkable lady. Read more
Published on 17 April 1999
Decidely bias in favor of the French but still very useful
Decidely bias in favor of the French but still very useful and amusing. It is an easy book to pick up and read for five minutes at a time. Read more
Published on 22 July 1998
Valuable info for anyone going to France
I was lucky enough to read this book halfway through my vacation in France. All of a sudden frustrating situations became understandable. For example - never admit you are wrong. Read more
Published on 28 Nov 1997
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