I’m an American living in Paris – these five things will make French people hate you
An American woman living in Paris has shared the five things that are sure to make you enemies in the French capital – from misnaming champagne to throwing parties where no one is allowed to smoke.
Amanda Rollins is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, but moved to Europe in 2017, and she’s gained some social media fame for showing off what it’s like to live as an American in the City of Lights.
According to the online star, the French hate parties where they are not allowed to smoke and never take a bite before someone says ‘enjoy your meal’.
“If you throw a party but say smoking isn’t allowed at the party, they’re going to hate you,” she said.
“That’s why I don’t throw parties here – it’s because I really like my French friends and I could see that if I threw parties where they weren’t allowed to smoke, it would soon be a bit risky and dangerous.
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An American woman living in Paris has shared the five things frowned upon in the French capital — from snacking between meals to asking for a to-go box at restaurants
“So, for the sake of everyone, I’ve decided not to.”
Amanda also shared a strange mistake that most non-Parisians don’t know they make – and that’s the “wrong” name.
“If you’re called Kevin as a boy or Emily as a girl, it’s not your fault,” she began. “But it’s not their fault they hate you.”
The American woman joked that there was still time to explore an official name change to get into the good graces of the French.
The French dislike the name Kevin because it is commonly associated with a “beauf” or redneck.
“Beauf” is an insulting word for a poor, uneducated white person living in rural America who holds extremely conservative political views.
And ‘Emily’ is now known for the titular character of Lily Collins in ‘Emily in Paris’, where the French are often mocked and ridiculed.
Amanda Rollins, who is originally from Boston but moved to Europe in 2017, has become a social media sensation by showing what it’s like to live in Paris as an American
Plus, Amanda warned against asking to take your leftovers home from a restaurant if you ever visit Paris
‘Another mistake travelers make is that they start eating before they say ‘enjoy your meal’ or before someone has said ‘enjoy your meal’ to them.
‘That they hate you for that is understandable – are you fucking crazy? Are you crazy? I really wouldn’t – you might even make enemies outside France.’
Amanda continued the joke, “They’re actually incapable of taking the first bite before someone says ‘bon appetit’ so if you don’t say it you’re starving them.” There’s blood on your hands.’
The Boston woman also added that Parisians hate it when Americans confuse prosecco (a sparkling wine made in Italy) with champagne (sparkling wine from France’s Champagne region).
“If you show up to a dinner party with a bottle of prosecco and say it’s champagne, they’ll hate you.”
Another food-related complaint the French have is that Americans equate American blue cheese with Roquefort.
“If a Frenchman tries to give you Roquefort, don’t tell him you ate blue cheese in America,” she warned.
According to the online star, the French almost never eat between breakfast, lunch and dinner – and chewing on the go is totally frowned upon
Amanda previously shared another video of mannerisms that are sure to get you dirty looks in Paris.
“I’m not saying you can’t do these things, you can do whatever you want.
“But doing these things will get you dirty looks.
Amanda dished up: “There’s one thing you can eat while walking – only one thing, a baguette”
Number one is running food. The French don’t really snack.
‘There is one thing you can eat while walking – only one thing, a baguette.
“That’s the only thing that’s acceptable to eat while walking.” Everything else, it’s just not super ordinary.
“You don’t see people eating on the subway. They eat with meals, and that’s all.’
Next on Amanda’s list of things Americans do that the French don’t like was talking loudly.
She explained that people from the US often think they are using an ‘inside voice’, but in reality they are much louder than they realize.
“Listen, I love you, I am you, I am one of you. But you fucking scream. Americans – you guys are screaming,” she continued.
‘You’re screaming. Your voice that you think is your inner voice, no it’s not. It’s your voice from outside.’
Plus, Amanda warned against asking to take your leftovers home from a restaurant if you ever visit Paris.
“Asking for a to-go box in a restaurant, that’s really unusual and super un-French,” she told her followers.
Next on Amanda’s list of things Americans do that the French don’t like was talking loudly
The influencer explained that portion sizes in France are usually perfect for what “a normal human being would eat in one meal,” so it’s very unusual to “not finish your meal.”
“French people eat their meals, as I said, they don’t snack. When they sit down for a meal, they get the whole meal,” she explained.
“It’s rare that you don’t finish your meal, and if you do, it’s even more unusual to ask for a box.” You can, I did it, but you might get stares.’
The TikToker said another thing the French don’t like is when you dress too casually in public.
She advised against wearing “anything comfortable,” such as workout clothes, sweatpants, or leggings, when you go out.
“If I could live in sweatpants my whole life, I fucking would. But you’re not going to see it [in Paris],’ she revealed.
“Athleisure is for the gym or at home. If you leave the house in leggings or sweatpants or even sweatpants you will be seen, it’s just not how people dress here.”
The TikToker said another thing the French don’t like is when you dress too casually in public and advised against wearing sportswear, sweatpants or leggings
But on the other end of the spectrum, Amanda said you should be careful about overly fancy clothes when exploring Paris
Speaking to the New York Post about the TikTok, Amanda explained that it’s a “generalization” based on her “observations” from abroad
But on the other end of the spectrum, Amanda said you should be careful about overly fancy clothes when exploring Paris.
“If you go out in Paris with a short skirt and high heels on, or if you’re just overly dolled up, you’ll get some looks, too,” she added.
“When we go out on a Friday night, it’s usually jeans and a top with boots, sneakers, flats, or maybe little heels, but like you’re not going to see the full dress — the full miniskirt, heels, make up.”
Amanda concluded the video by reminding her followers that they can “do whatever they want,” saying, “who cares if you’re being watched?”
During a conversation with the New York Post about the TikTok, Amanda explained that it is a “generalization” based on her “observations” from abroad.
“The things I mention are from my observations of life in Paris, my personal experiences and what I’ve heard from French people,” she said.
These are just observations. Life in France is different from the US in many ways, and these are just some of the quintessentially American things that raise eyebrows here in Paris.”