Do you know as much about French guys as you think you do? Whether you already call France home or have travel plans there in the near future, familiarizing yourself with some of the more persistent urban legends regarding the country and its people will provide you with a deeper understanding.
Everyone has their thoughts and ideas regarding the characteristics of French men. But are they real or are they just urban legends? Find out more about some prevalent French men stereotypes as we go down the list below and learn more about them.
Things you'll find in this article
- 10 French Men Stereotypes
- 1. French males can be quite haughty and impolite.
- 2. A large percentage of French men are heavy smokers.
- 3. French guys smell bad.
- 4. Men from France are lazy.
- 5. French men like their women to be more feminine.
- 6. French men have a reputation for being expert kissers.
- 7. Most French men are well-educated and enjoy a healthy argument.
- 8. French men prefer arts over sports.
- 9. French men are effeminate.
- 10. The French have a deep-seated animosity toward the United States.
10 French Men Stereotypes
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1. French males can be quite haughty and impolite.
French men indeed have a reputation for being blunt. They are not shy in saying what they think. Others may find it rude, but the French consider it diplomatic, helpful, and courteous rather than hostile.
If you ask a French man what he thinks of a picture, for example, he will tell you that the colors don’t go together and that it doesn’t look anything like the reference material.
Nobody else would have the nerve to say something so offensive to an artist’s face. They worry it will be demoralizing or even insulting to the French, but the French men would disagree.
The times that he does offer critique, no matter how harsh, it always comes from a position of concern. If they are ever going to change, they must hear the truth.
2. A large percentage of French men are heavy smokers.
Everyone has seen a movie with a Frenchman puffing on a cigarette. Some French males may have a cigarette in their hand at all times. But that doesn’t prove that most or even all French males are chronic smokers.
There are 854 liters consumed by each French adult annually. It’s much lower than the highest tiers. France does not even enter the top ten when ranking countries by their yearly cigarette consumption or the number of smokers. The widespread adoption of e-cigarettes among the French population may account for this trend.
3. French guys smell bad.
You will run into a Parisian who has an offensive odor quite infrequently, if at all. They are among the very few breeds in the entire world that not only appear clean but also smell clean.
However, just for the argument, let’s say that the way a French man smells is connected to the people’s love of aromatic wine, cheese, and cuisine as well as their habit of smoking.
Smoke from cigarettes and cheeses with intense odors that some people aren’t accustomed to smell can be rather offensive to the senses.
4. Men from France are lazy.
Since they receive a high income despite working for a relatively little amount of time each day, French men are stereotyped as lazy. The truth is that French men are consistently ranked among the most effective and productive workers in the entire globe.
They may work fewer hours than the majority of industrialized nations, but the country’s economy and high level of living may be an indication that productivity is also an important aspect of the people’s work ethic. France can maintain parity with its neighbors despite a drop of 16% in the number of hours worked per week.
5. French men like their women to be more feminine.
French men admire and pursue relationships with women that radiate femininity and genuineness. If you are genuine in who you are and don’t make an effort to act in a way that a man wants you to, he will respect you for the person that you are.
Men don’t require women to resemble them for them to feel appreciated; all they want is for women to appear to be women.
This is not to imply that one cannot be intellectual, hard-working, sociable, or even participate in sports. It indicates that, in the opinion of males, you ought to be acting the part of a female.
6. French men have a reputation for being expert kissers.
Aside from the Eiffel Tower, what other French things have made the country famous around the world? It is none other than the French kiss.
Not only is it hailed as the most passionate kiss ever, but it also represents a classic display of affection. In France, a kiss is more than just a show. French men engage in this amorous pursuit with glee and enthusiasm, even in broad daylight.
As a result, the stereotype that French men are great kissers actually has some basis in reality. It only means they are more demonstrative and enthusiastic than average romantics and lovers.
7. Most French men are well-educated and enjoy a healthy argument.
Many men in France are well-read and knowledgeable in almost any field. You can count on them to have something to say about anything and to try to set you straight if they think it’s necessary.
They would welcome the chance to be refuted and might even issue a debate challenge. In fact, anything can serve as fodder for a lively discussion. Facts and scientific expertise form the backbone of their arguments, and they may even offer you supporting materials.
8. French men prefer arts over sports.
French men’s appreciation for the arts is no indication that they value it more than athletics. Just like their country, the French are diverse and interesting people. The reality is that sports are deeply rooted in the history and culture of the country.
Tennis, football, cycling, rugby, handball, and basketball are all huge in France, along with many other sports. The French Open and the Tour de France are two of the biggest sporting events in the country.
9. French men are effeminate.
Another urban legend that contains a grain of truth. French men are effeminate compared to males in other countries who are robust and macho and who prefer manual labor employment. This isn’t to imply that no French men may be manly. Actually, it’s just that males in this country are socialized to be more comfortable with their feminine sides.
Men who express a desire to be more feminine are sometimes seen as gay or weak in other cultures. It’s a different experience in France, which is why French men are more open about their appreciation for the arts and romance.
French men even wear a lot of pink shirts. Kissing each other on the cheek is even more prevalent. It’s assumed as part of the norm in many communities.
10. The French have a deep-seated animosity toward the United States.
Like Americans criticizing the French, the French criticize people of other countries. Indeed, they would resort to making fun of Americans as the punchline.
This is a joke meant to make its target audience laugh, and while it may come across as harsh or sarcastic to those who don’t get it. French people do not dislike Americans, thus any jokes or puns they make about the country should not be taken literally.
It would be totally wrong to assume that these two male species are actively engaged in a hostile relationship with one another. Dislike is a more acceptable word if we’re going to address political differences and issues.
However, that is far too wide and delicate to be discussed in detail at this time. For the time being, we will have to settle for French and American citizens engaging in friendly ribbing and heated arguments with one another every once in a while.
Hi, I’m Christine – a full-time traveler and career woman. Although I’m from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries and lived in 4 continents in the last 10 years, including France. A self-proclaimed Francophile, I love everything France.