Sometimes living in Paris we expats tend to wonder what the Frenchies think about us, and the millions of tourists who come here every year. So in Les Francais, Prissy Mag tries to dig into their brain a little. Introducing a Frenchman who works in an upscale restaurant...

Who: Mickael V., age 28, Seconde in a Parisian restaurant in the 7th district.

PM: Where are you originally from?

MV: Drancy ( Seine Saint Denis 93).

PM: Have you ever been to an English-speaking country?

MV: I’ve been to England and Scotland.

PM: So what did you think about it?

MV: I’d like to live in New York actually or maybe Asia.

PM: Do you have any Anglophone friends here in Paris?

MV: I know two or three Anglophones in Paris.

PM: If you run into Anglophones here and they don’t speak French, are you disappointed?

MV: I’m a little surprised but I try to talk with them, communicate, and understand why.

PM: Do you feel that Anglophones living here in France should try to live in the “French way”, i.e. total immersion into the culture, or not?

MV: They can live the way they want…

PM: Paris is probably the most visited city in the world. How do you feel about all the tourists here? Does it have a direct impact on your life?

MV: I like tourism because it incredibly enriches the country. We need it.

PM: If there are problems with France, what are they in your opinion?

MV: The French complain, are stressed and not very open-minded.

PM: What would you change about Parisians in particular?

MV: I’d make them less aggressive, change their mentalities and have public transportation 24 hours a day.

PM: Any predictions for the World Cup 2010?

MV: Spain will win but France will be in the quarter finals.

Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen moved to Paris from New York City in 1999. In addition to being the Editor and Founder of Prissy Mag, she is the author of the novel STOCKDALE . For her complete bio, please click here.

Comments (9)