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French or Foe?: Getting the Most Out of Visiting, Living and Working in France Paperback – January 1, 2003

by Polly Platt (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 146 ratings
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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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Previous page
  1. Print length
    292 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Distribooks Inc
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2003
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0964668424
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0964668423
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Distribooks Inc; 3rd edition (January 1, 2003)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 292 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0964668424
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0964668423
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 146 ratings

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Polly Platt

Polly Platt

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4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
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Top reviews from the United States

Beach Books and Music
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book to Really Understand the French
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
The book has been the best book I have seen (after reading several) on understanding the French people and culture. The author's style is somewhat over the top at times - exaggerating points with somewhat humorous hyperbole and sort of saying the same thing several times in different words - but its not offensive and makes for more entertaining reading. I think the main value of this book is that the author had really delved into French culture deeply as an outsider and examined every possible aspect of life in this country - and looked at what forces and attitudes shape a French person. I have travelled in France 5 times but never could get a firm grasp on these people - at times extremely nice and at times extremely difficult. After reading this book, I feel like I can make sense of the French now. The other book which is good, but in a different way is "Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't be Wrong" - which is a much more academic book, explaining big issues and trends, but very little of how an individual thinks or interacts. If I was to buy just one book, it would be this one "French or Foe?", but the two books work well together and are completely non-overlapping in the information they provide.
13 people found this helpful
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LaJoi Royston
5.0 out of 5 stars A great companion for newbie french travelers
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2020
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I bought this book years ago when I studied abroad in France. It came highly recommended and i an see why! This book gives a great overview of what to expect when visiting France as an American. As an African American, I didn't experience the "harsh" French personalities described in this book, I think my impressive French accent made things easier for me. I was actually complimented on my French by many people I encountered.

Overall, this book did give me a solid viewpoint to enter France with. It allowed me to not have romanticized expectations of my time in Paris and truly enjoy it for what it was. Needless to say, I love Paris and plan to live there at some point of my life.
2 people found this helpful
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Teresa
5.0 out of 5 stars Read Polly Platt's books to enrich your French experience
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2004
Verified Purchase
I just got back from Paris, and I am so glad I read "Savoir Flair!" and "French or Foe." These two books prepared me for my trip and helped to make it even more pleasurable. I loved Paris! In fact, I loved it so much, I'm going back in August, so two trips in a matter of three months!
The people of France were nothing but welcoming. Everyone was so nice. The French people went out of their way to be kind to me. I know for a fact that because of reading these books, I knew what to expect and how to handle myself in their environment. Everyone should read Polly Platt's books and take a few French lessons before they go to France, if they want to get the most out of their time there.
I am now going to reread these books before I go again. I have purchased many books about France, but these were by far the most helpful.
Teresa in California
11 people found this helpful
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MM Lonergan
4.0 out of 5 stars Great to read before traveling to Paris
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2020
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Had a trip to Paris planned and read this first. It explained not only the culture but the why of different attitudes. It was very helpful in understanding why certain behaviors were favored and made my trip much better. I wasn't there nearly long enough but this book definitely helped a lot. It had actually much information that I didn't need.
One person found this helpful
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Clippy the Magnificent
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding cultural immersion in the safety of a paperback
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2003
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French or Foe was not only an entertaining read, but it was also highly enlightening. Polly Platt provides countless examples of Americans who just couldn't grok the French, suggests how the French perceive the world and recommends ways of approaching the situation better. She covers the gamut of common situations from business meetings (e.g., the importance of shaking hands), the systeme'D, and the delicate etiquette expected during the highly coveted dinner (assume you won't see a toilet during the evening, never ask the host for the recipe, and keep quiet). THere's a wealth of French history filling out some of the more curious angles, as well as copious emphasis on core values such as education in mathematics and science. After reading this I began to understand them more and appreciated their uniqueness.
43 people found this helpful
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JJ
3.0 out of 5 stars Amusing And Informative
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2016
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This book was published quite a while back.

This book was recommended to me by my French tutor, prior to my vacation in France.

I suspected, and this was confirmed by a native Parisian, that much of this pertains to the "Bourgeoisie" of French society. This may be exactly who would be encountered am American corporate executive transferred to Paris.

Nevertheless, an entertaining and informative book.

(Just to be clear --
Bourgeoisie 2. a person whose political, economic, and social opinions are believed to be determined mainly by concern for property values and conventional respectability.)
7 people found this helpful
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CJ
5.0 out of 5 stars An essential for travel to France
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2015
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I just purchased my fifth copy of this book--I give them as parting gifts to friends going to France. It is a pleasant read and the tips it contains are remarkably helpful. I would recommend French or Foe to any traveler--first time or 10th--to France. There's no need to look like an "Ugly American" or even a tourist for that matter while you're there. If you follow Ms Platt's advice and heed local social norms (like pointing with your entire hand, not one finger) you not only can "fit in" but her simple suggestions can prevent you from appearing rude-- and to avoid being rude is never a bad thing, no matter where in the world you find yourself!
4 people found this helpful
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Patricia L. Hunter
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2019
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My sister and I are visiting Paris and Provence in August and this was a recommended reading. My book arrived as described in good condition in a timely manner and I would recommend it's reading even if you're not visiting Paris. Polly Platt is a wonderful story teller and is light-hearted in her delivery. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Thank you.
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Top reviews from other countries

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ceedee
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointingly American
Reviewed in France on November 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
It is unfortunate that the description fails to note that the Author is from over the pond. Consequently right from the preface onwards the slant is American, and refers and reflects the somewhat uncomfortable American/French relationship.
That means that a so-called "English" book doesn't reflect Anglo/French relationships. I'm disappointed at that. Worse still, as others note, time had passed and much has changed since 2003, so the book is so out of date.
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mm
4.0 out of 5 stars Très intéressant
Reviewed in France on November 13, 2021
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Pour des étrangers qui ne connaissent pas bien la France. Livre écrit par une américaine
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Mrs. Pauline M. Simpson
4.0 out of 5 stars French or Foe?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 6, 2013
Verified Purchase
I'm only half way through this book and although I'm enjoying it, it's not as good as I was led to believe. It's repetitious and I don't agree with all that's said about the French. I live in France and I've seen the French attitudes and gestures that are described in the book, but there are many French people that are not what the author would call 'typically French'.

I think it's safe to say that the author is speaking in general terms, in which case, I'd recommend anyone coming to France to read it - just don't expect to get through it quickly.
One person found this helpful
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catherine a.
3.0 out of 5 stars produit conforme à mon achat
Reviewed in France on November 8, 2017
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Occasion d'assez bonne qualité
J'ai trouvé des choses écrites à la première et dernière pages mais dans l'ensemble le livre est correct.
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Patrick
3.0 out of 5 stars Read, but bear in mind the context.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2007
Verified Purchase
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 - there evidently exists a significant cultural clash between the US 'customer is king' outlook and the French culture. By all means read this book - it contains many valid observations about the french and helpful suggestions, but bear in mind the context in which it was researched and written.
7 people found this helpful
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