Want to know the quickest way to make French friends? Insult George W. Bush before they do. If that's not your style, be prepared to devote at least 15 minutes per potential friend to fending off verbal attacks directed at the American government and people explaining that you, as an American citizen, do not necessarily represent or agree with the actions of your government. Unfortunately, unless convinced otherwise, French people tend not to differentiate between these two entities.

As a result, frustration with U.S. foreign policy is sometimes inadvertently expressed as general anti-American sentiment. This misunderstanding partially stems from the fact that in France, government and citizen are much more closely linked than in the United States. French citizens tend to be more politically active than their American counterparts.

In trying to establish the difference between politics of individuals versus that of government, I often repeatedly encounter the following argument: "But if the Americans don't agree with their government, why don't they do something about it?"

The French love to go on strike, to hold demonstrations. To them, the belief that we Americans do not behave similarly indicates an inherent acceptance of the actions of our government. Averting anti-American sentiment by distancing yourself from your government can get tricky, however, since in reality, the fact that you are an American in a foreign country means that you are necessarily representing the United States. And you cannot simply go around renouncing the government and country at large, since this would essentially fuel further anti-Americanism.

There are fine lines not to be crossed and subtle distinctions to be made, all of which are difficult enough in your native tongue, much less in a foreign language whose nuances and vocabulary you have not yet mastered. French people thrive on heated debates. Living in France, one of the first things you must learn is that these "debates" are not personal attacks; rather they are a means of intellectual discussion conducted in a style very foreign to the American culture.

My first week in France, I met a seemingly friendly French guy at a party. Predictably, our conversation almost immediately shifted to American politics. After a few minutes of vehement America bashing seemingly blaming me personally, I naturally took offense, becoming shocked and furious with the nerve of this complete stranger to attack me at a casual social gathering. Noticing my anger, he asked me in a genuinely surprised tone why I seemed so upset. Composing myself and my French skills, I explained to him that even though I didn't necessarily agree with the actions of my government, I was still an American and I didn't appreciate him repeatedly attacking my country and insulting me personally. Flabbergasted, he responded that he was just attempting to make conversation.

Therefore, it is very easy to see how a simple cultural difference can be readily mistaken for anti-American sentiment. French people do not act this way only with Americans, but because most Americans do not witness the French in their other interactions, they logically conclude that the French must be acting this way because they are American.

But while a good deal of seemingly anti-American sentiment can thus be explained, there are some French people who do begrudge Americans simply for the fact that they are American. (It is important to note, however, that this perceived animosity is largely exaggerated by American society, and that it is actually far less prevalent than current anti-French sentiment in the United States).

Even before "Bush's Oil War" (as the potential war with Iraq is often referred to here), the French had a reputation for disliking Americans. But, now it is more than the French perception of the rude, uneducated, lazy American who expects the world to speak English. Now the American government is spearheading an immensely unpopular war campaign and openly attacking France's opposition, and France seems to have developed a near obsession with denouncing America.

The French media rarely deviate from a daily focus on the absurdity of U.S. foreign policy, and it is not unusual to see anti-war or anti-Bush (the two being essentially synonymous) propaganda all over the place. It is indeed somewhat unnerving to receive news of the United States filtered through an anti-American slant.

Even with the growing anti-American sentiment, however, the atmosphere is not one of hostility or violence towards those Americans living here. I do not feel I must hide the fact that I am American (although even if I wanted to my thick accent would give me away the moment I opened my mouth), nor do I regret my decision to study in France.

And, having now learned to survive those initial 15 minutes or so of America-bashing, maintaining a delicate balance between tolerating and rebutting the attacks, I have found that anti-Americanism seldom hampers my personal relationships or daily dealings with French people.

-- Julie Golomb '04 is currently studying abroad in Paris.