Main Differences Between French Men And British Men

By: Muriel

Every time I watch a TV series, there is a French man having an affair with one of the main characters. My new favourite series, Homeland, is no exception: Saul’s wife, Mira, is falling for a French colleague. So, what makes French men so appealing? Is it a stereotype only? Come to think of it, well, I am not sure it is. I would know, I used to be surrounded by French men because I studied science. Well, obviously, since I moved to London, things have changed quite a bit. I believe that I am therefore is a unique position to compile for you a list of the main differences between French men and their British counterparts. Feel free to add to it, to agree, or to disagree. After all, I am still learning (aren’t we all?).

1. Sense of fashion

First of all, French men know how to dress. They are always immaculate and don't do fashion faux pas such as wearing too many stripes or having sport socks with a business suit. Take note. They also seem to look good effortlessly. This is obviously not true. I had to give up having a shower in the morning because my (French) husband spends forever in the bathroom. I shower in the evening. Sad but true. Relationships are about compromise. In France, in the UK and also anywhere else. Sigh;

2. Chivalry

French guys -young or old- also keep the door open for you. They wait for you even when you have to trot in high heels. They make it look completely natural. It doesn't feel sexist or anything. They don't slam the door in your face as is so often the case over here. They make sure that you go home safely after a night out, even if you are not particularly friendly. Not in the UK. A few years ago, after an office Christmas party, I was slightly drunk (you have to let your hair down sometimes, right?). My British colleagues didn't make sure I managed to get back home. They couldn't care less. This is something a French guy would not do, not even to his worst enemy. I am still shocked. They didn't understand why I was a lot less nice to them the day after. They still don't. Anyway: lesson learned - I don't get drunk anymore. Or at least not with British guys;

3. The accent

All my female friends say that, whenever they hear a guy speak with a French accent, they melt. Well, it doesn’t do anything for me. Quite the opposite in fact. When I hear a French guy speak English, I automatically switch to French. And if the guy persists speaking English, I sigh. I get bored. Maybe I am becoming cynical, after all.

That said, I love a guy with a British accent. I find it cute. What I love even more is when a British guy says something that can mean one thing and its complete opposite, like ‘I don’t disagree’. It keeps me busy for the whole day, trying to figure out what he means. I can read French guys pretty easily. Not British men;

4. Sense of humour

It took me a while to get it –and sometimes I still don’t-, but there is such a thing as a British sense of humour. And I love it. Most British men have this amazing ability to laugh at themselves, warts and all. It can be dry, sarcastic and at first it might not even sound funny, but I usually get it a bit later. Let’s just say that French men usually laugh at someone else’s expenses;

5. Drinking Preferences

Well, this is pretty straightforward. The Brits drink beer. Beer in England pre-dates other alcoholic drinks produced in England. We French drink wine or champagne.

And when they don’t drink beer, British men usually have a cup of tea. Of course they do. We French like to have an espresso coffee;

6. The dating game

Every month or so, one of my friends comes to cry on my shoulder because she fancies a British guy and he hasn’t made a move yet. French men are forward. Some even say heavy. Well, British guys aren’t, and my friends never seem to know where they stand. When they make the cardinal mistake of trying to make the first move, the guys usually chicken out. They can’t win. They have to wait.

Given the countless heartbreaks this situation seems to have caused, I am therefore taking the liberty of giving some free advice to British guys out there: make a move now (especially if your first name starts with G. and you are interested in a friend of mine. Just saying).

Honesty, guys, make a move. Tell her you like her;

7. Sports

French usually watch football and rugby. British guys indulge in cricket and golf as well. Do not think that you will be able to watch anything on the telly during the Ashes. Now you are warned;

8. Education

Most schools are single sex this side of the channel. Well, it is not the case in France, where boys and girls are educated together. Some British men are still ill at ease around women, because they are not used to interacting with them. Some women find British men’s clumsiness old-fashioned and charming, others can’t run away fast enough from what they perceive to be a sexist way to behave. After all, it is all a matter of perspective. As for French men, well, let’s just say that most of them are very much at ease around women. A bit too much sometimes;

9. Cold

British men are so used to the cold that they don’t feel it any more. French men are always wrapped up to keep warm, whereas British men run in short pants even when it is snowing. They never ever have a coat on, even during the cold British winter. They seem to be immune to the cold. It is a case of successful adaptation to adverse weather conditions;

What are your views? Did I miss anything? Please let me know.