That doesn't surprise me, and I really don't blame you. I heard a lot of things, but in particular one coworker (in France), said that Quebecois speak "like they're retarded". If you can't win as a native French-Canadian, then it's not possible. For comparison, in my 36 years I've never heard a single (fellow-)American refer to any other accent, dialect or second language learner of English as sounding retarded. Which, knowing my own country, is pretty surprising to me as a revelation. Contrary to popular belief, I think people here are more open and accepting than many others. I've spent most of my life around some classless, low-life people too.

Not to mention comments about other French speaking people, "la petite Belge", other diminishing comments. I've never seen such a superiority/inferiority complex, and I've seen some seriously challenged compatriots in my own country. I do have many friends in France who are exceptions, very open individuals, and love the countryside. These memories remind me of my time in Moscow, a Portuguese kid was there, and told me that I was working in the "wrong country" (France). The French guy there, who had previously told me "France was BS", and was in Russia mostly to shmooze with Russian women, perked up and asked "do you know where I am from?", suddenly defensive of the homeland. Maybe I'm too critical of the French, I don't know, I want to always be objective for sure, but I noticed the majority of other European nationalities tended to agree or already hold views that I was building up to with my experiences. Unlike the original blogger of this article, I'm not afraid of appearing insensitive or blunt, as long as it's an objective reality with some merit. Always some truth behind stereotypes (where there's smoke, there's fire!), positive and negative for all of us.

Ultimately though, the proof of my feelings are in the results, my speaking French is admiration and a favor for their culture and civilization. Like you. It didn't really open up any doors for me. I was brought to France to work with little knowledge in French. I don't have to do it, it was me being a curious, good person, extending an olive branch. I will speak English in France if I want to now. I'm not sour (I have no reason to be), but given what I know, I won't feed into further glorification. Any time spent on language will be spent on improving my Spanish instead, which has opened up a much larger world for me. Useful vacation, retirement and remote work spots are more accessible around the world, and a shocking number of people in the US speak it. It's nice to be able to listen in!