When is a stereotype not a stereotype? When all agree the type is consistent with the persistence of facts.

FRENCH AGREE: THEIR SHOP STAFF ARE SURLY

June 19, 2006 (Telegraph) - French shop assistants are among the least helpful, least knowledgeable and most surly in Europe, a new study shows today.

German stores, in contrast, top the poll for efficiency, knowledge and customer service.

The findings follow a survey of six western European countries by the retail consultants Grass Roots [The Grass Roots Group plc]. More than 3,500 mystery shoppers visited hundreds of fast food, financial services, car and mobile phone shops to compare customer service.

"The French scored second lowest and lowest in every category, from the environment and the waiting time to the smiling and greeting customers," said [Nigel Cover, of Grass Roots]. "We don't want these things to support our stereotypes, but in a strange way they do. If this had been an Englishman's perception of France, that would be one thing. But these were based on French shoppers' perception of the country. The French would like it to be better."

Yes. Yes they would.

PFFT (What is this?): Being a stereotype 4¼ | Rayonnement français 0