Do you think the French are typically rude to all Americans? Or only to fat-stupid-jerk type tourist Americans?

In France, they are in general, known to be rude to all.

I found almost everyone (except the teenagers) was very nice and polite in France. Most of them were not rude at all. And everyone I was with when I went to France said so as well.

I've never been to France, but friends tell me there are plenty of rude Frenchmen and plenty of Americans that re-enforce the "ugly American" stereotype. It cuts both ways.

The younger people are often not rude. They try to help you, but if you encouter a french man or woman somewhere in their 30's 40's, 7 out of 10 will just lift their nose up in the air and will pretend they did not hear you asking for directions.
They look at you as if you just crawled your way out of the sewers. As if you smell worse than their cheeses, if that is possible :P

Anonymous is right, French people are rude to everyone but I don't think they do it on purpose, that's just the way their society behaves.

I think perhaps it is just the French way - they're not rude, in their minds, but come across as rude to pretty much all others? The French are stereotyped in England as being rude, but surely they can't be! If they are... then its not just the Americans!

=)

Rude to all American men? Yes If they can tell.

There was actually a study done on this by NBC, the French actually tend to look on American tourists as the fat cousin that falls down stairs often. Funny, but probably a little smelly. They don't hate us, but use us as comic relief.

not all of them are rude, but they always do seem stuck up to Americans.

The latter. If you show respect, you get it, usually.

I have never been there but my son has and his experience is that they are extremely helpful, kind and positive. He was there on 9/11 and they extended every
courtesty to him as he tried to make reservations to come back home to California. It was a very trying time and everywhere he turned he was met with graciousness and consideration and concern. So based on his experience I would say the French are typically kind. If they are rude it is in response to rudeness and rudeness comes in all colors/flavors/nationalities. I don't think they would limit it to Americans! Happy Sunday to you! :)

I had bitter experience when i visited france ,and i get not know which gate to go in the airport ,so i asked one of the policeman ,and he said "No english" as did not speak franch. i agree with your reason.

I thought it was the other way around! There is a restaurant in Paris where the American owner is fairly infamous for being nasty to his French staff.

I have been in Paris in numerous occasions and always found the people to be very friendly and welcoming.

Wow.. Your question is filled with hate.

I don't think are rude to any particular nationality. I found that they tend to be rude to anyone who doesn't speak French or doesn't even try.
It is probably a leftover from the times when French was a more important and widely used language than English.