French cuisine is a major part of French culture, and French food is often regarded as among the best in the world, with The Guardian stating "a really fine French dish represents one of the undisputed pinnacles of human cultural achievement."[10]
The French are commonly regarded to enjoy eating
cheese,
snails,
frog legs, and plenty of bread, particularly
baguettes and
croissants. The French are also known for their fondness for wine.[11]
High fashion
France, particularly Paris, has been perceived for being a high fashion place where designer clothes and cosmetics are made.[12]
Hygiene
The French are perceived as having poor hygiene, originating from American soldiers during
World War II.[13][14]
Laziness
The perception that French workers are prone to strikes and take a lot of time off has established a stereotype of the French being workshy.[15][16]
Onion Johnny
A common stereotypical image of French people, especially in British media, was of a man on a bicycle wearing a
striped jumper and
beret with a string of onions around his neck. This derives from the "
Onion Johnny," a nickname for
Breton itinerant onion-sellers who cycled around
England and
Wales in the 20th century; for many British people, this would be their only contact with French people.[17][18]
Military
Despite being one of the
world's leading powers from the mid 17th century to the early 19th century, the French military had been perceived as poor in armed combat and could be easily defeated in armed struggles, thus likely to surrender. The stereotype is attributed to France's roles
during World War II and the
Franco-Prussian War, in which the French government surrendered to German forces.[19][20] This stereotype was referenced on The Simpsons, where they were described as "
Cheese-eating surrender monkeys".
^"Introduction". Vive la différence! The English and French stereotype in satirical prints 1720-1815. The Fitzwilliam Museum. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
^Passmore, Susan.
"Last of the Onion Men, The". gwales. Retrieved 26 April 2017. – Review of Griffiths, Gwyn (2002). The last of the onion men. Llanrwst: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch.
ISBN9780863817830.