If you’ve ever been to Paris before, chances are you were annoyed with a few things in Emily in Paris. It was such a classic rude American abroad story that I couldn’t help rolling my eyes at the stupidity. I may be a little late to the Emily in Paris review game, but I was thinking about it late last night and couldn’t get these annoyances out of my head, so now they’re in a grumpy old rant in a nice, easy listicle here for you to enjoy.
Burgers
Okay, Emily is clearly not paying attention to anything around her, which is apparent in more than just her stupidity about food. The scene where she is in the Ralph Lauren restaurant with another American is so unimaginative it’s sigh inducing. Here, Emily complains of not getting a burger in Paris and joyfully orders one off the menu, beyond excited that the menu is in english, because what would be worse than moving to a foreign country and actually having to learn the language? First off, McDonald’s exists in Paris and you can order a beer with your meal, so it’s already kicking America’s butt. So do lots of restaurants that serve burgers. So do restaurants that are all about burgers. My favourite burger joint in Paris? Paris New York. Delicious as fuck.
The Language Barrier.
Okay, so she had to leave fairly quickly and didn’t have much time to learn the language. Fair. But, she seems confused as to why people want to speak the language of their own country and won’t cater to her every whim. She does, eventually, try to learn the language, but her complete rudeness that not everyone will bow down to her American needs makes me want to vomit.
Plain Rude
When she tells her neighbour how stupid it is that the first floor begins on the second floor (and the main ground level floor is actually zero), I can’t. She has just met him and sounds like a complete ass. It’s kind of weird that this is a thing, and can be confusing at time, but it also makes sense. Why would the main floor be the first floor? It’s the main floor, so zero. Honestly, I go back and forth on this and have to remind myself that an apartment on the 5th floor without an elevator is actually 6 flights of stairs and I better be prepared to get my exercise in.
Complain about things all you want, you don’t have to like everything from a country, but don’t be surprised about differences and don’t complain about them to locals you just met. Save that shit for downloads with your friends or your diary. It’s like she expected to move to a different country, but it still be America with better architecture. Don’t get me started on when she sends back a steak because it isn’t cooked to her, disgusting, expectations.
The Wardrobe
She looks like an idiot in almost every scene and I can’t believe that she’s supposed to be coming off as somewhat fashionable. She’s in Paris, can she not go shopping for some better clothes? She, clearly, has tons of money considering her apartment location and the fact that she never takes the metro. The loud, obnoxious dressing is just vomit inducing. She doesn’t need to look like every fellow Parisienne, but take note from them and get some better outfits.
Her Expectations
She just expected that she would land in a new country, roll into the office, and then be handed every dream account imaginable. Slow your damn roll, kid. That’s not how life works. If just simply moving to Paris was exciting for you, then take a moment to realize that that is part of the dream package and you’ll, eventually, be able to do more for the company.
Lack of Research
She seemed to have done zero research into living in Paris, instead, assuming it would be like a movie. She would land at the airport, fly over to her ultra chic apartment, and start at her dream job where everything works exactly as it does at home. There are definitely some things to get used to in Paris, and no amount of research can prepare you for some things, but at least do a little research into the company and into the working hours. She didn’t look into when the office would open, and showed up when she thought it should. If you’re starting a new job in a new country, wouldn’t the start time be one of your first questions?
Instagram Fame
I’m not quite sure how her Instagram following skyrocketed with a few pics of Paris. She had nothing going on before, and suddenly, she’s a star everyone is listening to? I don’t think so. As a social media ‘expert’ she barely even had a hold on her own social media accounts. No amount of charming Parisian architecture will change that.
The American Obsession of Hating Different Cultures
American friends, is this really how all of you were raised? As a Canadian visiting the States many times, I know that these douches do exist, but isn’t it about time we all put the stereotype to rest? Or, is it too engrained in some people’s minds (*ahem Darren Star*) to get over?
Yeah, some things are weird in other countries. Yeah, a lot of things can be annoying. Yeah, the stereotypes portrayed in Emily in Paris can be accurate at times. But, not all the time and not with such intensity. It’s just another show of an American who hates everything that is not American. Honestly, I watched this for the supporting characters, and tried my best to ignore the ignorant, rude American who sat front and center. That being said, I really can’t wait for the second season.
