The truth about French stereotypes in Emily in Paris

Since its launch in 2020, the series Netflix Emily in Paris has sparked discussions among skeptical Parisians, French fans, hopeful American travelers, and expatriates. One certainty emerges: opinions diverge. Conceived by Darren Starr, American screenwriter and producer who flirted with the idea of an American in Paris in season 6 of Sex & The City, the plot of Emily in Paris has always captivated. Going back to Audrey Hepburn's role in Sabrina, the idea of an American in Paris attracts the attention of hopeful young women or men who see the city from a romantic angle, while piquing the curiosity of the French about the interpretation of their capital by a major studio. Let's be honest, addressing this topic without resorting to clichés and dramatizations is impossible. Let's take the first scene, where Emily discovers her Parisian apartment. The idea of living without an elevator surprises her, followed, of course, by a neighbor's flirtation attempt after only 5 minutes. Beyond the clichés and naivety, it's a charming interpretation of French stereotypes, not to mock the culture but to amplify it for the sake of a romantic narrative. In reality, the initial impressions show a main character perpetuating French stereotypes themselves, arousing the curiosity of the rest of the team facing this loud American lacking the warmth that, contrary to popular belief, most French people have. Let's take a closer look at some specific aspects of Emily in Paris that deserve to be deciphered, at least for American tourists or workers likely to discover a Paris quite different from the one designed by Netflix.

On the contrary, Parisians work

Although the series portrays the Savoir agency as a place where employees move around without fixed schedules, that's not the reality. The French adhere to office hours and a certain work routine. It's important to emphasize that they don't ridicule American work ethics, often considering it positively, offering the opportunity to push boundaries. Moreover, grabbing the attention of top executives requires more than successful social media campaigns. For Emily, it seems like she doesn't spend enough time sitting at a desk or in front of a computer. Also, the last time I checked, working on the weekend is not illegal. Lastly, while personal and professional life may sometimes blend over a drink after work, the idea of intruding into a colleague's personal life is unusual.

Classic French cuisine is missing

While viewers discover the delights of Gabriel's professional cooking, Emily's often-changing romantic interest, the series neglects classic French cuisine. Certainly, croissants and coffee are omnipresent, but where is the classic ham and butter sandwich for lunch? Where is the aperitif with cheese and wine, or even a simple roasted chicken? The series seems to miss the mark on how an American in Paris, like Emily, would eat. Even though Parisians don't rely as much on fast food as Americans do (especially when it comes to 'food desserts'), a meal at McDonald's is not unheard of. Finally, the Season 2 scene where Gabriel criticizes Emily's prepared dishes for dinner reveals more about Gabriel's personality than about the French. By the way, do you know Picard?

Avant-garde wardrobe without casualness

Yes, Paris is the world capital of fashion, but no, not all working women wear Chanel skirt suits and branded bags. The lack of authentic style serves to entice the viewer, sometimes prompting them to search for an outfit or discover the designer of a handbag. In reality, all female characters in "Emily in Paris" have wardrobes that seem a bit static. The moments when we see Emily in casual outfits are when she's exercising or running on the Seine. Behind the glitter and glamour associated with the Parisian fashion scene, let's remember that Fashion Week doesn't happen every day. A simple pair of jeans paired with a knit sweater and some jewelry would have sometimes been more effective. Emily's wardrobe is certainly the boldest, and while we admire her confidence, we question its practicality.

And the other 16 arrondissements?

The series doesn't present Paris in all its diversity. An uninformed viewer might think that the city is limited to iconic locations such as the Louvre or the Tuileries Garden. What Darren Starr and the other producers have overlooked are the rich cultural enclaves present in each Parisian neighborhood. Emily doesn't venture into the 10th arrondissement to savor delicious Senegalese dishes, for example. The series has been accused multiple times of whitewashing, choosing non-white symbolic characters such as Emily's best friend or her romantic interest in the second season. Even when strolling through the streets, the lack of diversity is glaring. Certainly, there have been flaws in the production. However, for many viewers, Emily in Paris has lived up to its promises with its light narrative, inspiring and romanticizing the Parisian lifestyle that so many dream of. Perhaps Emily herself can be considered one of the main shortcomings. It is rare for an American to come and live and work in the city without speaking a word of French, and few are as arrogant to believe they can do so effortlessly. With the announcement of the fourth season where Emily will jet off to Italy, we will have to wonder if the producers have learned from the criticisms of the previous three seasons. Will Emily's diet consist solely of pasta? Will she be drinking wine all day? For the sake of Italian culture, we hope not. But if the producers do things right, Emily's stay in Italy could offer a new perspective to hopeful travelers and those curious about European culture, allowing them to form an opinion before passing judgment.