I am studying my Master’s in Paris and I came here with a friend. For context, I am from Britain but hold a dual-nationality (French) as my mother is French. Unfortunately I am not fluent in the language but I am learning. First things first, I sat down to wait for my friend. The two staff next to me scanning tickets started laughing and making jokes in a British accent, mocking the way some British people speak which I thought was rude. Next, I went to leave my seat as I didn’t want to hear it so I went to get a ticket and I asked in French/introduced in French if she speaks English. I showed her my French ID card as it is free for EU nationals under 26. She said in a disgusted tone ‘you’re French?’ And I said yes I am half, and she rudely goes ‘well that is surprising considering you don’t speak the language.’ I was rather taken aback and surprised at this blunt comment where she continued to just stare at me. While I know it is surprising, it is frankly not appropriate for her in a customer service setting to say this to my face? I don’t know if that’s normal behaviour but I’m not sure why she decided to share her opinion so rudely to me. So I go back to the two who were mocking British accent to go enter and they completely blanked me, didn’t speak to me and just pointed at me to the entrance. Overall, it just soured the experience.

I’m so surprised at how I was treated here so I won’t be returning. As a foreigner being made to feel unwelcome is a feeling I wouldn’t wish on anyone. God forbid they travel to another country!