This is something that happened years ago, around 2016-2017, but it’s been on my mind recently so I figured I’d ask about it.
I was a junior in college when a small group of international students came to visit out school. They were all from France, and were only there for a brief period of time. Our major was a smaller one, only about 20-23 in our entire graduating class, so it was really cool to meet some other students studying the same major as us.
On the first day that they were there, it was a little awkward, so my Orientation Leader training kicked in and approached them first for conversation. Things were going well, and I asked them if they wanted to go to lunch so I could show them around town. They agreed, and unanimously voted to go to the local McDonald’s. They were excited to try the menu and see what all was different between the American version of the food vs what they were used to in France.
After we got our food and sat down, they were laughing and conversing and having a great time. As someone who loves to capture lovely moments like this in my own life, I figured that I would offer to take a picture for them of this fun moment in their trip to the USA to keep.
As soon as I did, the entire mood shifted. They very quickly and anxiously told me no, and from how vivid the reaction was, I feared that I made an inappropriate cultural blunder of some kind. The rest of the meal was in awkward silence and as soon as we were back on campus they said goodbye and left. None of them really spoke to me for the rest of their stay, even when I would attempt to strike up conversation again.
It’s something that I’ve often wondered about every now and again. Is there some kind of taboo in France where you don’t snap photos while people are eating? Did they not want to be seen eating at an American McDonalds? Is it a secret third thing? Maybe I’m looking too much into this, but I’m curious to hear from some international voices what they think.
So you’re asking about something that happened 9 or 10 years ago? There are some great movies on Netflix if you’re that bored.
So you’re commenting on someone’s post just to tell them you don’t like their post?
I guess I’ll be the one to break it to you, because you’re obviously clueless…
THIS IS REDDIT. It’s a type of social media.
Maybe there’s a tutorial for you somewhere before you post such idiocy again?
What a ridiculous response. Their story is interesting (more than some of the other posts on this subreddit). It’s clear that you didn’t read past the first sentence.
Maybe they didn’t want other people to know they were at McD’s? Like they were embarrassed at the idea? People can be weird.
Nta but hopefully now you have that confirmation you can stop thinking about it. I know what its like to constantly replay something. You didnt do anything wrong, they were being weird.
Maybe it was just the fact that a stranger clicked a photo of them on his own device without asking? I mean I would be creeped out too
ETA: Ignore me. I apparently can’t read. Misread a whole sentence
NTA and there are McDonalds in France (Le Big Mac) Something very weird about their reaction. I wouldn’t think about it again.
Should have asked them.
He clearly said he did. The question changed the mood. No pic was taken.
No.
Should have asked them why they were upset. They’re the only ones who know.
Missed opportunity.
They were uncovered operatives.
Burger King employees.