Everything Wrong with Emily in Paris
Buckle up mon ami because we have a lot to talk about…
A new Netflix show from the creator of Sex in the City is causing quite the stir on the internet. Emily in Paris has only been out for a week and already racked up a sizable amount of, mostly negative, reviews (like this one star review from The Guardian and a host of negative, French press).
But what’s so wrong about a midwestern girl (played by Lily Collins) moving to Paris for a dream job in marketing? Well, a lot…
Emily’s Lack of French
Let’s start with the most obvious one. Emily does not speak French. Like, not a single word of French (aside from a poorly pronounced “bonjour”). While it’s understandable an American show wants to avoid the need for subtitles, its attempts to cater to a subtitle-averse audience are downright unrealistic.
Joining a foreign workplace without knowing the native language is not only unrealistic, but downright rude. The idea of an entirely French-speaking office suddenly switching everything to English for a single employee is not something that happens.
Granted, Emily wasn’t supposed to receive the Paris job. Her superior (who received a Masters in French) was. But how was a junior agent that speaks no French the second choice for this job? I find it hard to believe no one else in her Chicago office even spoke mediocre, conversational French.
Not only does Emily not speak French, she appears unconcerned with learning it. Aside from attending a single beginners French class (while wearing a beret, of course), Emily’s attempts to speak French are little to none. Not surprisingly, her French does not improve from episode one to episode ten. Emily exists in a dream world where learning the native, workplace language is unnecessary.
…and French Peoples’ Lack of French
When Emily’s around, everything’s in English…even two French people speaking to each other. There are countless instances of this throughout the season, including Emily’s French boss yelling at a French hotel clerk in English. Sorry, that would never happen.
Where’s the Metro?
Emily’s three modes of transportation are walking in heels, taking (very expensive) taxis, or riding on a motorized scooter with a hot guy.
The metro, a staple of Parisian public transportation, receives a single mention in the entire season. Emily says she took the metro once and “ended up in the 21st (arrondissement)”. Translation: she got very lost and never took the metro again. Living in Paris and getting around without the metro (or even a bike rental service) is incredibly unrealistic.
Chambre de Non
Seeing Emily walk to the office every day in work-inappropriate stilettos makes me think she lives conveniently close to work. The first episode introduces her beautiful, roomy apartment as a “chambre de bonne”.
A chambre de bonne is a small, former maids’ quarter located on the top floor of apartment buildings. Emily’s room is significantly roomier than a chambre de bonne, which oftentimes has a shower located in the kitchen to save space (yes, we’re talking that small).
Negative French Stereotypes
This show is fueled by every negative, French stereotype in the book. To name a few: the French are rude, they’re lazy and always come to work late, they don’t shower, everyone has extramarital affairs, they talk about sex all the time (even in important client meetings), and they’re stuck in tradition and averse to new ideas.
“Nice” French people are seen as an anomaly (and a product of American influence). When receiving help from a French stranger (Camille), Emily vents about how everyone in France is rude and bluntly asks her how she turned out “nice.” Camille’s response? She grew up watching American television! Wow, because thank God for American television otherwise the entire French population would be rude and not speak a word of English.
The “American Way”
All the negative, French stereotypes in the show seem to fuel an underlying premise of Emily’s way (the American way) is right and the French way is wrong. Emily is hired to “bring the American perspective” to the French agency, which in and of itself foreshadows the American exceptionalism that permeates this show.
Emily has no character arc. Instead of growing or changing herself, Emily spends ten episodes changing the French. Every episode presents Emily’s ideas as innovative and genius. Her challenge? She just needs to convince her French counterparts that it’s the right thing. Et voila! their problems are solved.
A thin, pretty, white, American girl moving to a country where she doesn’t speak the language to “improve” things with her western perspective is incredibly problematic (even if the country in question is predominantly white and European).
Diversity Who?
Paris is a diverse, international city yet the almost entirely white cast does not reflect this. One Black coworker and a Chinese best friend (who seems to be a vehicle for jokes with punchlines about Chinese stereotypes) is far from diverse. And don’t get me started on the clear lack of size diversity.
Accidental Influencer Status
Emily’s social media success is a prime example of just how easy things are for her. She arrives in Paris with 48 instagram followers. Through only organic engagement, and a lot of half-assed hashtags, Emily manages to quickly surpass 20K followers. The idea that someone can unintentionally reach influencer status while posting candid pics of Paris is very unrealistic.
A Paved Road to Success
Emily’s social media success goes in line with the no-road-blocks style of Emily’s life and career in Paris. Doors are both literally and metaphorically opened for her. CEOs, haute couture designers, and the like are in awe of Emily. She scores meetings and clients with little to no effort (or a single word of French).
Her Long Line of Suitors
As if getting a dream job she’s vastly under-qualified for wasn’t enough, Emily also manages to have every man she meets fall head over heels in love with her. It doesn’t mattered if they’re married or have a hot French girlfriend. Every man wants Emily.
Emily’s Budget (or lack thereof)
Taking taxis, eating at a bistro every morning, and paying for international shipping for a dozen heavy boxes of “essentials” from America (like Trader Joe’s peanut butter, duh)… These are just a few of the hints that Emily’s budget is très large for a junior marketing agent.
An Empty Café de Flore
The historic Café de Flore is not, in fact, the “coolest café in all of Paris” (at least not in this century). Plus this tourist destination is rarely, if ever, this empty…
The “Fashion” (someone had to say it)
Emily’s fashion choices are…questionable.
A Fantasy World
Is Emily in Paris a fun, colorful escape from the current state of the world? Sure. But it’s important to remember that escape is a fantasy world far from reality.
Emily in Paris had the opportunity to educate viewers on the beauty, diversity, and culture of the city of lights. Instead, it provided a problematic and cliché-filled view of one privileged American’s dream come true.
Here’s to hoping the next season will remedy a few of these problems…
