"France made me cry": a video that's gone viral
While strolling along the banks of the Saône in Lyon, an American tourist chose TikTok as a platform to share her impressions of her trip to the capital of the Gauls. The video, titled "France made me cry", quickly gained attention, accumulating over 5.5 million views in three days. The young woman, depicting her struggles to connect with the locals, sparked a massive reaction on social media. Between understanding, criticism, and teasing, the internet lit up with this unexpected confession.
Lyon, a beautiful but lonely city?
"To be honest, the experience really isolates me," she begins in the video. She mentions the beauty of the city, its cultural richness, and the variety of activities, but she highlights the difficulty of integrating, especially for solo travelers or those who don't speak French. Describing herself as "very sociable" and a fan of meeting new people, she found it challenging to form connections in Lyon. The video sparked a conversation about the experience of visiting a new place and feeling disconnected.
Having traveled to Italy and Germany without encountering such obstacles, she expresses her surprise at the "coldness" she feels from the people of Lyon. "In France, I really feel isolated, people make me feel bad for not knowing their culture or not speaking their language," she confides. Laughs, tears, and a French beret are all part of her story. Mixing nervous laughs with heartfelt tears, the tourist shares her distress, even going so far as to say that she feels "almost stupid for coming here, for spending money." A touch of irony appears when she reveals that she bought a French beret, symbolizing her immersion in French culture. The video raises questions about how foreigners perceive Lyon and France in general. Social media is, of course, the stage for a lively debate between those who understand her integration struggles and the defenders of the city of lights.@realphdfoodie Solo traveling in France is such an isolating experience. Do not recommend for solo travelers and people who do not speak French. #france #lyon #lyonfrance🇫🇷 #lyonfrance #solotraveler #solofemaletraveler #solotravelwoman #frenchculture #frenchcultureshock #fyp #fypシ ♬ original sound - RealPhDFoodie
