I was in Club Med in Cancun from March 7th - March 14th. The place is beautiful. Incredible beaches, awesome food and beautiful rooms but I will never go back there. If you don't speak French, you are not welcome at Club Med. They are a French company and they cater to French people and although tolerated, people who only speak English are not welcome. The French Canadians that were there, were incredibly 'click-ish' and if you can't give a good response to 'Bonjour!' you should stay home. I had several instances where I went to the dining area and sat down at a table where there were mostly French people and they would often just get up and leave. The G.O.'s are all multi-lingual but it was easy to see that they would be polite to the English speaking people but would spend the bulk of their time with the French Canadians. I even had one of the G.O.'s tell me how much he hated, "Those New Yorkers". . I had a very difficult time getting to eat at the exclusive La Palapa restaurant. Took me four attempts to get in there and on one occasion they even told me to my face that they would not take my reservation. If they don't like American people, they should not take our American dollars. I suggest staying at a Hilton or some other American based resort if you want to visit Cancun.

While I have not been to Club Med Cancun (am planning to do so next year), I have been to Turks & Caicos and yes this was several years ago (pre 9/11 and pre-Irag "conflict"). .. ..the GO's were NOTHING but wonderful. In fact, we had many of them wanting to hang with us Americans because we were so much fun. I really find it hard to believe that because you're American that you were treated badly. How did you treat them?!!!

Remember there is probably no one on this earth (American or not) who agrees with their government 24/7/365. I don't always agree with our President but I consider myself lucky for my freedom, my rights, my way of life. And I respect those in other countries, that is THEIR right.
If you let these people treat you like crap, that's your fault. You cannot be made to feel inferior without your consent (Eleanor Roosevelt)!

I would tend to agree with the gentleman who had a mixed experience at the village in Cancun. I have been to a number of different Club Med villages around the world and always have a good time. But, my experience with the GOs -- and the French, for that matter -- has been very, very similar. In fact, at the village in Bodrum, Turkey a couple of years ago, I was routinely excluded from joining groups of the French at dinner time. But, I've decided that the good outways the bad, and plan to return to Club Med in the future.

I've been to Club Med Moorea and Bora Bora several times. My 10th time coming up this coming October. Each time has been a great experience. Every on knows that the French do not care for us Americans excpet for our $$$, but who cares, no love lost. You're there for a stress free beautiful vacation. Out of the 9 time I've been to Tahiti, I only had one minor incident. Nothing to call or write home about. Nothing to distract me from having a wonderful vacation. Club Med's GO's are very friendly and helpful. The meals were wonderful (alittle too much food). . They really work at putting on good, funny entertainment. Club Med is the only way to go.. .. .. .

I feel sorry that you didn't enjoy your stay. But why are you so angry? If you had a bit of imagination, you would realize that your experience is just a very common one at any hotel around the world for, say, a German. Or if you were a Russian, you would never have anyone to give you direction in your own language, not to mention a fun conversation at dinner table! Or if you were born to be a Japanese, GO's wouldn't even have greeted "Bonjour!" to you. It is only a common thing to happen to most of people that are not English speaking, and they are used to being neglected by those English speaking people, especially the Americans!! You should be thankful to Club Med that it taught you how it would be like to be treated like that! (That's the reality for most of 6 billion people on earth)

Went to Club Med Moorea a few years back. Quite a few years ago in fact. Everything was absolutely wonderful. The only bad experience was dealing with most of the french. One of my favorites was sitting down to breakfast with a french family. I sat next to the father and said "Bojoir" (sic). . He actually looked at me and turned his chair away from me while staring me in the eyes. I actually chuckled at the guy and as I was smiling at him asked if he would pass the sugar (for my coffee). . I had seen this guy speaking English earlier. This fine French specimen moved it away from me. Being an American Cowboy and all without any manners what-so-ever, a stereotype of all Americans explained to me later by another Frenchman, I got out of my seat, got between him and his wife and grabbed the sugar. While I was at it I grabbed the cream. I had my own but I figured his was better, seeing how he liked cream in his coffee too. I smiled and apoligized in spanish all the while. For some reason I happened to put both creamers just out of the poor fellow's reach. As breakfast proceeded the Frenchman poured another cup of coffee and started looking at the two creamers. He looked at me, then looked at the creamers. I watched him and smiled as he was torn between cream for his coffee and having to acknowledge my presence. I gave him an "A" for consistancy since he decided the coffee was just fine black. Me and the wife really liked this guy and for the rest of our stay we would seek him out and sit next to him whenever possible. On lounge chairs, at the bar, you name it. I even sent him a few drinks when we couldn't get together. After awhile he wouldn't even turn around to see me smiling and holding my drink up in universal salute. We actually ate several meals together all the while his "A" held up. What a trooper. I often wonder if my Dad did something in France when he was liberating the country and this guy somehow recognized my last name. My Dad only had good things to say about France and the French and was proud to have helped. Oh well.

I agree 100%. . Club med caters to french people. I visited Club Med Phuket and I felt alienated from french people. They were awful. I am Canadian and my husband is Japanese. I also talked to an Australian couple who agreed with me as well. I would much rather be seated with American people than French people because American people are hospitable.
A word of advice to the Americans, greet them in Spanish!! I can speak Japanese and I greeted them in Nihon-go.. ..it really threw them off and it was actually quite fun..my husband and I had a great time because they couldn't understand what we were discussing.

By the way, for all the Americans, French people are just jealous because America is the strongest country. Chins up!

Have fun and speak Spanish. I will return to Club Med, why would I give them what they want?! Plus, I love practising my Japanese and many other Japanese visit Club Med. Japanese people are much classier and friendlier than many disgruntled Europeans.. ..they love practising English as well.. ..perhaps that is why they are the 2nd strongest economic super-power in the world.. ..BECAUSE THEY HAVE GOOD ATTITUDES!!!

CM is a French-owned company it's true - but they employ people from all over the world. While the French are not exactly known as amenable (especially where Americans are concerened), they definitely are stellar in other areas of life (food, wine, fashion). .

It may be helpful to understand that French was the "Global Language" for centuries (after Latin) and mandated language of diplomacy. As finance (i.e. money) has taken pre-eminence over everything in the last century - it has affected language as well. The language of business is "English" and so to do business worldwide it is imperative that businesspersons speak English. This turn of the tide away from the langua Franca has been a difficult blow to the French, as has their slip from global prominence in the post-colonial era. They respond by extreme chauvinism in the realm of language - creating an entire government body to oversee the defense of the French language.

I've traveled quite a bit and my experience tells me that if you make an effort to pick up a little of the language prior to your visit, you will be surprised at the amount of warmth you will receive from French people (and other nationalities). . Americans (I've which I'm a proud citizen) I'm afraid do not stress speaking other languages. Unlike Europeans, we are not sandwiched among speakers of others languages. Although most Americans would find it more than helpful to understand Spanish.

[b]Joke[/b]
What do you call someone who speaks two languages? BILINGUAL
What do you call someone who speaks three languages? TRILINGUAL
What do you call someone who speaks one language? AMERICAN

I had the time of my life when I was at Club Med Cancun. I was born and raised in Southern California. I met a lot of the GOs and they were all friendly, even as I was snorkeling without a life vest, outside of the buoys, and oblivious to the rules, they were friendly and patient while explaining the rules. I met the Chief of the Village "Hendel" who is a charismatic and friendly guy that made everyone feel welcome. My stay was from April 17-28 and it was one of the best vacations I have ever been on. The seating in the restaurants is open and I met a lot of people from different countries. I played volleyball with people that spoke only French, I only speak English, but we had a wonderful time. The language barrier was easy to overcome, because we all had the common goal of having fun. I felt welcome from the moment I stepped out of the taxi at the Club Med. My only regret is that I wish I could have extended my stay.

Hendel rox! He was the Chief when I was at Turks back in March 2002.
I totally disagree about problems at club med if you are american. First of all, when I was at Turks, almost everyone was American or Canadian (and not French-Canadian). . Second, there were not even that many French GOs! So maybe it depends on which one you go to - but Turks was a wonderful experience.

I went to Club Med Punta Cana, and I felt veru much at home. The G.Os didn't treat us any different thatn any

Anonymous wrote:I went to Club Med Punta Cana, and I felt veru much at home. The G.Os didn't treat us any different than

the French