A US travel influencer, Angela, known for her TikTok account RealPHDFoodie, shared an emotional account of her solo trip to France in a viral video titled “France made me cry”.

Angela, with over 15,000 followers, detailed feeling isolated during her month-long European journey, particularly during her stop in Lyon. She attributed her emotional breakdown to perceived unfriendliness from locals, citing language and cultural barriers.

Angela expressed her contrasting experiences in Italy and Germany, “In France, the experience is very different… I almost feel stupid for coming here and spending money. 

I even bought a French hat.” The TikTok video garnered 6.8 million views and 38,000 comments, with some viewers sharing similar negative encounters in France.

In response to the viral video, Angela faced empathy and criticism from netizens. Some recounted their challenges in France, while others suggested the importance of trying to learn a few local words. 

In a follow-up post, Angela emphasised the universal language of kindness and showcased her attempts to speak French, addressing the criticism.

Despite the mixed reactions, Angela received support from French residents, with offers to meet up on her next visit. Lyon’s tourism office extended an invitation for a hosted trip, demonstrating a positive turn amid the initial challenges faced by the solo traveller.