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The French
- Thread starter grandM
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I can't say that contempt for the French is a widely held feeling in American culture, but I believe there have been some hard feelings when the French don't see eye to eye with the U.S. brand of diplomacy, and vice a versa, they have sold weapons to groups who the U.S. views as enemies, and the real offense, reports that some French hold US tourists in ill regard culturally when visiting their country! 
Basically, it's the fries. Without the fries, we wouldn't be stupid and obese.
Although, I don't think most 'murkins care if we're obese or stupid.
Perhaps because Americans view them as snooty and arrogant. Probably originates from WWII, when Americans saved their country, they were beyond grateful and loved Americans. Then something happened and they completely changed their tune.
Thinking it's human nature to dislike anyone who's arrogantly different, I recently learned something interesting about the English....there's a North and South divide. The North "Northerners" don't like the South "Cockneys". I was recently in England and heard it from both sides. Interesting bunch the English....they don't like each other, they don't like the Irish, Scottish, or Welsh, and they definitely don't like Americans. In my trip around Europe, I didn't experience arrogance or felt any hate, but looking at the other American tourists I can definitely see how it could exist. I guess it's the way a nation perceives the people from another country, or another part of their country.
Thinking it's human nature to dislike anyone who's arrogantly different, I recently learned something interesting about the English....there's a North and South divide. The North "Northerners" don't like the South "Cockneys". I was recently in England and heard it from both sides. Interesting bunch the English....they don't like each other, they don't like the Irish, Scottish, or Welsh, and they definitely don't like Americans. In my trip around Europe, I didn't experience arrogance or felt any hate, but looking at the other American tourists I can definitely see how it could exist. I guess it's the way a nation perceives the people from another country, or another part of their country.
What do you mean by "American" contempt ?
Contempt for the French is universal, and by that, I mean the whole universe does it
-t
There's no longer a downvote button.
So I upvoted your post with extreme sarcasm.
I hope you can tell. /sarc * 1e308
France opposed the US led war with Iraq and many Americans got peeved about that. French Fries were renamed "Freedom Fries" even though they originated from Belgium. Anyway, it's all water under the bridge now and French people are well received here and well liked.
Give American's taste in general, I would be more worried if the Americans LIKED you.
Says a dutchman. Summary of the dutch track record:
- world war I: did squad - Belgium fought FOUR years
- world war II: capitulated after 3 days - Belgium fought 18 days
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For what it's worth, Canadians make fun of French Canadians as well.
That being said, on my recent trip to Paris, I found the people there to be nothing but accomodating, as I tried to recall my grade school French, when I struggled, they just switched to English without any issues.
Did I mention they were super nice?
That being said, on my recent trip to Paris, I found the people there to be nothing but accomodating, as I tried to recall my grade school French, when I struggled, they just switched to English without any issues.
Did I mention they were super nice?
The French (and I write as one who greatly admires French art, culture, history, literature, philosophy, and whole way of living life and as one who adores French food and wine and cuisine in general) are wonderful as long as you are not transiting through Charles de Gaulle airport
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According to my DNA test I'm Central European- English, French, German, and Swedish, but I haven't been polluted by French cultural uppityness.
Notice the wink, I don't hold the French in distain
.....Contempt for the French is universal, and by that, I mean the whole universe does it
it's only fair since the French hold everybody else in contempt
right, like you really believe that
.......just remembering how often you drag up history, and even invented "history" at that
According to my DNA test I'm Central European- English, French, German, and Swedish, but I haven't been polluted by French cultural uppityness.
Notice the wink, I don't hold the French in distain
I did the whole DNA thing while looking up my family..Interesting stuff.
I've got more W. Europe DNA in me than the typical native.
Attachments
We are related.
You're Central Europe. I'm Western Europe.
My Grandfather on my mom's side is French. His wife was British.
On my Father's side it's Irish all the way.
The French are considered by some to be pompous and grandiose. After all they did give us the modern English word aristocrat. Think of how many du jour words French has given as contribution to English over the years
Any reason not to like French?
- Pomp
- Money
- odour
- Stranger
- Pedestal
- Appeasement
- Pincer
- Stupid
- Repetition
- Divorce
- Vomit
- Reject
- Pulverize
- Glorify
- Bourgeoisie
- Espionage
- Terrible
Any reason not to like French?
I have been to France many times and I have found the French to be as varied as Americans. When there American tourists behaving boorishly, the French show their complete mastery of arrogance. When being treated respectfully, they respond in kind.
My father, a WW II Vet, went to the American Cemetery at Normandy several years ago and we were treated great in all of the small towns nearby we visited. In many restaurants, the staff seeing my father's age would ask if he was a WW II vet. When he would proudly answer that he had served in the European theater, they would almost always thank him and tear up the check.
My father, a WW II Vet, went to the American Cemetery at Normandy several years ago and we were treated great in all of the small towns nearby we visited. In many restaurants, the staff seeing my father's age would ask if he was a WW II vet. When he would proudly answer that he had served in the European theater, they would almost always thank him and tear up the check.