First the Statue of Liberty, then this guy. I like France.

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AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the complex relationship between Americans and the French, sparked by a positive comment made by a French individual about Barack Obama. The initial poster expresses a newfound appreciation for America, influenced by the French perspective. This leads to a broader conversation about historical grievances, such as the French refusal to allow U.S. military use of their airspace and perceptions of French snobbery. Participants debate the reasons behind American disdain for the French, citing World War II memories and cultural differences. Some argue that the dislike is rooted in nationalism and historical context, while others suggest that negative feelings are often exaggerated or based on stereotypes. The dialogue also touches on how perceptions can shift based on personal experiences and interactions, highlighting the nuances of international relations and cultural misunderstandings. Overall, the thread reflects a mix of admiration, frustration, and humor regarding the American-French dynamic.
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I've always been quick to pick on the French, but sometimes they really hit the nail on the head. I was excited to see Obama win, but I wasn't really emotional about it. This guy on Charlie Rose changed that. It took a French guy to make me proud to be an American again. Just listening to him gave me chills. Fast forward to 13:10 and just listen to him.
http://www.charlierose.com/shows/2008/11/4/1/live-coverage-of-the-2008-presidential-election
Another quote from this guy: "Rosa Parks sat in order for Martin Luther King to walk in order for Barak Obama to run in order for the American people to fly."
 
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Why do americans hate french people so much?

What did france ever do to us?
 
They didn't let us use their airspace. They acted snobbish towards Americans. They forgot WWII.
 
Cyrus said:
Why do americans hate french people so much?

the french hate americans too.. and asians... and africans...

(-_-)
 
tribdog said:
They didn't let us use their airspace. They acted snobbish towards Americans. They forgot WWII.

Boo hoo hoo. Get over it.
 
you asked.
 
tribdog said:
you asked.

Really, WWII? Are they supposed to bend over and kiss our backside on every issue because of something that happened 50 years ago.

Im just trying to see the rationalization of your though process here on an irrational viewpoint.
 
hey. you asked. Those are some reasons why Americans dislike the french. And 50 years ago isn't that long ago. My uncle fought in France and he's still alive. I suppose things will change once that generation is gone, but it was really important to them. To go fight halfway across the world to save country that just rolled over and surrendered to the Nazis only to have that country say we couldn't use their airspace later on really pissed off a lot of veterans.
 
Cyrus said:
Why do americans hate french people so much?

What did france ever do to us?

I knew someone who had heritage here in the US ( Heugonots ) , when he went to France he was surprised to find that they disregarded him ; yes they really dislike us - we are simply patient with them.

Since the French have " loved Obama so much " it seems that they have no issues with Africans - or maybe it is because they have issues with the Scotch - Irish ... relatively.
 
  • #10
The french did send troops to help insurgents overthrow the government in America and effect regime change.
 
  • #11
My original post was something good a french guy said. I didn't mean to start a france bashing thread.
 
  • #12
GCT said:
I knew someone who had heritage here in the US ( Heugonots ) , when he went to France he was surprised to find that they disregarded him ; yes they really dislike us - we are simply patient with them.

Since the French have " loved Obama so much " it seems that they have no issues with Africans - or maybe it is because they have issues with the Scotch - Irish ... relatively.

I think most of the world doesn't like Americans thanks to Bush, not just france. I've never been there, so I can't comment on how they treat US visitors. I know they booed Serina Williams in the French open.

In the 60s france was a refuge for black american scholars/musicians.
 
  • #13
Cyrus said:
I think most of the world doesn't like Americans thanks to Bush, not just france. I've never been there, so I can't comment on how they treat US visitors. I know they booed Serina Williams in the French open.

In the 60s france was a refuge for black american scholars/musicians.

thanks to Bush? are you nuts? The world has hated america for decades.
 
  • #14
tribdog said:
thanks to Bush? are you nuts? The world has hated america for decades.

I don't think so. The middle east and the US got along quite well in the 60s.

Why did they hate us?
 
  • #15
tribdog said:
My original post was something good a french guy said. I didn't mean to start a france bashing thread.

Then you have underestimated our annoyance with the French ; besides your OP had an anti-France tone to it.

They have always disregarded us , so forget that one guy's rather intangible comment ; did you ever consider on whether it was actually meant as a joke - perhaps the French people are laughing at it also?

" American people to fly "?!

This seems disregarding. Yeah all of the world is going to witness the Americans fly however

... where are they going?
 
  • #16
Americans are only in 3rd place in the ranks of people the french hate.
Behind the English (the French only dislike the Americans because they are just the English with better teeth) and top of list - Parisians.
 
  • #17
Cyrus said:
I don't think so. The middle east and the US got along quite well in the 60s.

Why did they hate us?

It is true that they dislike us , everyone whom I knew that studied abroad there testified to this.

My guess is that one aspect is that they dislike our culture as compared with theirs. Also Americans are pretty ignorant of European history and this annoys them since most of them depend on the acknowledgment of this history to endeavor in their lifestyle which consists of food , wine , girls , and intellectual pretense.
 
  • #18
mgb_phys said:
Americans are only in 3rd place in the ranks of people the french hate.
Behind the English (the French only dislike the Americans because they are just the English with better teeth) and top of list - Parisians.

Then perhaps the British dislike us because we have better teeth?
 
  • #19
GCT said:
Since the French have " loved Obama so much " it seems that they have no issues with Africans.
Remember the riots back in '05 that swept through France? Rioters were mostly immigrants from North Africa.
 
  • #20
mgb_phys said:
Americans are only in 3rd place in the ranks of people the french hate.
Behind the English (the French only dislike the Americans because they are just the English with better teeth) and top of list - Parisians.

:smile: ... so true!

GCT said:
Then perhaps the British dislike us because we have better teeth?

Nope, that logic doesn't follow; at least, not for that reason!
 
  • #21
tribdog said:
They forgot WWII.

You're kidding, right? I mean, the French had such an easier time during the war than you guys :rolleyes:
 
  • #22
They had a much easier time during the war than they would have without us guys.
 
  • #23
You all realize that Vanesch is going to show up and ban you all soon, right? :biggrin:
 
  • #24
tribdog said:
They had a much easier time during the war than they would have without us guys.

Sure, but pray tell how this relates to your comments that the French "forgot WWII." I find that a highly insulting comment to make (which, like your other off the cuff, sweeping remarks, are made without any sort of evidence, presumably supposed to be some sort of joke [sic]) and I'm not even French!
 
  • #25
I never said I felt this way. I was simply giving reasons for the american/french enmity. The reasons I gave were things I heard when I was a kid. I remember my grandpa saying things like that. I wasn't trying to insult anyone, I wasn't trying to say anything bad about french people. Look at the title of this thread. I was trying to say I had been quick to insult in the past, but this guy really changed my thought processes. If you or anyone else is insulted by what I've said then screw you and if you or anyone else is highly insulted then screw you on a ladder.
 
  • #26
Americans don't hate French. I went to a pre-dominantly American bar (near border), and girls were talking to my buddy and I simply because we spoke french.

I didn't even have to try.
 
  • #27
tribdog said:
I never said I felt this way. I was simply giving reasons for the american/french enmity. The reasons I gave were things I heard when I was a kid. I remember my grandpa saying things like that. I wasn't trying to insult anyone, I wasn't trying to say anything bad about french people. Look at the title of this thread. I was trying to say I had been quick to insult in the past, but this guy really changed my thought processes. If you or anyone else is insulted by what I've said then screw you and if you or anyone else is highly insulted then screw you on a ladder.

:smile: BEST appology EVER.
 
  • #28
cristo said:
:smile: ... so true!



Nope, that logic doesn't follow; at least, not for that reason!

I hope you know I was being sarcastic - not really tuning into logic here - just pointing out the irrelevance of the " better teeth " part.
 
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  • #29
Moonbear said:
You all realize that Vanesch is going to show up and ban you all soon, right? :biggrin:
Vanesch is Belgian so he probably won't mind people disparaging the French..

The French I think look down on the Americans as they believe them to be culturally uncouth but their real loathing is reserved for the English. When I was in France the difference in French peoples attitude towards me was polar opposites from when I first spoke and they assumed I was English and after when I told them I was Irish after which they couldn't have been nicer.
 
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  • #30
French toast, french dressing, french horns, french fries, french windows, French's mustard, french curves, what's not to like. And then there's french kissing. Ooh-la-la.
 
  • #31
Art said:
The French I think look down on the Americans as they believe them to be culturally uncouth
That's their attitude to everyone - the only people more arrogant than the french are Parisians.

but their real loathing is reserved for the English.
Well we have had nearly 900year head start - give it time.

When I told them I was Irish after which they couldn't have been nicer.
Any enemy of the English will do.
 
  • #32
mgb_phys said:
That's their attitude to everyone - the only people more arrogant than the french are Parisians.


Well we have had nearly 900year head start - give it time.


Any enemy of the English will do.

The French are nice to the Irish?! Since when?

French are pretty nationalistic and so are most other Euronations ... my guess is that they are simply nationalistic and most of them have the time of day to have a good ol' conversation about how much they dislike the US.
 
  • #33
The French are nice to the Irish?! Since when?
I think it's more like the 'auld alliance' where the scots and french were able to put aside religous, philosphical and cultural differences to unite in a common bond of hating the English.
 
  • #34
GCT said:
so are most other Euronations ... my guess is that they are simply nationalistic and most of them have the time of day to have a good ol' conversation about how much they dislike the US.

Any source of that claim, or is it your own opinion?
 
  • #35
On a similair note - why do the Americans tell Irish jokes about the poles?
The stereotype of poles in the UK is that they are all hard working plumbers and builders that actually finish the job and time and budget.
 
  • #36
mgb_phys said:
On a similair note - why do the Americans tell Irish jokes about the poles?
The stereotype of poles in the UK is that they are all hard working plumbers and builders that actually finish the job and time and budget.

Americans tell jokes about the poles? Are you crazy? I have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for the Poles. There are no finer people on the earth.
 
  • #37
Borek said:
Any source of that claim, or is it your own opinion?

Many nations have adopted a " pan-regional " endeavor of securing values and heritage - especially those that have been invaded many times e.g. tribal England by the Romans and then the Anglo Saxons and also China by Japan. Nationalistic countries have the tendency of regarding themselves as inclusive and unique ; and are usually comprised majorily by one more or less homogenous group with several minority groups.

Are the Polish nationalistic? My guess is that they adhere to culture however there isn't one majority group of people that claims Poland.
 
  • #38
The French people I know are especially kind and wonderful, and I'd say much the same about people from all countries I've met, including English, other Europeans and Americans. If French people do seem to like us and we are Australian, does that mean that we are enemies of the English? I hope not.
 
  • #39
fuzzyfelt said:
If French people do seem to like us and we are Australian, does that mean that we are enemies of the English? I hope not.
That's only because the French don't play cricket against you.
 
  • #40
There is an awful lot of generalisation here. I'd guess that all populations have a range of good/bad people whatever that may be.

There is too much globalization going on to have those little feuds.
 

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