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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around perceptions of French people by Americans, exploring historical grievances, cultural misunderstandings, and personal anecdotes. Participants reflect on the complexities of American-French relations, touching on themes of pride, resentment, and the impact of historical events such as World War II.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express pride in a French individual's positive remarks about America, contrasting this with historical grievances.
  • Concerns are raised about why Americans harbor negative feelings towards the French, with some attributing it to perceived snobbishness and historical events like WWII.
  • Others argue that the dislike is mutual, suggesting that the French also harbor negative feelings towards Americans and other nationalities.
  • Several participants recount personal experiences or anecdotes that illustrate cultural misunderstandings between Americans and the French.
  • Some participants challenge the notion that the French have "forgotten" WWII, arguing that such statements are insulting and lack evidence.
  • There are references to broader global perceptions of Americans, with some attributing negative views to political figures like George Bush.
  • Discussions include the idea that cultural differences and ignorance of history contribute to tensions between the two groups.
  • Some participants assert that not all Americans dislike the French, citing personal experiences that contradict the generalization.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reveals multiple competing views regarding American attitudes towards the French, with no consensus on the reasons behind these feelings or the extent of mutual dislike. Participants express a range of opinions, leading to an unresolved debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference historical events and personal anecdotes that may not fully capture the complexity of American-French relations. Assumptions about cultural perceptions and historical grievances are present but not universally accepted.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in cultural studies, international relations, or the dynamics of American and French interactions may find this discussion relevant.

tribdog
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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.