NationStates Jolt Archive

Having noticed an abundance of 'what do you think of the .....' threads, I felt that it was only right to start one up about the French. I am part French, part British and part American, and I personally love France, but I do recognise its unattractive qualities. So what does everyone else think of it? Speak your mind (to a reasonable extent) as I am not offended by frog-haters (but others might be, so...)

Thanks for any input!


Baaaaaarjavel

Here is what I think about France :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/998481.stm

Well I don't know many French people personally, so I can't make any kind of judgement call there.

I do think that the French government takes their militant atheism (not secularism, as secularism and atheism are not equivalent) way too far and makes people afraid to live their own lives anywhere but in their own homes. I think that freedom of religion is very important and the French government seems to make a habit of trampling all over it.

French are sexy. They make good wine. Some really good cheese also.

Here is what I think about France :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/998481.stm


wow opinionated! ;) do you have any personal experiences of France or the French?

France is awsome! They have good FOOD!

I was in France yesterday, I have many friends over there. Everyone is extremely hospitable, the food is excellent and generally it is a highly brilliant country.

Here is what I think about France :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/998481.stm

That's just lazy!! That's so French!!

Just kidding.

I think that Dempublicents have got it vaguely right, that the non-secularism is a little OTT in France, but not all that bad.

I also think that "What do you think of the...?" is the new "Ask a...!"

Generally I'm all for the French. They make nice food and they can do all the jobs that I don't want to. A lot of people can fulfil the second task, but only the French can do both!

wow opinionated! ;) do you have any personal experiences of France or the French?
Well, I'm french and I live in France, so I think I can say that I know a little about it.

Well I don't know many French people personally, so I can't make any kind of judgement call there.

I do think that the French government takes their militant atheism (not secularism, as secularism and atheism are not equivalent) way too far and makes people afraid to live their own lives anywhere but in their own homes. I think that freedom of religion is very important and the French government seems to make a habit of trampling all over it.

bear in mind that the French systems of health, education and politics, have been largely ruled by the Church throughout history, and that their attempts at atheism within public services (such as the ban on headscarves, ostentatious crosses etc in state schools) are to an extent just an attemp to compensate (by promoting equality of all sorts). I am with you on this point by the way (why have they not banned small crosses..?), it's just that I want people to have the full picture!

Well, I'm french and I live in France, so I think I can say that I know a little about it.

Sorry I didn't mean to offend you!!!

bear in mind that the French systems of health, education and politics, have been largely ruled by the Church throughout history, and that their attempts at atheism within public services (such as the ban on headscarves, ostentatious crosses etc in state schools) are to an extent just an attemp to compensate (by promoting equality of all sorts). I am with you on this point by the way (why have they not banned small crosses..?), it's just that I want people to have the full picture!

I understand the history, and that people are often reactionary when they have had problems in the past.

It is just my opinion that, by taking it to the opposite extreme, they are no better than religious fundamentalists.

I understand the history, and that people are often reactionary when they have had problems in the past.

It is just my opinion that, by taking it to the opposite extreme, they are no better than religious fundamentalists.

well said- the French government seems to have a very narrow-minded and misinformed view on the causes of discrimination!

they're nice people. I think they have slightly out-raaageous accents.

Well I don't know many French people personally, so I can't make any kind of judgement call there.

I do think that the French government takes their militant atheism (not secularism, as secularism and atheism are not equivalent) way too far and makes people afraid to live their own lives anywhere but in their own homes. I think that freedom of religion is very important and the French government seems to make a habit of trampling all over it.I think you are focussing on one issue and make it general without knowing the subject in full.
The current french government is not militant atheist. It is the one which created the muslim council in France.
I am a militant atheist but I'm not the french government.

Sorry I didn't mean to offend you!!!
Sorry if that was not clear but I was not offended at all, I merely responded to your question.
I sound rude because I don't master the language, but I don't want to. I wasn't offended at all.

Two of my least favourite attributes of the French, and what i feel to be the reason) are as follows:

1) Their arrogance- because they have such a conditioned and largely 'perfect' language (which i love :D ) and they keep their environments mostly manicured and immaculate, the French have instilled in them this sense of superiority

2) They are generally unwelcoming and hostile to strangers- i think that this is due to their ideas of privacy which are completely different to the US/Uk

I think you are focussing on one issue and make it general without knowing the subject in full.
The current french government is not militant atheist. It is the one which created the muslim council in France.
I am a militant atheist but I'm not the french government.

The general society (as it has been described to me) feels that, should you wear a cross around your neck and never mention it, it is somehow "forcing your religion upon others" and is offensive. I have heard of foreign students being asked to either hide or not wear their necklaces even in university. This is clearly militant atheism, or severe overreaction.

1) Their arrogance- because they have such a conditioned and largely 'perfect' language (which i love :D ) and they keep their environments mostly manicured and immaculate, the French have instilled in them this sense of superiority100% agree. French people are generally arrogant and they generally think they are superior.

2) They are generally unwelcoming and hostile to strangers- i think that this is due to their ideas of privacy which are completely different to the US/Uk
That's not true. They are hostile to UK/US but not to any stranger.
UK obviously because of history (keep in mind that the UK people generally don't like french people either).
US because they have the same culture as the UK.

The general society (as it has been described to me) feels that, should you wear a cross around your neck and never mention it, it is somehow "forcing your religion upon others" and is offensive. I have heard of foreign students being asked to either hide or not wear their necklaces even in university. This is clearly militant atheism, or severe overreaction.
This is not true. In university it is perfectly acceptable to wear the cross. There was several head-scarved girls in my university. There are even islamist and christian parties in politics and they are perfectly acceptable and accepted.

This is not true. In university it is perfectly acceptable to wear the cross. There was several head-scarved girls in my university.

And do you know for a fact that they were not asked to remove them?

Was there no one who felt somehow offended by their dress?

And do you know for a fact that they were not asked to remove them?

Was there no one who felt somehow offended by their dress?But then it was not the government.
It was people expressing their mind (free speech).

But then it was not the government.
It was people expressing their mind (free speech).

The government espouses these views and instills them into the society.

Also, do the people not take part in the government in France?

That's not true. They are hostile to UK/US but not to any stranger.
UK obviously because of history (keep in mind that the UK people generally don't like french people either).
US because they have the same culture as the UK.

I'm not convinced by that. British people are just as likely to feel closer to Europe as they are closer to the US. We generally have a very positive view of the French. But, as with anything else, the people with negative views shout louder than everyone else. And for the same reason I find that most people in France are perfectly friendly to us Brits, and they are very similar to us in their attitude to outsiders. By that I mean that they are perfectly friendly, but don't get overexcited about meeting outsiders.

Trying to put an opinion of a country as a whole is impossible. As a people they have good and bad. As a government they have done good and bad. Trying to lump them together as homogeneous group is unfair, however I will give my general impressions:

I apreciate the government concern for social issues as much as I decry them for such excesses as the headscarves legislation. I feel that they have generally lately been a positive voice on the world stage as much as I can decry some actions (Rainbow Warrior, De GAulle messing with Canadianpolitics, some of the African deployments etc.).

On the whole though, they are a people who truly do have their priorities straight. That life is to be lived and enjoyed. That good food, good wine, and good conversation are the staples of life. That art should be nurtured for the positive impact that it has on people. That time should be spent with the family on long vacations and through long meals. In that regard, they have a far better grasp of family vaues than the average north american who uses that term as a slogan.

Then again, retailers and service staff in Paris don't have the reputation for being rude and providing of poor service for no reason. However, in that regard most North American's rarely catch on to the required social etiquette. A brusque "Do you know where...." to a stranger is considered rude. Taking that extra moment to say hello and introduce yourself first is the missing element most times. That is another function of the French desire for civility.

One thing I will say though - France has gone downhill over the past few decades. Many of the cafe's in Paris were gone last time I was there as people have adopted more of a North American work ethic. I'm sure that it has done wonders for productivity, but I missed the long lunch on a terrace with a nice bottle of wine.

Hey, I learnt the language. For me to do that, I must think France isn't all bad ;)

The government espouses these views and instills them into the society.

Also, do the people not take part in the government in France?That's not true. The current government has created the muslim council and has invests heavily to fight hate against religion. The current government actually shares power with the UDF, which is a christian party.

We kicked their but medieval way :D

That's not true. The current government has created the muslim council and has invests heavily to fight hate against religion. The current government actually shares power with the UDF, which is a christian party.

*shrug* Those I have spoken to must have just had a bad experience.

*shrug* Those I have spoken to must have just had a bad experience.
I think so. And I'm not defending France at all, believe me. I hate the current government. I hate their nuclear tests in the pacific. Chirac is corrupt and should be in jail right now. And don't get me started with De Gaulle. France pretty much sucks.
But frankly, I don't understand the world hysteria over the religious symbols in school. In France most people undertand and agree with it (including muslims) and the government is generally seen as nice with religions. It's no different than political symbols or arverts.

The French Rock bigly! When I was there some of them were a wee bit cool until they realised I was Scottish and not English (apparently there's a wee problem betwixt the French and English), once they knew that it was smiles all the way, free beer, free ice cream for the bairns and a great time was had by all :)

I have t osay I do hold a bit of hostility towards the French, I talked to a group of french people on line and when I told them that Im in the american military they called me a terrorist, they continued to do so even after I explained that I am a medic. So I hold little to no respect for them. Except the Foreign Legion because they kick ass

France ruined the English language by introducing silent letters. Their advantage is that they live in the same area as the Celtic Gauls. The downside to this is that they're descended form Romans, not Celts...

First, I hate French food. It's not that it doesn't taste good, but that it just doesn't fill me up properly. I hate wine, but I like champagne. And I don't have any problems with French women, as long as they shave (and not just the armpits).

The French?

Meh. I met good ones and I met bad ones.

They are decent as much as anybody else.

Well maybe excluding the Parisians! ;)

French are sexy. They make good wine. Some really good cheese also.

The wine is over priced or vulgar or both.

There was this french girl studying with me, last year..

Damn, she was hot..hohohohoohoh!

How comes the french always export the crap wine?

(It tastes so much better there).

How comes the french always export the crap wine?

(It tastes so much better there).

Probably because people are dumb enough to buy it! ;)

"You know this wine comes from France?" ;)

Probably because people are dumb enough to buy it! ;)

"You know this wine comes from France?" ;)


No, Ive had wine in france, then bought the exact same wine here in new york, and the difference is marked.

I swear they tip aftershave or something into the wine for export.

i'm studying there right now, at this very computer

No, Ive had wine in france, then bought the exact same wine here in new york, and the difference is marked.

I swear they tip aftershave or something into the wine for export.

Ahh by you like wine and can not the differences.

How many times have you seen people order and expensive bottle of wine because it must be good to cost that much?

Considering current events they probably toss aftershave and a few other things if they know its going to the US. ;)

Few people can tell the difference between a good bottle and an ok bottle.....

you've got to love the language... it makes swearing so fun.

I like France.

Here is my slightly wierd resoning for my opinion:
Johnny Depp lives in France therefore France must be cool
My brother's girlfriend is an exchange student in France therefore France must be cool.
One of my friends wants to go to France and pelt the Eiffel (sp?) Tower with French pastries therefore France must be cool.
On of my favorite phrases is French therefor France must be cool.
The Frenchman in Monty Python and the Holy Grail has an outragous accent therefor France must be cool.

As you see I have a very wierd mind. I actually have some more logical reasons for liking France but they've pretty much all been stated so I decided to share my silly reasons for liking France.

France ruined the English language by introducing silent letters. Their advantage is that they live in the same area as the Celtic Gauls. The downside to this is that they're descended form Romans, not Celts...
they're more descended from the celts than people realise. just like the english.

plus you've got assorted germanic tribes in there too.

you've got to love the language... it makes swearing so fun.
Tu as une tête de con! Enculé! Baiser mon cul!

You're right :D

Only the French could spend 20 years building a massive fortification and then watch helplessly as their dreaded enemy simply goes around it. That little incident has made the French the butt of many jokes around school...many of them initiated by me.

The French are to Europe what the Northeast is to America: A bunch of know it all snobs who think they're better than everybody else. Also, they smell bad. Here's a nice summary of French military adventures:Look here (http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/text/france.html)

Only the French could spend 20 years building a massive fortification and then watch helplessly as their dreaded enemy simply goes around it. That little incident has made the French the butt of many jokes around school...many of them initiated by me.

*Sigh* Not even the British expected that the Germans would violate Belgian neutrality a second time.

However- there was a plan suggested to extend the Maginot line, which fell flat because of Dutch and Belgian protests. The reasoning? If the French extended that line, it would show that the Allies had no intention of protecting those nations and given additional force to the already powerful fascist movements in those countries, possibly resulting in them aligning with the axis. Yes, it may be ha-ha funny, but if you look at history, perhaps it wasn't as stupid as it seemed.

The French are to Europe what the Northeast is to America: A bunch of know it all snobs who think they're better than everybody else. Also, they smell bad. Here's a nice summary of French military adventures:Look here

There are Arrogant french, yes. There are also arrogant...well, ANY nationality. They don't smell bad and i'm quite uncertain as to where that idea came from.

You're final comment reeks of:

"HA, USA strong! USA SMASH!! USA SMASH THOSE NOT STONG AS ME!!! RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! USA THE BEST!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! USA hungry." The French did most of the fighting out of the Allies in WW1, and inflicted (and received) the most losses, believe it or not.

I'm part French myself, so I don't mind the French, I just like making fun of them. What I was referring to in the above post was their failure to fortify the Ardennes, not Belgium.

"Hey, do you think we should build our wall in front of this big-ass forest?"

"...Nah, too expensive. Le mighty trees will save us! Ho ho!"

Also, I've glanced through French history, and I've yet to find a single war that France won on its own. The closest they came was the Napoleanic Wars, but as I lump all those into 1 war, they end up losing there too.

We all know what we English think of the French... ;)

But really, I'm quite inclined to like France:
- I speak the language (if not fluently, then well enough I hope!)
- I love their cheeses and their meats
- I love some of the Alsatian wines
- Booze cruising is a lot of fun
- I'm an Arsenal fan :D
- And some of the women... oh! Heavenly! And often topless on beaches!
- And their history is well wicked.

there is only ONE thing i really dont like about the french

they have the best food on earth and they arent fat from eating it

that really pisses me off

Being an American, I hate the French with every pound (excuse me, kilogram, even though grams don't measure weight :rolleyes: ) of my body. (And trust me, there are a lot.) As to why I hate the French, I suppose it's because they hate me. Well...most of them. But the ones that don't are usually crazy.

I don't have a strong opinion on France itself, though. It's just a piece of land and it's never done anything to provoke my folds of blubber.

I've noticed most people who ate France no nothing about it.

Fuck the war on terror and the war on drugs-we need a war on ignorance.

Paris. Have you been to Paris? If not, go to Paris. If you've been, go again. It is a great place.

PS: The French are good at football (soccer) which in my book counts for a lot. LOL.

What a bunch of racsist pricks. How can you just say "What do think of the French" Half of you retards have never met a French person, so how are you so god damn prepared to judge every single one of them. Man no wonder people hate America/Americans.

Paris. Have you been to Paris? If not, go to Paris. If you've been, go again. It is a great place.

PS: The French are good at football (soccer) which in my book counts for a lot. LOL.

You trying to say the Parisians have gone polite, friendly and helpful?

I have a few recent French transplants that might argue with you over that. ;)

Until a few years ago, I thought I was french, as well.
After all, I live in the most beautiful country in the world : The french riviera, which is 5 minutes from the beach, 1 hour from the skiing resorts, it's somewhat warm and very sunny as I write, here, "cheap ten-dollar bottles" are considered "middle-range expensive and good enough to bring to a formal dinner" wine, and the ladies are really beautiful.

Now, I have good reason to think that I live in the islamist republic of chirakistan. The ban on headscarves is because the arab population in france exceeds 10%. And most of them, after three generations, still refuse to accept european values. The point is, if you want to humiliate your women in public, go back to do it in your stone-age country! We see a lot of burka-wearing women in France (damn, that number has raised exponentially over the last three years!), but if a jew dares wear anything that will betray his religion, he will certainly be attacked in the streets (that's happened to almost every jew I know, including myself). The french "justice" system is probably the slowest one in the world. It is regularly fined by the international court, but that doesn't stop it from being a slow, slow machine full of inconsistencies. The prisons are full, which means that petty criminals get to break the law about ten times in Paris before they get to even meet the judge. Other than that, the police can only apprehend them, and release them the next morning.

Many people talk about Paris. Paris is the most beautiful city in the world, but it won't last! Look at Marseille, today! It makes Fallujah and Tijuana look like Monte-Carlo in comparison!

The french are arrogant. One funny thing is, they talk, and talk a lot about how french culture is superior to american "coca-cola and hamburgers" (because everyone knows that's the main course for every american meal!), but most of them have never even read Voltaire, Montesquieu, or any of our philosophers, and forgot why they can choose to speak german instead of being forced to.

France is a dying country. Its pro-arab politics will only result in one thing, its jews fleeing this hellhole of a country because it's infested with an islamist, anti-semite plague.

So now, I am more of a french-speaking jew suffering dhimmitude.

It's pretty sad, but it's the truth.

G.d bless the USA. Next time, please liberate only the concentration camps and leave the french in their own shit. They deserve it, and are willing to goosestep with anyone who speaks german or arab anyways.