NationStates Jolt Archive

Thomas Jefferson said, “Every man has two countries; his own and France.”

From what I can tell the reason some Americans pretend to “hate” France so much is that the French seem to have the annoying habit of looking out for their own interests first, the interests of Europe second, with American interests fitting in, well…wherever.

Why do we expect France to act in a docile, fawning, subservient manner when Americans would rise up and overthrow any American president who acted that way toward another country? The French are an independent people and their government exists to serve the French people not American interests.

How many of you “France Haters” have actually been to France or even know anything about French culture?

Maybe we are just jealous because culturally the U.S. can’t hold a candle to France?

Well, I love French. But then again, I'm German.

There's a cute French Erasmus student in my faculty, this semester...

I gotta check if she shaves her armpits..

Every man has two countries; his own and France.
Roffle

Do you love France?
France loves you.
Let France into your heart, and your life will be filled with joy!

...I think.

I love France. But I'm a socialist Brit, opposed to the bush administration, so I hardly count. :)

I'm not really a France hater, but I certainly do have some negative feelings about the people and culture. BTW, I have relatives there and have visited twice.

Given the choice between France and the US, I'd choose France. At least they don't pretend to be in it for anyone else - they always admit to acting out of self-interest.

I love France. They were the best friends a guy could have. BTW- This is Saddam Hussein typing to you from some dank prison cell.

Given the choice between France and the US, I'd choose France. At least they don't pretend to be in it for anyone else - they always admit to acting out of self-interest
Plus the womans are much more sexy.

Plus the womans are much more sexy.


The ones that shave their armpits, you mean ~.~

I love France. They were the best friends a guy could have. BTW- This is Saddam Hussein typing to you from some dank prison cell.

Um, the US was his best friend too a lot longer than France...

The ones that shave their armpits, you mean ~.~

Yes, most French women.

The ones that shave their armpits, you mean ~.~
I'm much more interested in checking if they shave another certain region of their bodies.

I like France, love is too strong a word.

Um, the US was his best friend too a lot longer than France...
Only WMDs that Hussein ever had, Daddy Bush gave to him.
Also, most of the negative stereotypes around the French is really just the parisians. And frankly, how would you feel if every year literally millions of tourists slowly chipped away at your culture?

I love France. They were the best friends a guy could have. BTW- This is Saddam Hussein typing to you from some dank prison cell.
Really? I guess you have broken up with your other best friend, the Americans of the Reagan and Bush I administrations (including Cheney and Rumsfeld) who supplied you with so many of your weapons?

Breaks your heart to be spurned like that doesn't it. The US supports you and then dumps you for a new dictator, like General Musharraf of Pakistan. Of course you all know that the US is just teasing you. He will never leave his true love - the Saudi royal family.

Um, the US was his best friend too a lot longer than France...
Yes, but they turned on me. The French stuck by me through all the murders and rapes. Thankyou, Jacques Chirac.

I don't like the French.

They set off Nuclear Bombs in the south pacific during the 90s, this really got Australians pissed off, still don't trust them.

I do respect their we are French and F**K the rest of the world attitude.

At times however, this attitude gets them in the shit - selling weapons to countries they shouldn't etc.

Yes, but they turned on me. The French stuck by me through all the murders and rapes. Thankyou, Jacques Chirac.

The US stood by him through the murders and rapes too. It was only when the puppet cut its strings that the US stopped supporting its friend.

I Am English - So Naturally I Don't Like The French. But The French Have Still Got More Culture And Display More International Responsibility In One French Toe-nail Than In All The People In The Whole Of The U.s.
I Used To Say That The American Peolpe Are Ok, It Is Just The Government And The System That I Dislike. Over The Last Three And A Half Years The American Peolpe Have Showed The World How Ignorant And Selfish They Really Are. They Believe They Can Impose Their Way Of Life Onto Any Country They Decide. There Is More Than One Correct Way Of Life.
P.s. I Don't Like The French.

For one thing, the French are sore losers. Lance Armstrong has won the TDF 6 times in a row, and their press is still trying to say he's doped up. Get over it France.

How many of you “France Haters” have actually been to France or even know anything about French culture?
I have. The only thing good about France is that they actually produce quite good candy and a few good dessert wines, but those are overshadowed by the Eiswein that's a hop, skip, and a jump over the border.

For one thing, the French are sore losers. Lance Armstrong has won the TDF 6 times in a row, and their press is still trying to say he's doped up. Get over it France.
"Its Chemotherapy you jackasses"--Robin Williams

Also, he's short a testicle, he's more aerodynamic ^_^

For one thing, the French are sore losers. Lance Armstrong has won the TDF 6 times in a row, and their press is still trying to say he's doped up. Get over it France.
Some crazy bastards have actually brought the matter to court in Italy, even though the TDF officials got nothing, which is notably hard to accomplish.

well im English and i hate France because it hates me :mad:

For one thing, the French are sore losers. Lance Armstrong has won the TDF 6 times in a row, and their press is still trying to say he's doped up. Get over it France.

Really, I read French press daily and such attempts have escaped me. Lance Armstrong really isn't that important outside of the US...

I have. The only thing good about France is that they actually produce quite good candy and a few good dessert wines, but those are overshadowed by the Eiswein that's a hop, skip, and a jump over the border.
They have some pretty good food too. When I was there I used to get these sandwiches that was a French bread with sausages and fries that was then toasted in a waffle iron. They were delicious.

well im English and i hate France because it hates me :mad:
Guess what? The Welsh hate you more.

"Its Chemotherapy you jackasses"--Robin Williams

Also, he's short a testicle, he's more aerodynamic ^_^

I love that DVD.

I like the French, theirs nothing majorly wrong with them.

They have some pretty good food too. When I was there I used to get these sandwiches that was a French bread with sausages and fries that was then toasted in a waffle iron. They were delicious.
We also owe them about half of our language(yay! normans)

Btw, if you're going to say, "no, half our language is latin" before the Normans, our language sounded like drunk german.

Also If it wasn't for France, the US national anthem would still be 'God Save the Queen'

Guess what? The Welsh hate you more.

Don't forget the Irish!

I do love France, but I'm English, not American. I'm also a slightly right-leaning centrist.

Also If it wasn't for France, the US national anthem would still be 'God Save the Queen'
Yes, but that was out of spite for the english, not because they were necessarily good people. Also, they were a monarchy at the time.

I like France, but not its government. (Refusing to attack Iraq was pretty much the only good thing Chirac ever did.)

I have. The only thing good about France is that they actually produce quite good candy and a few good dessert wines, but those are overshadowed by the Eiswein that's a hop, skip, and a jump over the border.
What about their films?

Honestly, do you hate France, or its government?

Yes, but that was out of spite for the english, not because they were necessarily good people.

As opposed to anything the US has done. :rolleyes:

well im English and i hate France because it hates me :mad:
I was in a pub in Carmarthen (Wales) talking to an old gent who told me, "If a Frenchman and an Englishman were both on fire, I'd piss on the Frenchman, but the English can just burn."

Yes, but that was out of spite for the english, not because they were necessarily good people. Also, they were a monarchy at the time.
Which doesn't change the fact that they won your war of independence for you. It doesn't matter much why they did it.

You might actually be surprised folks, but despite all my derision of France, I really don't mind it at all. Even if it does confuse the hell out of me at times...

[j/k]Now if there were only something to do about all those french people...

Which doesn't change the fact that they won your war of independence for you. It doesn't matter much why they did it.
Poland helped too. You forgot Poland and Kasimir Pulaski.

What about their films?

Honestly, do you hate France, or its government?
The only really good french film I've seen would have to be Wasabi, and that was because basically the entire movie was set in Japan. I will admit that quite a few good actors have come out of France, but that's it on the movie front. As for what I hate about it, I really only hate the government. However i don't particlularly find the country itself all that great. There are prettier vistas in Spain and Switzerland. It's sorta meh, although I will admit it's much, much better than the Midwest here in the US.

Yes, but that was out of spite for the english, not because they were necessarily good people. Also, they were a monarchy at the time.
And why did the U.S. enter World War II? Because we were bombed, not to "save" France, as so many people never tire of trying to point out. France had been at war with Germany for oer two years before the U.S. got involved (and had to wait an additional three years for liberation), and then only because Hitler stupidly declared war against America. Otherwise the feeling in the country was such that the US might have only declared war on Japan.

Of course every country acts in their own interest. That is the point. We shouldn't expect France to act otherwise.

And why did the U.S. enter World War II? Because we were bombed, not to "save" France, as so many people never tire of trying to point out. France had been at war with Germany for oer two years before the U.S. got involved (and had to wait an additional three years for liberation), and then only because Hitler stupidly declared war against America. Otherwise the feeling in the country was such that the US might have only declared war on Japan.

Of course every country acts in their own interest. That is the point. We shouldn't expect France to act otherwise.
Of course, had the french government not been so interested in downsizing and politicizing the military with pet generals after WWI then they might not have been taken out at the start of the war. The reason that France continually gets it's ass kicked is not because their soldiers suck, it's because their leadership sucks.

Poland helped too. You forgot Poland and Kasimir Pulaski.

My work is never done. Excuse me. I've got to go sing the praises of Polish sausage in the hot dog thread.

Like France. Prefer Germany.

-An Englishman.-

I like the french and I still get annoyed when americans go all "you suck because you lost wars". It shows the kind of people americans values... (the kind that murders everyone and destroy everything just for plain fun)

You forgot Poland
lol

As for what I hate about it, I really only hate the government.
You're not alone.
The only really good french film I've seen would have to be Wasabi, and that was because basically the entire movie was set in Japan. I will admit that quite a few good actors have come out of France, but that's it on the movie front.
Have you seen Amélie or Delicatessen? How about Diva? La Belle et La Bête? Indochine? I like those.

YOU BET I DO!

Unfortunately I was born in the US, mais JE DEVIENRAI UN CITOYEN FRANCAIS! OUAAAAAAAAIS VIVE LA FRANCE!

(Deutschland und Österreich sind auch ganz toll. ;) )

Have you seen Amélie or Delicatessen? How about Diva? La Belle et La Bête? Indochine? I like those.

Adding to that must-see list: Le Grand Bleu. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095250/)

j'adore le francais.

YOU BET I DO!

Unfortunately I was born in the US, mais JE DEVIENRAI UN CITOYEN FRANCAIS! OUAAAAAAAAIS VIVE LA FRANCE!

(Deutschland und Österreich sind auch ganz toll. ;) )
Thanks for leaving. ;)

Thomas Jefferson said, “Every man has two countries; his own and France.”

From what I can tell the reason some Americans pretend to “hate” France so much is that the French seem to have the annoying habit of looking out for their own interests first, the interests of Europe second, with American interests fitting in, well…wherever.

Why do we expect France to act in a docile, fawning, subservient manner when Americans would rise up and overthrow any American president who acted that way toward another country? The French are an independent people and their government exists to serve the French people not American interests.

How many of you “France Haters” have actually been to France or even know anything about French culture?

Maybe we are just jealous because culturally the U.S. can’t hold a candle to France?

Well, I love French. But then again, I'm German.


WTF? :confused:


:p

Yeah, why do imperialist murderous powers that see the world as their play-thing hate each other so? C'mon guys, realize all that you have in common and crush the world together, just like in the old days.

As I have said before, I have no problems with france. In fact I find their rabid nationlism and anti-anglophone attitude amusing. I've even had a few pleasant vacations there.

Unquestionably, france is a far superior nation to visit than germany. In germany the food is terrible, and it is far more relaxing to be pointedly ignored by the french than to suffer to weeks amidst the german borg-like collective. (Honestly if a country is only going to have one personality, they could pick a better one.)

I also think germany is gearing up for another attempt at global donmination.

At any rate, italy is vastly superior to both france and germany.

Ah! Paris, Paris! So shitty they only named it once. Kidding!

I love the city... but I have to say its service personnel leaves a lot to hope for. Maybe that's why the French are seen as smug..? What comes to the rest of them... they seem to be the cutest people around! The smaller village you visit, the more genuine and warm the people. .This sounds like it could happen anywhere...? Well I guess all the New Yorkers weren't so welcoming at first....

Yea, I love France.

No, I do not like France.
Why the heck should I?
Because, when the US was in civil war, they sent soldiers to try to take over the Mexican government?
Because their irresponsible tactics essentially handed Hitler an extra year?
Because they fought FOR the Hutus in the Rwandan Genocide?
Because they attack governments in the Ivory Coast and are willing to intervene in Togo, but not to install any vestige of democracy, but rather literally to be self-serving?
Because whenever there is a real oppurtinity to install a freedom loving country, France abandons the effort(unless it is Haiti)?
Because they perputually want to be a superpower, yet lack the ability?
Because they believe in a world of strucutred international laws?
Because Jacques Chirac has invaded 3 times as many countries unilaterally as Bush has?


No.
But I don't hate France. They do some good.
I hate Switzerland.

As I have said before, I have no problems with france. In fact I find their rabid nationlism and anti-anglophone attitude amusing. I've even had a few pleasant vacations there.

Unquestionably, france is a far superior nation to visit than germany. In germany the food is terrible, and it is far more relaxing to be pointedly ignored by the french than to suffer to weeks amidst the german borg-like collective. (Honestly if a country is only going to have one personality, they could pick a better one.)

I also think germany is gearing up for another attempt at global donmination.

At any rate, italy is vastly superior to both france and germany.
Yeah, but the Germans know how to make some damn fine automobiles and motorcycles. You can't beat Germany for quality worksmanship.

I know people who've been to France, and their experiences were very negative.

I know people who've been to France, and their experiences were very negative.

I've been to France, and my experience was positive. So HA!

I've been to France, and my experience was positive. So HA!

How were you treated? Where are you from?

A cursory review of French military history reveals the following:
1 - Gallic Wars - Lost. In a war whose ending foreshadows the next 2,000 years of French history, France is conquered by of all things, an Italian.
2 - Hundred Years War - Mostly lost, saved at last by a female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare: "French armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman."
3 - Italian Wars - Lost. France becomes the first and only country to ever lose two wars when fighting Italians.
4 - Wars of Religion - France goes 0-5-4 against the Huguenots.
5 - Thirty Years War - France is technically not a participant but still manages to get invaded. Claims a tie on the basis that eventually the other participants started ignoring her.
6 - War of Devolution - Tied. Frenchmen take to wearing red flowerpots as chapeaux.
7 - The Dutch War - Tied. Dutch farmers and tulip growers are tougher than they look.
8 - War of the Augsburg League/King William's War/French and Indian War - Lost, but claimed as a tie. Three ties in a row induces deluded Francophiles the world over to label the period as the height of French military power.
9 - War of the Spanish Succession - Lost. The War also gave the French their first taste of a Marlborough, which they have loved every since.
10 - American Revolution - In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare; “France only wins when America does most of the fighting."
11 - French Revolution - Won, primarily due the fact that the opponent was also French.
12 - The Napoleonic Wars - Lost. Temporary victories (remember the First Rule!) due to leadership of a Corsican, who ended up being no match for the Russian winter, Prussian grenadiers or a British footwear designer.
13 - The Franco-Prussian War - Lost. For the first, but certainly not the last time, Germany plays the role of drunken frat boy to France’s ugly girl home alone on a Saturday night.
14 - World War I - Invaded, humiliated and on the way to losing, France is saved by the United States. Winds up a tie for les francaise. Thousands of French women find out what it's like to not only sleep with a winner, but one who doesn't call her "Fraulein." Sadly, the American fascination with personal hygiene (a fascination totally foreign to French women) incites widespread use of condoms by American soldiers, thus precluding any improvement in the French bloodline.
15 - World War II - A decisive defeat even by French standards. Hitler and the German Youth spend Christmas time sleeping soundly through the winter, then arouse themselves to conquer France in six weeks. Hitler dances in front of the Eiffel Tower, while the French command staff retreats to Algeria to institute a crash language program to teach French privates how to say "I surrender" in German and French generals to say "We surrender" in German. Conquered French liberated by the United States and Britain just as they finish learning the Horst Wessel Song and some small portion of the German work ethic. De Gaulle of it all...
16 - First Vietnamese war (in Vietnamese circles, known as "the scrimmage", or "the exhibition game" where the varsity squad is kept on the sideline to see how the second string will play) - Lost. French soldiers, fresh off their four year occupation by the Germans, catch a terminal case of Dien Bien Flu.
17 - Algerian rebellion - Lost. First time an Arab army has beaten a Western army since the Crusades, and produces the first rule of modern Islamic warfare: "We can always beat the French." A nice phrase, but it lacks something in originality, since it is also the first rule of warfare for the Italians, Russians, Prussians, Germans, English, Dutch, Spanish, Vietnamese, Native Americans and capitalists.
18 - War on Terrorism - Lost. Incensed at not being included in the original "Axis of Evil," France refuses to participate. When it becomes clear that this is a "no-kidding war," Jacques Chirac looks at his cards and immediately surrenders to that old warhorse, Gerhard Schroeder. For good measure, he also surrenders to five million illegal immigrants from Algeria. The moral of the story is - give thanks to God on high that the French are not helping us!

Don't Remember where I got this???

France is a beautiful country, rolling hills, snowy mountains, gorgeous beaches.
French cuisine is one of the best in the world.
French women are beautiful, sultry and very sexy.
French men are arrogant, smelly, garlic eating grease balls.

I'm off skiing in France in a couple of weeks. Be jealous and don't tell the men what I said about them.

Thomas Jefferson said, “Every man has two countries; his own and France.”

From what I can tell the reason some Americans pretend to “hate” France so much is that the French seem to have the annoying habit of looking out for their own interests first, the interests of Europe second, with American interests fitting in, well…wherever.

Why do we expect France to act in a docile, fawning, subservient manner when Americans would rise up and overthrow any American president who acted that way toward another country? The French are an independent people and their government exists to serve the French people not American interests.

How many of you “France Haters” have actually been to France or even know anything about French culture?

Maybe we are just jealous because culturally the U.S. can’t hold a candle to France?

From what I can tell the reason some Europeans pretend to “hate” America so much is that the Americans seem to have the annoying habit of looking out for their own interests first, the interests of Europe second, with French interests fitting in, well…wherever.

Why do we expect America to act in a docile, fawning, subservient manner when Americans would rise up and overthrow any American president who acted that way toward another country? The Americans are an independent people and their government exists to serve the American people not European or French interests.

How many of you “America Haters” have actually been to America or even know anything about the American military?

Maybe we are just jealous because militarily the EU can’t hold a candle to America?

Oh, and I've been to France more than once - to live there. So I've seen it up close and personal for months on end.

Yeah, I would do France.

Yeah, I would do France.

I did France, and I ended up not liking it. Probably the most unfriendly people I ever met in Europe - and fairly consistent about being unfriendly.

It didn't seem to stem from my being an American (this was in the days long before Bush - I bet they're even more stuffy than they were in the 1980s).

If you can't speak French like a native, they know you're not French. And you won't be welcome.

How were you treated? Where are you from?I know you weren't addressing me, but I'm going to answer your question anyway. I'm an American and when I went to France they treated me with respect. No spitting or calling me a Stupid American. Even when I sheepishly admitted my French wasn't so good. Very unlike the stereotype.

I have great respect for France and the French culture. But their politics of late have annoyed me a bit.

I live on the south coas of England, a mere 22miles form France and I must admit that most people I know don't like the french. it's nothing to do with them persoanlly, or anything to do with their politics - it's just that there is quite a rivilary between the two countries. what ever happens we've gotta bet the frogs!!

on an interesting note, if you do a google search for french military victories, it comes bask asking of you mean french military defeats. thats gotta say something about the country!!!

I did France, and I ended up not liking it. Probably the most unfriendly people I ever met in Europe - and fairly consistent about being unfriendly.

It didn't seem to stem from my being an American (this was in the days long before Bush - I bet they're even more stuffy than they were in the 1980s).

If you can't speak French like a native, they know you're not French. And you won't be welcome.
Well I can understand that if you visited the beatiful southern part, were people are more conservative and often don't like foreigners, but it gets better up north.

Well I can understand that if you visited the beatiful southern part, were people are more conservative and often don't like foreigners, but it geyts better up north.

Nice and Marseilles were a fucking nightmare of rude people. There's a lot of ethnic tension in the south. As an American who has lived through racial tension in the US, I felt that I could walk on a 3 meter thick layer of racial tension that covered the whole south of France.

All i can say is skiing in France sucks, the people have no manners (even compared to the Swiss :eek: at least in the US and Canada people queue for lifts rather than try and beat the crap out of each other to get to the front of the queue like in Europe...) The hotels are crap compared to Austrian and German ones (all concreate blocks and they make you pay for towels and bed sheets as extras in some resorts!!!!) and the ski schools well...they are simply awful...

Went to Paris once...nice enough place assuming the drivers aren't trying to kill you for being a pedestrian! ;)

Guess what? The Welsh hate you more.

Taffy b*stards. Shoulda built a wall not a bridge! :)

From what I can tell the reason some Europeans pretend to “hate” America so much ...


...um.....I like America and i'm English....I don't like the French because they think they are better than anyone else....there's also the whole frogs and snails thing...

....as for the military...i'm thinking Ghurkas, SAS, Marines, blah blah blah...I think we are ok for military...

mmmm...military, France...military IN France...ooooh!

By the way....the British generally don't go for being lumped in with the Europeans.....it's like saying Jamaica is American....I LOVED Jamaica...!

Um...I can see that might be taken the wrong way but...you know...I do like America, I haven't met an American that I haven't liked. Met lots of French though, they all come here on bloody holiday...b*stards

I did France, and I ended up not liking it. Probably the most unfriendly people I ever met in Europe - and fairly consistent about being unfriendly.

It didn't seem to stem from my being an American (this was in the days long before Bush - I bet they're even more stuffy than they were in the 1980s).

If you can't speak French like a native, they know you're not French. And you won't be welcome.

not true at all. i've been in france at least five or six times, the last on my own for the most part. i only have pathetic tourist french - the most i can say is "where is the metro station", in my experience france has about as many unfriendly people as everywhere else in the world! [i.e. not many]

I Had a dream... where I flipped off the french! and just for the french just 'cause I "love" you so much.













:upyours:

By the way....the British generally don't go for being lumped in with the Europeans.....it's like saying Jamaica is American....I LOVED Jamaica...!

Mmh... but Jamaica is America. I mean, look at the map, there's Europe then there's the Atlantic Ocean and then there's the American continent and Jamaica is part of that. Same as the UK is in Europe even if they don't like it.