NationStates Jolt Archive

Seriously... whats up with hating the french. The french rock. They are actually smart, and manage to stay thin with all their good food. Do we hate them because they will not help in the iraq war? Do they owe us something from saving them from the germans? Actually, if that is the stance, we actually repaid them by saving them from the Germans. If one actually looks (don't hurt your feeble minds doing this) back past the dawn of the twentieth century, there was a war called the WAR OF 1812. Before that, in the 18th century, there was a war called the REVOLUTION. Maybe i'm just an idiot for thinking this, but if the french saved the U.S. from the British in both of these wars, why the hell do they owe us anything? Do we owe them anything if they owe us something?

They're "cheese-eating surrender monkeys!" :D

I think it originated with DeGaulle (sp?) who was anti-American after the war and from that it kind of just took off with stereotypes developing on both sides and bad attitudes. It's not purely Americans hating French, there's more than a fair share of Europeans who hated Americans well before 2000.

The French are hated by some Americans because they didn't help us out in Iraq. Other than that, we might just hate them because they're better at cooking then us, in some respects.

I don't hate the French. I don't hate anybody, really. I seriously dislike the Americans who thought it was bloody important to rename french fries "Freedom Fries". That is just so.....corny. Eesh.

But yeah.....great way for our citizens to treat an ally, eh? I guess most of them listened to the Democrats ripping into the French.

If one actually looks (don't hurt your feeble minds doing this) back past the dawn of the twentieth century, there was a war called the WAR OF 1812. Before that, in the 18th century, there was a war called the REVOLUTION.
We helped them in the Napoleonic wars and both World Wars and Vietnam.

We helped them in the Napoleonic wars and both World Wars and Vietnam.

The Napoleonic wars were durring 1812 and our War of 1812 lasted till 1814. A bit of a descrepancy with your reasoning. Not to mention the fact that the french had already pulled out of vietnam long before the Americans led their mistake into there.

Yeah, the US wasnt on very good terms with France pretty much during the Reign of Napoleon I. Little thing called the 'XYZ Affair'. Read up on it.

France is not stupid and they have a military just as strong as any. They bombed the crap out of the Ivory Coast Airforce a few months ago.
America is just hurt for not getting French support for a war built on lies.
Get over it.

The Napoleonic wars were durring 1812 and our War of 1812 lasted till 1814. A bit of a descrepancy with your reasoning. Not to mention the fact that the french had already pulled out of vietnam long before the Americans led their mistake into there.
The Napoleonic wars started in 1805. Learn some history. The 100 Days was in 1812.

Yeah, the US wasnt on very good terms with France pretty much during the Reign of Napoleon I. Little thing called the 'XYZ Affair'. Read up on it.
Americans at large were. The people of the time saw their revolution as the same as ours, and we owed them so we helped them as best we could.

France is not stupid and they have a military just as strong as any. They bombed the crap out of the Ivory Coast Airforce a few months ago.
America is just hurt for not getting French support for a war built on lies.
Get over it.


Ivory Coast?

[/sarcasm]

Americans at large were. The people of the time saw their revolution as the same as ours, and we owed them so we helped them as best we could.

I was more reffering to after the Republic turned into the Empire.

Ivory Coast?

[/sarcasm]
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/africa/01/18/ivorycoast.french.troops.ap/index.html

Im curious as to what made up the Ivory Coast Air Force. Also, Ivory Coastians (for lack of a better term that I know) arn't exactly known for their skill in an aircraft, as Germans and the British are.

We don't like france because we bought tanks from them and they really weren't that great. I mean, who needs a tank with one gear in forward and four in reverse?

Im curious as to what made up the Ivory Coast Air Force. Also, Ivory Coastians (for lack of a better term that I know) arn't exactly known for their skill in an aircraft, as Germans and the British are.
Most likely Russian made aircraft and helicopters.
http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?F=614974&C=mideast

Well, I know that but the French did destroy many warplanes as for Ivory Coast I have no idea.

The Napoleonic wars started in 1805. Learn some history. The 100 Days was in 1812.


Uhhh, for someone who says "learn some history" you sure have your historical facts wrong. The Napoleonic wars started well before 1805. The 100 days were in 1815.

Uhhh, for someone who says "learn some history" you sure have your historical facts wrong. The Napoleonic wars started well before 1805. The 100 days were in 1815.
Sorry, typo on the 1815, and blind guess on the 1805. Point was they were a lot longer than the single year stated by the other poster.

Who is the only western nation to have breached the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?

They bombed the crap out of the Ivory Coast Airforce a few months ago.This isn't a great example. One of those oddball separatists in the Montana mountains could do a number on the Cote D'Ivoire Air Force without too much trouble. They'd probably have enough left over ammo to invade Benin while they were at it. Also, the French have spent a lot of their time down there shooting unarmed civilians. Not the greatest of military policies, and pretty funny (in a sick way) when you consider their continued opposition to the Iraq intervention.

This isn't a great example. One of those oddball separatists in the Montana mountains could do a number on the Cote D'Ivoire Air Force without too much trouble. They'd probably have enough left over ammo to invade Benin while they were at it.

For that matter, they can throw in Togo, too.

They're "cheese-eating surrender monkeys!" :D


thats was funny :p

asn true!
:cool:

France is not stupid and they have a military just as strong as any. They bombed the crap out of the Ivory Coast Airforce a few months ago.
America is just hurt for not getting French support for a war built on lies.
Get over it.


Ok, I about died laughing reading this one. Well for bombing the hell out of the ivory coast af. They get the girly men award. As Arnold would say. Real men fight with the US.
The french stayed out of the Iraq war cause they were going to get caught with the oil for food program, weapons sales, etc etc etc... The Russians, Germans are under that same umbrella. Throw the Chinese in there too.
I am French decendant myself. My grandfather fought as a Free French soldier. I realize now why he never went back to his homeland.
As far as im concerned. I would push for a French free Nato. Instead of calling them allies. I would set US policy on France as nuetral. With a very good eye on there dealings with our enemys.

Who is the only western nation to have breached the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?

I'll give you four options.

1. New Zealand
2. Finland
3. France
4. Ireland

Who is the only western nation to have breached the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty?
ummmm, let me guesss ..... Satan? Oh wait the nob gobbler French?

The Napoleonic wars started in 1805. Learn some history. The 100 Days was in 1812.

First off, (hundred days war?) The hundred years war (I think this is what your reffering to) was durring the 15th century, not the 19th. If there was a "hundred days war," the U.S. couldn't have any impact on the outcome, yet the french were the cause for victory in both the Revolution and the War of 1812
Second off, do you honestly believe that a country as new as the U.S. in 1805 had sufficient military power to actually assist then? The constitution wasn't even ratified until the mid to late 1780's, at least ten years after the revolution. Why would a country of only 20 years have sufficient military and government stability to aid in some overseas conflict? The first American real war fought on foreign soil was the spanish-american war.

First off, (hundred days war?) The hundred years war (I think this is what your reffering to)
More likely he was reffering to the 100 days that Napoleon was in charge when he managed to escape from Elba and return to France.

First off, (hundred days war?) The hundred years war (I think this is what your reffering to) was durring the 15th century, not the 19th. If there was a "hundred days war," the U.S. couldn't have any impact on the outcome, yet the french were the cause for victory in both the Revolution and the War of 1812
Second off, do you honestly believe that a country as new as the U.S. in 1805 had sufficient military power to actually assist then? The constitution wasn't even ratified until the mid to late 1780's, at least ten years after the revolution. Why would a country of only 20 years have sufficient military and government stability to aid in some overseas conflict? The first American real war fought on foreign soil was the spanish-american war.
I'm referring to the 100 Days. It was when Napoloen returned from exile and lost again. The Americans sent over privateers to attack the British ships. They didn't contribute troops, but they did send over their ships. Basically the same as what the French did in 1770's.

ummmm, let me guesss ..... Satan? Oh wait the nob gobbler French?

:D YOU WIN A TOASTER

The only thing the French are happy in attacking are hermit crabs on small islands in the south pacific that can't fight back, a tin pot african airforce that can't fight back and the Rainbow Warrior (name had then confused).

I'm referring to the 100 Days. It was when Napoloen returned from exile and lost again. The Americans sent over privateers to attack the British ships. They didn't contribute troops, but they did send over their ships. Basically the same as what the French did in 1770's.

So I admit I don't know much about (only heard about it just now) the hundred days war. Unfortunately, you're still wrong. The french had more than ships in the Revolution. Their General (not Admiral) was Rouchambough. The french could have used their own ships. What difference did it make if they were ours or theirs?

a tin pot african airforce that can't fight back.
They were able enough to attack the French peacekeepers first.

which is a joke in itself

We don't like france because we bought tanks from them and they really weren't that great. I mean, who needs a tank with one gear in forward and four in reverse?
*Chuckle* :D

I'm referring to the 100 Days. It was when Napoloen returned from exile and lost again. The Americans sent over privateers to attack the British ships. They didn't contribute troops, but they did send over their ships. Basically the same as what the French did in 1770's.
The Americans didn't send privateers to help Napoleon.

They're "cheese-eating surrender monkeys!" :D
Yeah. That pretty much covers it. :D

1. With the exception of the few city-states still in existance they have the worst militray record ever, I mean the Jews won more wars than them and look at the bible, the Jews were terrible fighters.

2. Parisians (People from Paris) are some of the most stuck up and mean people in the world, trust me, I have been there.

3. Americans and other warmongering UN nations see France as being noncommitive


I may add more later when I'm more awake but these will have to do for now.

The Americans didn't send privateers to help Napoleon.
Yes they did. And some Americans volunteered to fight in the French army.

Please do not use this thread as an excuse to tell retarded jokes

Yeah, the US wasnt on very good terms with France pretty much during the Reign of Napoleon I. Little thing called the 'XYZ Affair'. Read up on it.

If you read up on it you might find out that the XYZ Affair happened before Napoleon's Reign :) . It was during the Directory.

Another (relatively) recent source of annoyance was the refusal by France to allow US fighter jets the use of French airspace on our way to bomb Quadafi in Libya, which was mainly done as retribution for their involvement in the Lockerbie, Scotland plane bombing.

Please do not use this thread as an excuse to tell retarded jokes

bahhh... Cheese eating surrender monkey

Yes they did. And some Americans volunteered to fight in the French army.
The privateers were fighting the British cause of the war of 1812. And the fact that the Royal Navy was pre occupied with France at the time. Which lasted nearly two and a half years. It had nothing to do with the Americans wanting to help out Napoleon.

Yes they did. And some Americans volunteered to fight in the French army.

If we were really helping the french, we would have sent an army under our command. This only demonstrates the gratitude of the citizens but a formal army wasn't possible in the states because there barely was one. When the brits attacked in 1812, america would have been theirs again within weeks. You can thank the french that we're not part of the U.K. As for the american volunteers, they probably had minimal (if any at all) impact on any of the battles.

France doesn't suck. Some French people suck, namely the rude waiter. But by and far, most French people are just as annoying as anyone else.

The privateers were fighting the British cause of the war of 1812. And the fact that the Royal Navy was pre occupied with France at the time. Which lasted nearly two and a half years. It had nothing to do with the Americans wanting to help out Napoleon.
The ships were there before 1812. My great something grandfather was on one of them. Most of my ancestors fought in France at some point in their lives.

They were able enough to attack the French peacekeepers first.

Peace Keepers are useless. They have highly limmited value as their rules of engagement are too restrictive to make them useful in a civil war situation.

Peace Enforcers on the other hand can enforce the peace.

Mirage 2000s Vs Sabres = Mirage WINS!!!

Peace Keepers are useless. They have highly limmited value as their rules of engagement are too restrictive to make them useful in a civil war situation.

Peace Enforcers on the other hand can enforce the peace.

Mirage 2000s Vs Sabres = Mirage WINS!!!
Fact remains that the French destroyed the ivorian airforce, made in Russia, after they attacked French troops cause they were standing between them and the rebels in the north.

I dislike stereotypes.

I have never met someone from France, and so can not make any judgement on them, for better or for worse. Personally, I think there was a little resentment over the refusal for airspace and the hiccup over Freedom Fries, but honestly, who actually 'hates' or 'dislikes' the French?

Thats like saying we dislike Africans. Personally, I don't Americans as a whole hold a personal grudge against France. Now, political alliances may shift with time, but that is unescapable.

2. Parisians (People from Paris) are some of the most stuck up and mean people in the world, trust me, I have been there.


Maybe they just acted like that towards you. ;)


I'm referring to the 100 Days. It was when Napoloen returned from exile and lost again. The Americans sent over privateers to attack the British ships. They didn't contribute troops, but they did send over their ships. Basically the same as what the French did in 1770's.

The Americans didn't send privateers to help Napoleon.

The greatest help came in financing. The Lousiana Purchase was a way that Napoleon got rid of land he could no longer hold, and the US could fund the French War Machine against Britain, without being suspected

Let's look at why people all over the world should hate the french...

Well, even if America did invade poor defenseless Iraq (and I mean that sincerely), France has perfected the abuse of foreign nations and it's own people over the centuries it has slithered through history.

Foreign nations? In Northern Africa and Southeast Asia countless millions suffer and die for overwhelming French greed for empire. Frances pathetic attempt to dominate North America resulted in three outcomes:

1. The french draw the natives into imperial european wars and began (yes the FRENCH) the trade in scalps.
2. The french get kicked out of Canada and give away huge swath of North America for a couple of bucks.
3. Yet being typically french, they leave behind their stuck up French Canadians and Cajuns just to annoy the hell out of us.

Currently the French are busy ignoring the problems they left behind in North Africa, but beating up little tiny Air Forces whenever they get the chance. Hypocrites!

The French have always abused their own people. First it was the great King Louis, ignoring the plight of his starving people. Then the french revolt and deciding that the best way to take care of things is the Guillotine - nice move frenchy. The only got rid of the Guillotine about 40 years ago.

These are the people that built the death camps... err, prisons on Devil's Island.

Oh, and let's not forget the fact that they quit and cooperated with Nazi Germany (don't give me crap about La Resistance either - Vichy France was allied with Germany, plain and simple). Then, after the government cooperated with uncle Adolf during the war, the French again turned on their own people and killed thousands of people who cooperated with the Germans - just like their government.

Then France spent the entire cold war acting like a spoiled brat. They want to be part of NATO, but they don't want to contribute troops. They want to be protected by Uncle Sam, but they want to allow communists to run their government. Ugghhh,

Please, anyone who wants to defend France must be nuts. These people make America, England and virtually every other country in the world look like saints.

Oh, and by the way, I've been there and all I can say is - it's a pretty nice country to visit - BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO LIVE THERE!!!

Fact remains that the French destroyed the ivorian airforce, made in Russia, after they attacked French troops cause they were standing between them and the rebels in the north.

Oh and lets not forget the score board.

FRANCE 1 - GREENPEACE NIL

The greatest help came in financing. The Lousiana Purchase was a way that Napoleon got rid of land he could no longer hold, and the US could fund the French War Machine against Britain, without being suspected
He could have held it. If it wasn't for that pesky war. Lucky for the US however he needed money. Cause the idea of a powerfull French empire as a neighbour made the US extremely nervouse. Plus they believed that all the land west of their borders somehow belonged to them anyhow.

He could have held it. If it wasn't for that pesky war. Lucky for the US however he needed money. Cause the idea of a powerfull French empire as a neighbour made the US extremely nervouse. Plus they believed that all the land east of their borders somehow belonged to them anyhow.
The ocean did belong to us.

France doesn't suck. Some French people suck, namely the rude waiter. But by and far, most French people are just as annoying as anyone else.
I despise generalizations of whole groups of people, but must admit it is easier to laugh when it's not the group you are a part of. For example, the many threads characterizing America as evil, arrogant, pick your negative adjective of choice, and the South as stupid, ignorant, intolerant Christian hicks.

The ocean did belong to us.
Yeah...sure....

Yeah...sure....
Just making fun of you confusing east and west.

He could have held it. If it wasn't for that pesky war. Lucky for the US however he needed money. Cause the idea of a powerfull French empire as a neighbour made the US extremely nervouse. Plus they believed that all the land east of their borders somehow belonged to them anyhow.

The only stronghold in the Lousiana was New Orleans and it was controlled by Spain until the last day when it was officially turned over to France then immediately to US. It was undefended and would be easily lost to Britain and Canada in case of a war there. So it was decided that it was better for the French allies in the region to have it.
Both sides profited, as you implied.

They're "cheese-eating surrender monkeys

Everyone rags on the french for surrendering, but if you really look at history and what they were fighting against in WW2, they fared pretty well. ex despite being outnumbered drastically and outperformed, the french air force managed to down a pretty substancial number of luftwaffe planes.

They were pathetic in french indochina in the 50's, but we got our asses kicked in vietnam too.

Just making fun of you confusing east and west.
Seen it. Edit.

Seen it. Edit.
Noticed :)

The only stronghold in the Lousiana was New Orleans and it was controlled by Spain until the last day when it was officially turned over to France then immediately to US. It was undefended and would be easily lost to Britain and Canada in case of a war there. So it was decided that it was better for the French allies in the region to have it.
Both sides profited, as you implied.
They did. But without the war between France and Britain Napoleon could have held it easy. He did had plans for a strong French colonial empire in Louisiana. Not the most appealing scenario for Washington.

If we were really helping the french, we would have sent an army under our command. This only demonstrates the gratitude of the citizens but a formal army wasn't possible in the states because there barely was one. When the brits attacked in 1812, america would have been theirs again within weeks. You can thank the french that we're not part of the U.K. As for the american volunteers, they probably had minimal (if any at all) impact on any of the battles.


Didn't we help in WW2 without sending an army under our command. Heard of the Lend-Lease program? American Privateers were hired to take part in the Napoleonic war. Besides, we cannot thank the french for saving us in 1812, we can blame them for getting us into the war of 1812. The War of 1812 was started because Britain began to capture American ships and sailors in response to the French Continental System. America was one of France's biggest trading partners and the British were using us as a sort of counter to the Continental System. The British were to stop their seize of all American ships and sailors a day before USA STARTED the war of 1812, the British didn't invade us to start the War of 1812. USA declared war. Besides, the war of 1812 lasted longer then Napoleons Fourth Coalition, so Britain did have the chance to strike us at full force. The only reason the British didn't is because of key victories that hampered British movements from Canada in the US.

They did. But without the war between France and Britain Napoleon could have held it easy. He did had plans for a strong French colonial empire in Louisiana.
But there was a war. Do not alter history here. ;)
I understand what you were saying though.

Maybe they just acted like that towards you. ;)

Experiment done by a couple of friends of mine: ask directions to large Paris attractions (Eiffel Tower, etc.). Parameters: male and female asking (eleminates gender) two languages used (English, Polish).

Both are fluent in English and Polish and they walked the streets of Paris asking directions to famous sites in the city. Both of them found that if they started asking directions in Polish, even if they ended up using English eventually, they more often than not got the correct directions. When they started out by asking in English, +50% of the time they were pointed in the wrong direction often the complete opposite from the landmark. That makes me slightly suspicious.

But there was a war. Do not alter history here. ;)
I understand what you were saying though.
Very well then.

Experiment done by a couple of friends of mine: ask directions to large Paris attractions (Eiffel Tower, etc.). Parameters: male and female asking (eleminates gender) two languages used (English, Polish).

Both are fluent in English and Polish and they walked the streets of Paris asking directions to famous sites in the city. Both of them found that if they started asking directions in Polish, even if they ended up using English eventually, they more often than not got the correct directions. When they started out by asking in English, +50% of the time they were pointed in the wrong direction often the complete opposite from the landmark. That makes me slightly suspicious.

That's awesome. My respect for the Parisians just went up.

Edit: I can see why they would do that considering everyone asking them for directions 24/7. I am not sure about the French-Polish relations in history, although the French Prince Henry Valua was elected Polish king at one point. And France fought Britain in every way until the 20th century.

I don't dislike the French for not helping us in Iraq. I dislike them 'cause they've been smuggling arms for the Iraqis. I also think that Jacques Chirac's attitude stinks.

Sure they have surrendered to every invader. Sure they just want to piss off the USA. But there is one reason why France will always be an important nation: Le Vin Rouge!!!

The only stronghold in the Lousiana was New Orleans and it was controlled by Spain until the last day when it was officially turned over to France then immediately to US. It was undefended and would be easily lost to Britain and Canada in case of a war there. So it was decided that it was better for the French allies in the region to have it.
Both sides profited, as you implied.
That's right, New Orleans is a very Spanish name....

That's right, new Orleans is a very Spanish name....

It was founded by the French, but it was controlled by the Spanish at the time.

Seriously... whats up with hating the french. The french rock. They are actually smart, and manage to stay thin with all their good food. Do we hate them because they will not help in the iraq war? Do they owe us something from saving them from the germans? Actually, if that is the stance, we actually repaid them by saving them from the Germans. If one actually looks (don't hurt your feeble minds doing this) back past the dawn of the twentieth century, there was a war called the WAR OF 1812. Before that, in the 18th century, there was a war called the REVOLUTION. Maybe i'm just an idiot for thinking this, but if the french saved the U.S. from the British in both of these wars, why the hell do they owe us anything? Do we owe them anything if they owe us something?

Because in America this (http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=473470&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312) opinion about France, Chirac or any other world leader would not be considered mainstream.

Because the Gauls couldn't freaking stop fighting each other and got conquered by the Romans. The Celtic gods and goddesses have been pissed off ever since.