NationStates Jolt Archive

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060520/ts_afp/afplifestylebritainfrancesocietyoffbeat;_ylt=AqS14xbz0aO1N3DE0uKWGRSs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlY wM5NjQ-

French are rudest, most boring people on earth: British poll

Sat May 20, 3:00 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - The French have been voted the world's most unfriendly nation by a landslide in a new British poll published. They were also voted the most boring and most ungenerous.

A decisive 46 percent of the 6,000 people surveyed by travellers' website Where Are You Now (WAYN) said the French were the most unfriendly nation people on the planet, British newspapers reported.

The Germans have no to reason to celebrate the damning verdict. They came second on all three counts.

WAYN's French founder, Jerome Touze, told the papers he had been stunned by the thumping condemnation of his compatriots and sought to blame it on Gallic love-struck sulking.

"I had no idea that the French would emerge as such an unfriendly country," he said.

"I think our romantic 'moodiness' is misunderstood and I will be sure to pass on the message to my family and friends back in France to be a bit more cheerful to tourists in the future."

Italy was voted the world's most cultured nation with the best cuisine, while the United States was named the most unstylish with the worst food.

The British did not feature in the top 10 of any of the categories.

"The British fit in nowhere -- good or bad. It appears that we are so completely average that the voters did not include us in any category," the tabloid Daily Express commented.

"And to our shame, four percent of respondents -- all British of course -- said they would only talk to other Britons when they are abroad."

This unwillingness to talk to the locals appears to go hand in hand with respondents' perceptions of foreigners.

While most said Spain was the foreign country where they would most like to live, they said the Spaniards were nearly as unfriendly and ungenerous as the French.

To add insult to injury, British newspaper The Daily Telegraph put the boot in on Saturday by saying in an editorial that the French stank.

"The French may like to think that Chanel No 5 is their scent but we all know that garlic and stale Gitanes are much more representative."


Brits sure love their Franco-bashing.

the french do have the coolest national anthem though. and they are generous what with the statue of liberty and all. they also have the best monument to war ive seen and its the worlds coolest roundabout

They've been goin' down the drain since Napoleon I abdicated.

Prejudice and stereotyping is ok if it's between white people, right?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060520/ts_afp/afplifestylebritainfrancesocietyoffbeat;_ylt=AqS14xbz0aO1N3DE0uKWGRSs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3ODdxdHBhBHNlY wM5NjQ-

French are rudest, most boring people on earth: British poll

Sat May 20, 3:00 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - The French have been voted the world's most unfriendly nation by a landslide in a new British poll published. They were also voted the most boring and most ungenerous.

A decisive 46 percent of the 6,000 people surveyed by travellers' website Where Are You Now (WAYN) said the French were the most unfriendly nation people on the planet, British newspapers reported.

The Germans have no to reason to celebrate the damning verdict. They came second on all three counts.

WAYN's French founder, Jerome Touze, told the papers he had been stunned by the thumping condemnation of his compatriots and sought to blame it on Gallic love-struck sulking.

"I had no idea that the French would emerge as such an unfriendly country," he said.

"I think our romantic 'moodiness' is misunderstood and I will be sure to pass on the message to my family and friends back in France to be a bit more cheerful to tourists in the future."

Italy was voted the world's most cultured nation with the best cuisine, while the United States was named the most unstylish with the worst food.

The British did not feature in the top 10 of any of the categories.

"The British fit in nowhere -- good or bad. It appears that we are so completely average that the voters did not include us in any category," the tabloid Daily Express commented.

"And to our shame, four percent of respondents -- all British of course -- said they would only talk to other Britons when they are abroad."

This unwillingness to talk to the locals appears to go hand in hand with respondents' perceptions of foreigners.

While most said Spain was the foreign country where they would most like to live, they said the Spaniards were nearly as unfriendly and ungenerous as the French.

To add insult to injury, British newspaper The Daily Telegraph put the boot in on Saturday by saying in an editorial that the French stank.

"The French may like to think that Chanel No 5 is their scent but we all know that garlic and stale Gitanes are much more representative."


Brits sure love their Franco-bashing.

There was an SNL skit about france..whores on every street, an old man selling anti-semitic books, body odor, an old man diddling kids..etc. The title was "Isn't it about time we got back to...[pause] hating the french?"

It's never a bad time to hate the french. Sorry for Dienbinphu though.

Prejudice and stereotyping is ok if it's between white people, right?

Yes, I think that's how it's supposed to work...

Yuck. Disgusting unwashed French :)

Ugh. Ruddy lumpenproletarian neanderthal unrepresentative bastards (the voters in the poll, that is)... tyranny of the majority, I say! Tyranny!:rolleyes:

I prefer French humour about the English really. Sometimes it's super-lame, but other times it's awesome. Go self-deprecation!:D

French...they are gay.

French...they are gay.

If that were true, we wouldn't have one of the highest natatily rate of west european countries ;)

I believe the ecological validility and reliability of this poll is in question.

If that were true, we wouldn't have one of the highest natatily rate of west european countries ;)

They're gay with really crap knowledge of what gay sex entails.

If all Frenchman are gay, then all Americans have below average IQs.

If all Frenchman are gay, then all Americans have below average IQs.

Yup. And they're all fat and not one of them drives anything other than a massive SUV.

The Germans coming second is just a reflection of the British themselves. They're just Germans in denial.

What? We enjoy beating them at world wars too much to be them.:confused:

If that were true, we wouldn't have one of the highest natatily rate of west european countries ;)

The French don't. The immigrants living in France do.

Yup. And they're all fat and not one of them drives anything other than a massive SUV.

And all Brits are dull, tea-drinking, crumpet-eating toffs of whom dress in fine waistcoats and top-hats.

And all Brits are dull, tea-drinking, crumpet-eating toffs of whom dress in fine waistcoats and top-hats.

No. We're all like The Goons. All of us. Specifically Peter Sellers.

The Gate Builders waits for confused remarks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goon_Show

What? All these insults and you've forgotton to mention that they're all surrender monkeys. Stinkin' gay surrender monkeys that is! :rolleyes:

You forgot cheese-eating.

And all Brits are dull, tea-drinking, crumpet-eating toffs of whom dress in fine waistcoats and top-hats.
What's so dull about a stylish gentleman enjoying his crumpets in the morning?

You forgot cheese-eating.
Oh yeah, and how could I forget about the FROGS! Yuk! I'd stick with my crumpets and tea, thank you!

There is no such thing as the Franco-British rivalry, outside of the puerile drivel published by the British media.

However, I do think that the tendency of the British press to insult the French (amongst other Europeans) provides an insight into the cultural insecurity of our own (the British) nation.

As an Englishman, I am an admirer of French culture and my experience of the French themselves is of a courteous and civilised people who are proud of their uniquely French heritage. And there is a great deal to be proud of: the achievements of Ronsard, Corneille, Molière, Racine, Chopin, Debussy et al in the arts are matched by those of Descartes, Galois and Pascal in the sciences. France is clearly one of the great civilisations of the world and it is indefensible to suggest otherwise.

And yet the British media suggest precisely that with disturbing regularity. In contrast to the French concept of pride in their accomplishments, the English are overwhelmingly unfamiliar with their history, are indoctrinated to be ashamed of that little history which is taught and are encouraged to feel that any pride in our nation's achievements is attributable to petty nationalism.

Despite this, the same media which enforce these ideas are those that find it acceptable to insult other Europeans! The contempt for our neighbours that is attributed to "the British" is in fact a property of only a tiny proportion of the population (la canaille!) and of the soulless vermin that infest our media. Any educated Briton worthy of that name is sufficiently secure in his or her own national identity to have a strong respect for the identities of our European neighbours.

There is no such thing as the Franco-British rivalry, outside of the puerile drivel published by the British media.

However, I do think that the tendency of the British press to insult the French (amongst other Europeans) provides an insight into the cultural insecurity of our own (the British) nation.

As an Englishman, I am an admirer of French culture and my experience of the French themselves is of a courteous and civilised people who are proud of their uniquely French heritage. And there is a great deal to be proud of: the achievements of Ronsard, Corneille, Molière, Racine, Chopin, Debussy et al in the arts are matched by those of Descartes, Galois and Pascal in the sciences. France is clearly one of the great civilisations of the world and it is indefensible to suggest otherwise.

And yet the British media suggest precisely that with disturbing regularity. In contrast to the French concept of pride in their accomplishments, the English are overwhelmingly unfamiliar with their history, are indoctrinated to be ashamed of that little history which is taught and are encouraged to feel that any pride in our nation's achievements is attributable to petty nationalism.

Despite this, the same media which enforce these ideas are those that find it acceptable to insult other Europeans! The contempt for our neighbours that is attributed to "the British" is in fact a property of only a tiny proportion of the population (la canaille!) and of the soulless vermin that infest our media. Any educated Briton worthy of that name is sufficiently secure in his or her own national identity to have a strong respect for the identities of our European neighbours.

Well said.

Prejudice and stereotyping is ok if it's between white people, right?

Sure is honkey

As an Englishman, I am an admirer of French culture and my experience of the French themselves is of a courteous and civilised people who are proud of their uniquely French heritage. Blah blah blah...

...and you call yourself an englishman. :rolleyes:

There is no such thing as the Franco-British rivalry, outside of the puerile drivel published by the British media.

Treason! Blaggardry!

There is no such thing as the Franco-British rivalry, outside of the puerile drivel published by the British media.

However, I do think that the tendency of the British press to insult the French (amongst other Europeans) provides an insight into the cultural insecurity of our own (the British) nation.

As an Englishman, I am an admirer of French culture and my experience of the French themselves is of a courteous and civilised people who are proud of their uniquely French heritage. And there is a great deal to be proud of: the achievements of Ronsard, Corneille, Molière, Racine, Chopin, Debussy et al in the arts are matched by those of Descartes, Galois and Pascal in the sciences. France is clearly one of the great civilisations of the world and it is indefensible to suggest otherwise.

And yet the British media suggest precisely that with disturbing regularity. In contrast to the French concept of pride in their accomplishments, the English are overwhelmingly unfamiliar with their history, are indoctrinated to be ashamed of that little history which is taught and are encouraged to feel that any pride in our nation's achievements is attributable to petty nationalism.

Despite this, the same media which enforce these ideas are those that find it acceptable to insult other Europeans! The contempt for our neighbours that is attributed to "the British" is in fact a property of only a tiny proportion of the population (la canaille!) and of the soulless vermin that infest our media. Any educated Briton worthy of that name is sufficiently secure in his or her own national identity to have a strong respect for the identities of our European neighbours.

"Educated" Britons (who typically read the Guardian, attended grammar school, like Tony Blair, spout French to appear enlightened and think European integration is a good thing) are not only loathsome, but are also a tiny minority of Britons in general.

The Franco-British rivalry lives on, but as it embarrasses the chattering classes they pretend it doesn't exist.

To the French, we're "Le perfide Albion" or the "Rossebifs" or the "F***offs"

To us the French are arrogant, rude frogs, who constantly need our help in any armed conflict and start to panic when germany sneezes. And their women don't shave where they should.

To be honest, I don't mind the French, and the ones I've met don't mind us. We both enjoy having a go at each other, and I think deep down respect each other. We're just old rivals who are convinced we are superior than the others.

At least the British-French rivalry has got a bit of precedent to it, unlike the French-US bashing. We've been at war with the french more often than not, and even when we've been allies there have been enough points of contention to keep it ticking over, They mismanaged the combined defence of France in 1940, but we abandoned them at Dunkirk; they collaborated but we sank their ships in harbour, and so on.

We've been at war, on-and-off, with the French for a thousand years or so (winning more than we lost, I think), they even allied with the Scots against us (Not that there isn't plenty of English-Scottish rivalry, too). So we bash them. Or are "supposed" to.

What do the British bring up constantly? World War II and the World Cup of 1966. Why? 'Cos they're about the most recent notable things we've achieved. OK, we defended ourselves in the Falklands in 1981/82 and an ally in the Gulf in 1991, but they're more controversial so less popular to get worked up about.

We don't have any recent achievements to be proud of, so we shout about the things we did in the past and insult the "Frogs", "Krauts", "Wops" or whomever and hope nobody notices...

At least the British-French rivalry has got a bit of precedent to it, unlike the French-US bashing. We've been at war with the french more often than not, and even when we've been allies there have been enough points of contention to keep it ticking over, They mismanaged the combined defence of France in 1940, but we abandoned them at Dunkirk; they collaborated but we sank their ships in harbour, and so on.

Actually, we didn't abandon them at Dunkirk. There's a fascinating article in this month's History Today called 'Paradise After Hell' that details how many French soldiers were saved during the evacuations, how well they were cared for in England for the few days/hours they were there, how much many of them liked it and enjoyed the hospitality, and how they were then returned to fight in France before the surrender.

The 'Betrayal at Dunkirk' myth is just that; a myth, created by German and Vichy French propaganda experts after 1940 to foster anti-British sentiments. Yet to this day it still exists.

Although we did sink their fleet, although that was a neccessary albeit heart-wrenching thing to do.

Oh come on! Who ever got along with their neighbours? ;)

Prejudice and stereotyping is ok if it's between white people, right?

Yup. ;)

Meanwhile, I still consider Anglos and Frogs to resemble eachother as an Ox does an Ox.

Actually, we didn't abandon them at Dunkirk. There's a fascinating article in this month's History Today called 'Paradise After Hell' that details how many French soldiers were saved during the evacuations, how well they were cared for in England for the few days/hours they were there, how much many of them liked it and enjoyed the hospitality, and how they were then returned to fight in France before the surrender.

The 'Betrayal at Dunkirk' myth is just that; a myth, created by German and Vichy French propaganda experts after 1940 to foster anti-British sentiments. Yet to this day it still exists.

Although we did sink their fleet, although that was a neccessary albeit heart-wrenching thing to do.


Just about everything about Dunkirk is a myth!
A defeat dressed up as a victory.
( And without the myth, we might well have collapsed as everyone else did - so I really don't mind the mythology. )

Yup. ;)

Meanwhile, I still consider Anglos and Frogs to resemble eachother as an Ox does an Ox.

Pfft. You whatever you are all look the same to me!

*insert long racist rant*

Pfft. You whatever you are all look the same to me!

*insert long racist rant*

Meh. I suppose there might be racist feelings between Frogs and Bulldogs - but I don't see how it actually matters anything. The whole thing is sightly ridiculous.

Meh. I suppose there might be racist feelings between Frogs and Bulldogs - but I don't see how it actually matters anything. The whole thing is sightly ridiculous.
Yeah, but it's fun to mock people!

As a half-British Frenchman, I always find such silliness amusing. A bit of harmless fun-poking is all right. And people who actually believe in such stereotypes are brainless enough that they're below my contempt, so they don't bother me either.

Yeah, but it's fun to mock people!


May I, pwease?

I bet you still are a Morris-dancer!
Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelled of alderberries!

*Agrees with Arrida*

Prejudice and stereotyping is ok if it's between white people, right?

Are you calling Great Britain and France white? Are you? I am offended and I am going to sit here and wail until you are struck down by words and descried as a horrid racist. You are no credit to your race.

What? All these insults and you've forgotton to mention that they're all surrender monkeys. Stinkin' gay surrender monkeys that is! :rolleyes:
Wait...
Gay + Monkeys = (dramatic pause)
AIDS!

France caused AIDS!

Oh, and whoever said the French national anthem was the best should listen to the Russian one ;)

The Cubans have everyone beaten as far as national anthems are concerned.

The contempt for our neighbours that is attributed to "the British" is in fact a property of only a tiny proportion of the population (la canaille!) and of the soulless vermin that infest our media.


Step outside your ivory tower for a moment Prince Charles and poll your countrymen if you think British contempt for the French is only a tiny "proportion" of the population. You are probably guilty of wishful thinking.

The French arent helping matters much when they demand that you not even reenact Admiral nelson's victories waving proper standards. With enough British denial and French firmness on anything politically correct the French will rename that island you are standing upon West France by the end of the century.

Why is it that when the Scots have a bit of national rivalry with the English (like wanting them to be binned out the World Cup as early as possible) we are called narrow nationalists with a chip on our shoulders and made to feel bad about ourselves, while the frankly xenophobic comments that fairly fly out the mouths of our southern neighbours concerning almost any other nation is seen as somehow "okay"?

Lets add hypocrisy to the traits of the English to be decried.

Back to the point of the thread. The Scots have never had much of a problem with the French. We were even allied to them for centuries. This British/French rivalry is really an English/French rivalry, though I'm not sure the French are as animated about it as the English.

Pffft. Quiet, haggis-lover.

:D

Why is it that when the Scots have a bit of national rivalry with the English (like wanting them to be binned out the World Cup as early as possible) we are called narrow nationalists with a chip on our shoulders and made to feel bad about ourselves, while the frankly xenophobic comments that fairly fly out the mouths of our southern neighbours concerning almost any other nation is seen as somehow "okay"?



On the plus side they cant fly English flags in London without offending the locals. You will always have your saltire.

Originally posted by The Gate Builders
Pffft. Quiet, haggis-lover.
It is tasty :) .

The Germans coming second is just a reflection of the British themselves. They're just Germans in denial.This may be true of the English but I hardly think you can say that about the Scots, Welsh and Irish.

The welsh like making fun of the english awsell (just cos the annexed us), the whole world does

what i reall hate is people refering to England meaning the UK

It is tasty :) .

Mmmmm. Internal organs wrapped in other internal organs.:(

What about French-CANADIANS

Originally posted by The gate Builders
Mmmmm. Internal organs wrapped in other internal organs.
Stop! You're making me hungry ;) .

What about French-CANADIANS

They squabble with Engerlish speaking Canadians. European behavior. Its tradition

Mmmmm. Internal organs wrapped in other internal organs.:(


Mmmmm spiced innards wrapped in innards. I want deep fried haggis.

Why is it that when the Scots have a bit of national rivalry with the English (like wanting them to be binned out the World Cup as early as possible) we are called narrow nationalists with a chip on our shoulders and made to feel bad about ourselves, while the frankly xenophobic comments that fairly fly out the mouths of our southern neighbours concerning almost any other nation is seen as somehow "okay"?

Lets add hypocrisy to the traits of the English to be decried.

Back to the point of the thread. The Scots have never had much of a problem with the French. We were even allied to them for centuries. This British/French rivalry is really an English/French rivalry, though I'm not sure the French are as animated about it as the English.That's true, it was known as the "Auld Alliance" in Scotland. Both France and Scotland historically had a natural enemy...England.

Anyway, with my "chip on my shoulder", I shall of course be supporting any team that plays England in the World Cup.
:D

What i really enjoyed is watching the celerbrations in London after we got the 2012 olympics and comparing it with the French when they learnt they had lost to us!
*chuckles to himself and dwells on happy memory*

Mmmmm. Internal organs wrapped in other internal organs.:(
Are you going to finish that? No point in tasty goodies going to waste...

What i really enjoyed is watching the celerbrations in London after we got the 2012 olympics and comparing it with the French when they learnt they had lost to us!
*chuckles to himself and dwells on happy memory*

We didn't really get much of a chance to celebrate that. Not getting the Olympics, but beating the French. :)

That's true, it was known as the "Auld Alliance" in Scotland. Both France and Scotland historically had a natural enemy...England.

Anyway, with my "chip on my shoulder", I shall of course be supporting any teram that plays England in the World Cup.
:D

You want to borrow my handy dandy Paraguayan phrasebook of curses?

We didn't really get much of a chance to celebrate that. Not getting the Olympics, but beating the French. :)

And i think the London bombings the day after dampened the mood slightly
But even so keep the stiff upper lip up!

Absolutely. Don't let their bombs upset our bowler hats and umbrellas.

Absolutely. Don't let their bombs upset our bowler hats and umbrellas.

and the cricket! the ashes were about then i believe

We didn't really get much of a chance to celebrate that. Not getting the Olympics, but beating the French. :)
No, but it was fun while it lasted. I particularly enjoyed the audible moan from the entire French crowd when the result came up on the screen.

As an Englishman, I am an admirer of French culture and my experience of the French themselves is of a courteous and civilised people who are proud of their uniquely French heritage. And there is a great deal to be proud of: the achievements of Ronsard, Corneille, Molière, Racine, Chopin, Debussy et al in the arts are matched by those of Descartes, Galois and Pascal in the sciences. France is clearly one of the great civilisations of the world and it is indefensible to suggest otherwise.

So true. Debussy and Chopin could kick the Beatles' collective ass.

So true. Debussy and Chopin could kick the Beatles' collective ass.

No. No. No no no.

I'm going to take the position that classical music is stale.

You want to borrow my handy dandy Paraguayan phrasebook of curses?Nah.....have you ever herard a Glaswegian cursing???

Oh, and whoever said the French national anthem was the best should listen to the Russian one ;)

As a Frenchman... I must agree. Our anthem is the third best in the world, behind Russia's and Israel's. ;)

Nah.....have you ever herard a Glaswegian cursing???

I have heard both (Glaswegian and Parguayan) and the Glaswegian loses. (Unbelievable for those that have not heard swearing in Tupi)

Prejudice and stereotyping is ok if it's between white people, right?
Naturally, we are allowed to hate each other.

Brits sure love their Franco-bashing.

In fairness, there was a survey a while back that found that a majority of people in European countries would associate the word "French" with words like "rude" or "arrogant".

Personally, that's why I think the European project will work despite Turkey and Narnia joining. English Christians basically want the same thing as Turkish Muslims: To gather together in a club and slag off the French and Americans.

No. No. No no no.

I'm going to take the position that classical music is stale.

Stale? That's just your memories of music appreciation class talking.:rolleyes:

There is no such thing as the Franco-British rivalry, outside of the puerile drivel published by the British media.

However, I do think that the tendency of the British press to insult the French (amongst other Europeans) provides an insight into the cultural insecurity of our own (the British) nation.

As an Englishman, I am an admirer of French culture and my experience of the French themselves is of a courteous and civilised people who are proud of their uniquely French heritage. And there is a great deal to be proud of: the achievements of Ronsard, Corneille, Molière, Racine, Chopin, Debussy et al in the arts are matched by those of Descartes, Galois and Pascal in the sciences. France is clearly one of the great civilisations of the world and it is indefensible to suggest otherwise.

And yet the British media suggest precisely that with disturbing regularity. In contrast to the French concept of pride in their accomplishments, the English are overwhelmingly unfamiliar with their history, are indoctrinated to be ashamed of that little history which is taught and are encouraged to feel that any pride in our nation's achievements is attributable to petty nationalism.

Despite this, the same media which enforce these ideas are those that find it acceptable to insult other Europeans! The contempt for our neighbours that is attributed to "the British" is in fact a property of only a tiny proportion of the population (la canaille!) and of the soulless vermin that infest our media. Any educated Briton worthy of that name is sufficiently secure in his or her own national identity to have a strong respect for the identities of our European neighbours.Someone hasn't been paying attention to the history of European integration and the current affairs of the EU.

De Gaulle: He say non. Twice. And when the Brits finally did make it into the community they immediately started bitching about the CAP (as De Gaulle predicted), and they still haven't stopped.

Nah.....have you ever herard a Glaswegian cursing???

Yes! Ive good friends who are schemie Weegies.

"Educated" Britons (who typically read the Guardian, attended grammar school, like Tony Blair, spout French to appear enlightened and think European integration is a good thing) are not only loathsome, but are also a tiny minority of Britons in general.

The Franco-British rivalry lives on, but as it embarrasses the chattering classes they pretend it doesn't exist.

Tony Blair is loathsome I agree but went to Fettes, an exclusive public school in Edinburgh. I suspect he reads the Times rather than the Guardian(which is a rubbish paper). I would happily export him to France where his greasyness would be better appreciated.

Someone hasn't been paying attention to the history of European integration and the current affairs of the EU.

De Gaulle: He say non. Twice. And when the Brits finally did make it into the community they immediately started bitching about the CAP (as De Gaulle predicted), and they still haven't stopped.


That needs sigging, for it is a truth that.. certain folks.. try to hide.

lol, prejudice

Times like this I'm glad I'm a bit of both.

How did Australia rate? I'd guess pretty high [unless by world it means Europe]