More France Bashing

[catzenmouse]

Just saw this on Yahoo News and considering the reputation the French have in many Western countries and from my experiences while living in Canada I got a good laugh out of it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A study by the FDS research group reveals that French workers are the world's biggest whiners while the Irish complain least about their lot.(AFP/Illustration)

[Mamma D]

Hay, the French are "The French"......But do not forget, we would not have won our little war the the KING.....without their help!

The French were the ones that told us after WWII, that they did not need our occupation....Didn't go over to well and there are those that still smart from it  .

We have a big job ahead of ourselves repairing OUR image around the world... of being the "School yard bully". If we can't buy them we fight them...

Right or Wrong, this is the perception we see in newspapers around the world.

We seem to forget that others should have their freedom of will and ways ...... even if it is differant than ours.

And the French canadians....Well, we found them delightful.... And the area beautiful.

Mamma D

[catzenmouse]

When I lived in Canada I very much enjoyed most of the time I visited Quebec. The people in the country side and in Quebec City were great. While I lived in Alberta I worked for a company whose head office was in Montreal. Dealing with those people and the treatment that I got from just about everyone in Montreal itself I came to the conclusion that the whiny, arrogant, head stuck up their butt reputation was fully based on Montreal itself. Of course who can forget Pierre Trudeau giving the finger to demonstrators or Rene Levesque and the separatist party attitudes.

Ken

[I/O]

Well, in response partly to the posts above, IMO the cartoon map is pretty close to the mark.  Certainly, I imagine not all French people are this way inclind, but I am yet to meet one that proves the map wrong.

As for the French saying they did not need America's or anyone elses occupation after WWII, quite correct and is quite typical of the attitude I have seen from them.  Attention span of an insect.  They would not even exist if it had not been for the involvement of everyone else trying to dig their sorry arses out of trouble. 

They lasted an entire three days before they were flattened by the German forces.  They are great "Grandstanders" and when push came to shove they couldn't fight their way out of a wet paper packet.

All that aside, the thing that annoys most is their obvious lack of grattitude for assistance given. I've no doubt many of the people are fine, but I've come to have very little respect for the French nation and the attitude it projects.  They are the first to whinge and whine when something doesn't suit them.  The nation now contributes little to the world economy and seems to expect everyone to bow and scrape to them.

IMO a "Lobster" nation, meaning all shell and no guts. As for America needing to tidy up it's international image, this is true to an extent, however when one does travel widely and listen to the opinion of many, America is getting a much worse rap by its own media than in fact it does in much of the rest of the world.  I don't think America does need to do anything out of the ordinary to change the image. Iraq will pass and if America stands it's ground and is consistent, then other matters will pass also with the fullness of time.

Take one look in these wannabe nations when some conflict breaks out, where do you see the people running to? Almost invariably to the USA embassy compounds for protection. You don't too often see kids running to the school yard bully for protection when the schit hits the fan. 

I/O

[BC]

Anybody here ever live in France?  Anyone have good friends there?  Anyone even know WTF they are talking about here?

Until then....

[Rvrwind]

Anybody here ever live in France?  Anyone have good friends there?  Anyone even know WTF they are talking about here?

To answer your question: Yes, no but relatives, sometimes but not always.
Can't speak much about French from France but after living with French Canadians for 50 friggin' yeas you can have every damn one of them. I have never seen a more arrogant, self centered, self idealistic, self grandizing bunch of hypocrites in my entire life. If I had my way we'd put a wall around Queerbec with razor wire along the top & shoot the first SOB that tries to escape.
Being a tourist & visiting Queerbec is one thing, try living next to them & with them for a couple of decades & you'll soon change your opinion of how 'nice' they are!

[ScottinCrimea]

Can anyone name any war that France has ever won?

[SANDRO43]

Can anyone name any war that France has ever won?

The 100 Years War. OK, OK, they were a bit deliberate about it, so what (the 30 and 80 Years Wars were basically a draw, being too fast-paced )?

[wxman]

France seems to being changing colors. They elected a conservative who likes GW, and wants to increase the work week back to 40 hours and rescind the lifetime guarantee of a job.

Interesting that after WWII, the 4 big powers, US, Russia, UK and France really have not been able to win any wars. US has either lost or had stalemate in Korea and Viet Nam, and not looking good in Iraq. Russia had it's mess with Afghanistan, France in Viet Nam, and UK currently in Iraq. Can't count Grenada or Falklands, they were pretty much skirmishes.  Pretty hard nowadays to win any war, which may actually be a good thing.

[Mocking Bird]

As for the French saying they did not need America's or anyone elses occupation after WWII, quite correct and is quite typical of the attitude I have seen from them. 
I/O

They was to far away from Soviet Union. That fact can contribute a lot to bravery.

[El Rock]

Well , come on now  , wars as we have known them .
The conventional  type wars  have evolved into  another  something else  , rather unconventional  , Okay?

France seems to being changing colors. They elected a conservative who likes GW, and wants to increase the work week back to 40 hours and rescind the lifetime guarantee of a job.

Interesting that after WWII, the 4 big powers, US, Russia, UK and France really have not been able to win any wars. US has either lost or had stalemate in Korea and Viet Nam, and not looking good in Iraq. Russia had it's mess with Afghanistan, France in Viet Nam, and UK currently in Iraq. Can't count Grenada or Falklands, they were pretty much skirmishes.  Pretty hard nowadays to win any war, which may actually be a good thing.

[acrzybear]

Official French Army knife

[LTCOLBIEGARD]

    Without France we would not have our system of government as we know it today , nor would we have the language we use-- Sorry folks, english is made up of WHAT language as well?? Many people failed to recognize such.

     And had  our government  not defaulted on loans to France  many many years back--before any world war... Well, France probably wouldn't be so pissed at us. Alot of current hatred towards France comes from their failure to really join us in the current war in Afganistan and Iraq. GO to France and stay one day, and you will know why they really couldn't. Large cities such as Paris are filled with future extreme terrorist whom have immigrated via wars and skirmishes from all over the world. A true Parisian doesn't really care for the new inhabitors nor do they care about us or anyone else. Just like we don't seem to care about them, England, Iran etc., etc., unless our ancestors came from there, and then they are the best damn nation in the world. When you get down to it ,the world is full of us versus them bs...

AS far as winning a war, France dominated almost all of the world at one time- Did we not forget Napoleon ?? We have never and will never have a single ruler with such domination, or power.  IF you want to enter modern times. France has one of the greatest fighting forces in the World. The French Foreign Legion usually enters way before we even wake up to the problem, they usually give us support and they often take the heat first and heaviest because of this. The Legion is in combat areas almost non-stop. Not just when there is a war declared.   If you want to really get to it the French  actively fought In Indochine (Vietnam) a hell of alot longer than we did. With that said, yes France has even lost a War to Green peace. French people do whine, just as your fellow worker does when he doesn't get his Starbucks in the morning, or has to work an hour past 5... We bitch that other countries don't want to work a 40 hour week, then a majority of us spend 2 hours in the morning reading personal email on company time.. or call in sick when we have a slight hangover ( what pu$$ys !! ) Pretty easy to see others as lazy....

If you want to count the wars  that anyone has won  go for it... Ireland?? England?? Austrailans??  JAPAN ?? or  Wait CANADA ??  For the most part them days are over....

AS far as arrogant, Nothing BEATS an AMERICA.. GO any place in the world and you can spot an AMERICAN tourist -- they think they own the world, invented society, can buy everyone and that the world is only created for them.. DOn't get me wrong ,but on the WHole we  AMericans are the most arrogant and ignorant travellers. That is why almost every country hates us. BE thankful for the most part FSU country people treat us pretty good , considering many tourist treat them as if they are below them, village people, and subservant.

     With all that said , tomorrow have a french fry.. served cold on top of your hot dog.....Really our influence not theirs....

[El Rock]

The arrogance of the French is an extension of their world power from the past.

Weren't  they the ones that sunk  their own ship , Green Peace  , back in the 1970s , I slightly remember something about this ., obviously not much of a memory 

[Dan C.]

Greenpeace was protesting French nuclear tests in the South Pacific, and their vessel, which I think was called the Rainbow Warrior, sunk mysteriously.  It turned out that French Intelligence was to blame, which made the French look bad. 

Of course the US too asserts its rights to test nuclear weapons.  Of course we do it in the desert, so we avoid messing with Greenpeace protests boats! 

[El Rock]

About  what year was this ?
Do you remember ?

Greenpeace was protesting French nuclear tests in the South Pacific, and their vessel, which I think was called the Rainbow Warrior, sunk mysteriously.  It turned out that French Intelligence was to blame, which made the French look bad. 

Of course the US too asserts its rights to test nuclear weapons.  Of course we do it in the desert, so we avoid messing with Greenpeace protests boats! 

[Kuna]

One of the big issues with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior was that it was done in a clandestine fashion in Aukland Harbour... thus upsetting Greenpeace AND the New Zealand government.

The Kiwis were opposed to Nuclear testing and as a result of the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior they declared NZ a "Nuclear Free Zone".

 

[LTCOLBIEGARD]

Yes, You can mess with Texas, England or Ireland (defend Ireland).. But, never Greenpeace...Negative publicity wins everytime...

OF Course you better not mess with Texas.....

IF you get on the former rwguide.com forums..

 Many times It is America that is the anti-christ and  the failures  of all  the nations according to some  British members... But then again, most of them claim to be pursuing FSu Women, and in the same breath they also spend all their posts telling elaborate tales of how bad FSU women are...nasty toothed ( yes, from the brits) , uneducated, poor,  scammers-- none of which I have  ever met...

AS Ben Franklin begged FRANCE TO  BE OUR ALLY, ( against the Brits of course ) , even snobby Frenchmen were better than getting along with England....

Everyone/country  has good moments and bad. Even the brits...

[Kuna]

About  what year was this ?
Do you remember ?

1985

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

[BC]

Boy.. such short memories..

The French fought the Germans in what is still considered the greatest battle of all time, 300 days of carnage successfully defending an area of about 6 square miles with a total loss (dead) of well over 300.000 men (possibly more battle deaths than suffered in the US civil war, maybe more than many US wars put together).  Total losses of this battle is estimated at around 700 to 800,000 (includes casualties).

One battle folks..  Ever stand on the tomb of more than 130,000 unknown soldiers?  Ever see bayonets sticking out of the earth knowing a soldier today still holding a rifle in his trench? 

Yes the French are French and proud to be so, but my experience having lived there (as an American) is quite different than is being reported here by those that have never set foot in their country.

Take 'em or leave 'em, that's fine.. I'm sure they do the same.

Wussies?? yeah right..  like I said upthread, most loudmouths here don't have a clue what you are talking about..  LTCBIEGARD is probably the only one here that can name this battle off the top of his head.

Big bark, no bite.  Come back after your history lessons.

[coco]

Yes one trip to Verdun would be quite an experience.

http://www.memorial-de-verdun.fr./

[SANDRO43]

Did we not forget Napoleon ?? We have never and will never have a single ruler with such domination, or power.

Alexander the Great did not perform too badly in this area, as well as Caesar Augustus, Attila, Genghis Khan, Charles V, and a number of others.

Rather than military skills, IMO what the French can be proud of is their contributions to thought and art, which are thankfully longer-lasting and more profound than some acres of territory.   

Incidentally, it is also debatable whether the French Foreign Legion is more French, or Foreign .

[Mir]

As for America needing to tidy up it's international image, this is true to an extent, however when one does travel widely and listen to the opinion of many, America is getting a much worse rap by its own media.........

*Bullshit*

[Mir]

There have been many great conquerors, however Napoleon ranks among the top few and without doubt was a great general. Yes eventually he lost but brilliance and bravery is not always a recipe for success when faced with overwhelming odds.

France has given a lot to this world. The first Crusade was led by mostly French nobles and they managed to establish Crusader kingdoms in the heart of Muslim world. The majority of Templar and Hospitallar knights were from France and Farang (Frank) was synonymous to an Arab with a European enemy. They were respected and feared for their bravery.
As someone wrote France suffered more WW1 casualties on the Western front then any other nation.
The debacle in the Second war may in part be due to the French going soft but the incompetence of French generals was more to blame then a lack of bottle among the solders.
The French resistance suffered horrible repercussions but were not defeated by the Germans.
And we should never forget that the French revolution started the end of absolute monarchy/despotism in the western world. True there were setbacks and Kings/Emperors kept reappearing but the process started led to liberation of the serfs from slavery and eventually the death of absolute monarchy. The Russian army chased Napoleon’s retreating army right to Paris. This exposed the Russian officers to the revolutionary ideas and was directly responsible for the Decembrist movement in Russia.   

[Bluebell]

Rather than military skills, IMO what the French can be proud of is their contributions to thought and art, which are thankfully longer-lasting and more profound than some acres of territory.   

And let's not forget about their cuisine