Why do so many Americans hate French people? (high school, cars)

[Visvaldis]

Ambassadeur hit the nail on the head.
Ignorance and anti-intellectualism are probably the most important factors in hating France, because many can't explain their reasons. And, yes, hating France is fashionable, like getting on the Hate Fance Bandwagon.
Sometimes I often think that the same Americans have little understanding that the rest of the world doesn't hate France.
Also, the American media, which hardly reports anything about the world, except bad things that happen in other countries to make Americans feel good about themselves. One such example was the rioting youths in the greater Paris area. That was a major news story in America's media. But we'll never hear that France has an excellent healthcare system or about why France has a low rate of poverty.
France has been known for many intellectuals over the centuries, but these same people are virtually unknown in America.
I doubt if many Americans know that Louis Braille developed the system for blind people to read. Or, in computer graphic design software, Bezier developed the drawing of curves which are known as Bezier curves.
Maybe I'm biased, but I've been to France several times and enjoyed every visit.

[sberdrow]

in 1986 I went to france while in the Navy. I knew nothing of france except Pepe La Pew catoons on Looney Tunes. The French were very rude to me. I was walking down the street and got egged. I have never wanted to launch eggs at the French. They hate Americans too.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Wow, I've never had anything like that happen to me in France or any other country. Not even close.
But sberdrow, are you being facetious or serious when you mention a stereotyped-filled American cartoon as a resource for learning French culture?

[Mooseketeer]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

in 1986 I went to france while in the Navy. I knew nothing of france except Pepe La Pew catoons on Looney Tunes. The French were very rude to me. I was walking down the street and got egged. I have never wanted to launch eggs at the French. They hate Americans too.

I am really sorry to hear about your experience. Are you sure you weren't victim of a "bizutage" ( college "hazing")? Did the person who egged you, insult you and told you it was because you were American ? Have you really based an opinion of 56 million people on one egging ? I mean I was mugged twice in the US and a chap waved a gun in my face once, I didn't think it was because I was French or that all Americans were muggers and violent thugs.

[hello-world]

Originally Posted by Mooseketeer

I am really sorry to hear about your experience. Are you sure you weren't victim of a "bizutage" ( college "hazing")? Did the person who egged you, insult you and told you it was because you were American ? Have you really based an opinion of 56 million people on one egging ? I mean I was mugged twice in the US and a chap waved a gun in my face once, I didn't think it was because I was French or that all Americans were muggers and violent thugs.

yet, at the same time, it does seem true that americans (depending to some extent on which americans) can have some disdain for other nationalities and ethnicities (again, a function of nationality and ethnicity to some extent), and vice versa, right? and america IS a relatively violent and self-absorbed place in some ways, right? (hence, you might think that a mugging or other maltreatment may be, in some part, attributable to that.) seems there's no secret there... doesn't it seem that, generally, human nature can be a bit "look out for yourself and yours, primarily"? doesn't it seem that ignorance, resentment, and/or selfishness on either side have a bit to do with these things? i've personally found myself in a position that, quite seemingly due to my being american, appeared to be evolving towards a potential mugging if i wasn't careful (i.e., if i didn't keep an eye on how things were evolving and stay in a very public place...sorry for the vague description...).

[Ambassadeur]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

And, yes, hating France is fashionable, like getting on the Hate Fance Bandwagon.

Indeed, and those Americans mindlessly repeat anti-French stereotypes because it gives the appearance that they are cool, cultured and know something about the world. But once you asked them if they have ever been in France or can speak their language, they give you a blank stare or simply shrug.

France has been known for many intellectuals over the centuries, but these same people are virtually unknown in America.
I doubt if many Americans know that Louis Braille developed the system for blind people to read. Or, in computer graphic design software, Bezier developed the drawing of curves which are known as Bezier curves.
Maybe I'm biased, but I've been to France several times and enjoyed every visit.

Anything that isn't "American" is virtually unknown in the United States Though I am a Francophone, I must confess that I had no idea a Frenchman developed the system for blinde people. Again, based on my personal experience, the biggest problem the Americans I met had was their lack of intelectual curiosity or unwillingness to try to understand or pay attention to other cultures. Like you say, France has given birth to numerous intelectuals and has given us countless and arguably the most influential philosophers. And all the French who are educated seemed to be influenced by the philosophies of Rene Descartes, they all had more or less, "l'esprit cartesien".

Do that many French dislike(hate is too strong of a word) the American people or they simply resent the foreign policies set by the representatives the Americans elect? There are nuances between those two things.

[Idunn]

During your visit to San Francisco you may wish to visit some nearby Indian tribes. There are a fair number just north of San Francisco within northern California.

As mentioned, a journey to the American southwest would be fascinating. Should you, I would highly recommend a visit to the Navajo Nation spanning Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Especially the island within it, the land of the Hopi.

It is true that many tribes reserve certain portions of their home only to themselves. But it is also common to welcome visitors to designated public areas within their lands. Those with a sincere interest might begin there and quite possibly journey far beyond.

In many respects these are a land beyond, but a passing semblance to the culture they reside within. If you look you will find an entirely different America.

[Futcha]

Not that I hate the French, but they are unappreciative. We help them from being taken over and they're just thankless.

What I would like to know, also, is why the French hate the Americans. We don't hate you, unless you hate us.

[Mooseketeer]

Originally Posted by FutureCop

Not that I hate the French, but they are unappreciative. We help them from being taken over and they're just thankless.

What I would like to know, also, is why the French hate the Americans. We don't hate you, unless you hate us.

Once again the French DO NOT hate Americans, they actually really like them. They disagree with some American foreign policies and some aspects of the culture but on the whole they do like you guys.

[glxyman21]

Originally Posted by sberdrow

in 1986 I went to france while in the Navy. I knew nothing of france except Pepe La Pew catoons on Looney Tunes. The French were very rude to me. I was walking down the street and got egged. I have never wanted to launch eggs at the French. They hate Americans too.

I disagree with this statement. I have spent much time in France and have found the French people to be very nice. I am Italian, but my english accent is that of an American accent. They were helpful in giving directions and in converstation as well. I have studied French for four years so my conversational/reading skills are decent. Some can be turned off if right away you speak in english, but most I've found were enjoyable. Don't forget, the French Government doesn't always speak for the French people...just like here in the U.S......