Why do so many Americans hate French people? (camps, taxi driver)

[cinoeye]

I have noticed that Americans are Francophobs.
I would guess, next to "moslems", French are hi on the list, probably top 3 nations most disliked by the Americans.

I would say Serbs are in top 10.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Originally Posted by Marodi

But they aren't learning english to be considerate. They are learning it because it is the universal language. If we spoke Mayan, and english remained the universal lanuage, they wouldn't go out of their way to learn mayan for the purpose of being courteous. There's a diffrence between learning out of neccessity or to be courteous.

Indeed there is a difference.
But there is a long history of Europeans speaking languages other than that of their own individual countries, and the Belgians I met not long ago spoke English that was a whole lot better than my few pathetic French phrases. Over many years, this has been an experience I've had over and over again, no matter where I am.
BTW
Here is a list of the Most Widely Spoken Languages.
English is the second one.

[Marodi]

Originally Posted by cil

Indeed there is a difference.
But there is a long history of Europeans speaking languages other than that of their own individual countries, and the Belgians I met not long ago spoke English that was a whole lot better than my few pathetic French phrases. Over many years, this has been an experience I've had over and over again, no matter where I am.
BTW
Here is a list of the Most Widely Spoken Languages.
English is the second one.

I took spanish for 2 years and nearly failed my 2nd year, so I have a lot of respect for people that learn a second language. Hell, I failed a year of english in high school (although that has more to do with the teacher than my abilities, although english is why I'm going into engineering)

[elizamary]

I was under the impression the French don't like the Americans! I have been told Americans visiting France were not treated all too nice.
I myself have been to France and was not all that impressed.

[FrenchAmerican0721]

Elizamary, nothing could be farther from the truth. The French love America and American products. The French are crazy about American clothes, food, movies, toys, etc. The French don't like many of the actions of the US government, but they don't hold that against the American people. Most Americans I've talked to actually thought the French were rather friendly and cordial. On the other hand, a lot of times Americans who thought the French were rude, were rude themselves in France. The French are rather formal people, and their very proud of being French like Americans are proud of being Americans. They don't appreciate Americans who come to their country as a loud American with an attitude of superiority.

[hello-world]

Originally Posted by FrenchAmerican0721

Elizamary, nothing could be farther from the truth. The French love America and American products. The French are crazy about American clothes, food, movies, toys, etc. The French don't like many of the actions of the US government, but they don't hold that against the American people. Most Americans I've talked to actually thought the French were rather friendly and cordial. On the other hand, a lot of times Americans who thought the French were rude, were rude themselves in France. The French are rather formal people, and their very proud of being French like Americans are proud of being Americans. They don't appreciate Americans who come to their country as a loud American with an attitude of superiority.

superiority? or ignorance (that might "shed light on" how the US might have the kind of administrators - and foreign policy - it does)? i find that americans have a hard time with being critiqued. anything critical (maybe especially in more "conservative" parts of the country) is shunned rather than discussed, often times. i have found that some of the europeans i've known - french or otherwise, in my limited experience - have (usually politely) somewhat freely shared their views on the good AND the bad, which americans can dislike (ignorance can be bliss, afterall, "so let's talk about LIGHT and superFICial things"). i have found in my limited time in europe that, so long as you're honest about your own culture's "issues", people were pretty honest about theirs; not necessarily so in some (many?) parts of the US. maybe that's what you meant by superiority and leaving it behind...

[Moth]

maybe that's what you meant by superiority and leaving it behind...

I think he meant how some people approach the French. Not using polite terms or making the effort to use at least a few words of the French language.

Richard Belzer had a great bit on it in his HBO special years ago. He summers in France. He joked how you can't go ask a French person for directions in some crazed, hurried manner i.e. like some panic ridden guy looking for a train at Grand Central that is about to leave. He said you have to approch them in a calm and polite manner.

I agree...

[Willys]

It was the 'cold war' and France was the center of intrigue and bad press. It's just gone downhill from there.

I've learned to how to approach the French, in France. And yes, rather than boldly inquire in American English, I politely attempt an inquiry in careful French. The Frenchman, recognizing from my accent that I'm not from Paris, will cautiously ask if I speak English. Ah, relief, the universal communications tool. I reply, timidly in broken English, 'yes, just a little'. Casual conversation ensues and I get what I want.

May the gods bless the French, they need it as much as the US.

[Victoire2002]

Originally Posted by Stonecoldharbours

The only thing I ever heard negative about Americans, from the French, was that we are too fat. I have to agree on that! I don't hate France, and I really doubt most french people hate us! We all have our Country, our own laws and our own values, we can coexist, have been for a long, long time, right?!

LOL. I am laughing because I met a French woman a few years ago who told me "You are pretty thin for an American woman!" ... I thought, Whoa, now, we're not all fat here.

[Victoire2002]

I guess I should chime in here. I am a Texan who is half French Canadian. I learned French as an adult while studying in Paris. I have met a lot of Americans who do maintain the French stereotype in their minds, but I have found that these ones are typically those who have not traveled a lot, nor do they have any friends who are French.

As for the French opinion of us? Well, I have endured my fair share of calculated, and sometimes just plain ignorant comments from French people. While I doubt they are attempting to be rude, some of the statements I have heard truly have made me think that we're more similar than different. For instance, a French friend remarked to me that he was surprised " at how friendly and SMART all the Americans were". To which I must derive that he thought we might all be low class and .... well, not super smart. On the other hand, I have seen Americans do / say things abroad that make me absolutely cringe. And I've witnessed my fair share of ignorant moments with said Americans as well. "Oh, wow, you have microwaves here?"

So, I guess there are Freedom Fries people in France as well, who resist the Pommes Frites at "McDo", fearful the American consumerism might contaminate their lives. I have witnessed some foul misrepresentations of the French here as well, but they've probably been covered in these posts already.

Oh, but I do have one good thing to say about being Texan. I love the responses I got when I announced I was from Texas while in France. I felt so beloved, just by virtue of being a Texan.

Vicki