Why do so many Americans hate French people? (wealthy, budget)

[Livinginabox]

Originally Posted by Maki-Chan

what are you talking about? I LIVED in orlando, east orlando near UCf about 40 minutes away from Disney i went to high school there etc. I never witnessed any anti french sentiment.

Why would you witness any kind of anti-French sentiment, in Orlando of all places, where tens of thousands of French tourists visit each year? After all, Orlando's Disney is 1,000,000 times better than EuroDisney!

[Moth]

The French are good peeps. If you're in France, make an effort and speak the language, then they'll generally respect you for it, instead of expecting them to speak English. I don't think that the French hate the Americans, or vice-versa. You have to understand that the French have a great deal of national pride, just like Americans do. Get past all that, make an effort to at least try to speak the language and I'll all but guarantee that any American would have a good time visiting France.

I agree as that is my experience as well. I love their country and culture. Some of their policies (not all) through the decades are a different story, but it is usually not my first line of communication. Not that I am able to debate DeGaulle in French.

[dennygomm]

Originally Posted by Mooseketeer

I find that really strange because one of the many things my English ( from Yorkshire ) partner loves about France is how polite people are . You go into a shop anywhere in France and they say Hello and then they always "Goodbye" when you leave even if you haven't bought a thing. He always moans that in England and the US people MIGHT say hello when you come in and don't give a toss when you leave. I am really surprised at your experience and sorry that is what you experienced. France is a lot more formal as a society and that is something I am still trying to adjust to in Britain. In 18 years of living here I am still surprised that nobody brings flowers or presents to dinner parties, nobody sends you thank you cards afterwards, nobody thanks you for wedding presents ,nobody holds the door for you, or says thank you for anything. I have learnt to accept this as just a different way of dealing with things but my partner just seethes...
I was always told in France how polite the Brits were and I just have not found that. I guess we all have bad experiences. The only people i have found who "hate" the French are the Brits and the Americans. I have never encountered any bad feeling from anyone else. And British kids are on the whole really badly behaved compared to French kids too. It's like parents have no control over them and do not use the word "no" ever. Another thing which really puzzles me. They control their parents rather than the other way around and actually chose what they eat ? That is really bizarre to me.

Well the English dont like the french becaue of our history ie we have always been at war with one another. And the only two times we have been Allies they give up at half time so to speak! Not to mention they never surport England in most international issues and after so many hundreds of thousands BRITISH and American died to liberate France & Europe in world war 1 and world war 2 you would think they would be a little greatfull !!!! and most nations feel the French look down their noses at them. This is what most English and British think about the french! But I'm glad you like the French and im sure most of them are nice but its a shame that the ones i have met have a short memory and fail to remember what people like my Grandad went through and the horrors he had to witness to help save the french and the land they call home. I would rather have someone that is willing to risk their life for me like an Amercian or Englishman than a frenchman that open a door or mind's his P's or Q's.

This does not apply the the brave french people during the world wars or the brave men and women or the french resistance!!

It applies to those that have forgot!

[NihonKitty]

Originally Posted by Livinginabox

Why would you witness any kind of anti-French sentiment, in Orlando of all places, where tens of thousands of French tourists visit each year? After all, Orlando's Disney is 1,000,000 times better than EuroDisney!

Disney has nothing whatsoever to do with going to high school. I never even saw one french person while living in Orlando(except myself).A few french people in a disney resort, 40 minutes away that we never even see has nothing to do with orlando natives. Disney is around 40 minute drive from east orlando area, where i lived. Why do people think orlando is only disney? people in orlando go to disney like once every 5 years. I didnt know ignorance exist about your own country's cities too .

[Visvaldis]

Originally Posted by dennygomm

Well the English dont like the french becaue of our history ie we have always been at war with one another. And the only two times we have been Allies they give up at half time so to speak! Not to mention they never surport England in most international issues and after so many hundreds of thousands BRITISH and American died to liberate France & Europe in world war 1 and world war 2 you would think they would be a little greatfull !!!! and most nations feel the French look down their noses at them. This is what most English and British think about the french! But I'm glad you like the French and im sure most of them are nice but its a shame that the ones i have met have a short memory and fail to remember what people like my Grandad went through and the horrors he had to witness to help save the french and the land they call home. I would rather have someone that is willing to risk their life for me like an Amercian or Englishman than a frenchman that open a door or mind's his P's or Q's.

This does not apply the the brave french people during the world wars or the brave men and women or the french resistance!!

It applies to those that have forgot!

Once again, the old, worn out war theme, which has become a cliche.
Many anti-French posters mention the wars constantly, and the lack of the French being grateful...but no one has yet mentioned how the French should behave to demonstrate their gratefulness.

[Moth]

but no one has yet mentioned how the French should behave to demonstrate their gratefulness.

They might cease the "Hyperpower" remark. That would be a start.

[NCN]

Where did you get an idea like that. We love the French people.

[Moth]

They did help us defeat the Redcoats. Lafayette. Now there was a great man.

[northsider]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

Once again, the old, worn out war theme <snip> no one has yet mentioned how the French should behave to demonstrate their gratefulness.

Yes the War. How ill informed so many can be. Why should the French demonstrate gratitude? No one went to war in WW2 to free the French. Then again no one has even mentioned the Free French Forces.

I think it might be an idea to study this site: The History Place - World War Two in Europe Timeline

[topup]

How do the american like chinese?