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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 .
My point is that Orlando, as a city depends on tourism - it's the main source of income. Ok, forget that I said Disney alone, but there's also Universal, MGM, SeaWorld, etc. Orlando is famous across the world for its theme parks and leisure industry, nothing else. Therefore, many French tourists would go to Orlando for that reason alone and I wouldn't have thought that anyone in Orlando would make a French person (or someone from any other nationality) feel unwelcome, because they're bringing in the bucks!
CarolinaJack, I have heard a lot of French people who definitely are strongly opposed to America's foreign policies ( and lack of social benefits which they find shocking, as do I and millions of Europeans agree) but I have hardly ever heard any negative comments about Americans which is a different matter altogether. I think Bush is a moron ,it does not mean I think Americans are morons.
French people actually like and admire Americans, some are less enamoured of certain part of the culture but that's about it.Which part of France did you live in/visit ? Do you speak French ? You might have noticed then than most of our TV is American and that France has embraced a lot of American culture. Because we also want to retain some of our own does not mean we hate you.
As for News and culture the French papers are full of US stories and the media is a lot more balanced than US coverage. There is actually a lot of positive news about the US. ( a lot less since the Iraq war I grant you but then again whose fault is that?).
Which French papers to you read? I am always astonished every time I visit America that the news are all about the USA and there seems to hardly be any interest in the rest of the world unless you read the NY Times or Herald Tribune. You may be a rich nation by the way but almost half of your population can't afford healthcare so I'm not sure those people would consider themselves wealthy! Remember also that your population is 5 times that of France and that France isn't virtually an entire continent! France is the world's 7th biggest economy not bad for a country which gives free access to medical healthcare, free education, maternity leave, generous pensions and paid leave to all its employees. There might be a lot of problems still to be resolved but at least nobody will go destitute because they get sick or parents don't have to spend 18 years saving for their kids college education. Also from a history point of view, you may have saved ou butts during WW2 ( for which the French are still grateful by the way) but without the French you might not have even won the war of Independence. French financial and military help was crucial in the resulting Freedom and democracy which ensued.
I love America but this kind of attitude towards anyone who disagrees with your politics or some aspects of your culture is really tiresome and frankly quite childish. Most of the world now blames Americans and despite having been at the receiving end of what can only be called ignorant xenophobia , I am still trying very hard to tell people that not everyone in the US is the same . Believe me you have far more people to worry about than the French.
well i am an american. i oppose current policies here because we are going broke. i am shockedas well by our lack of health care. did i leave anything out? oh yes,
i also totally agree, the french did save us in the colonial war. no doubt it.
we need to remember. thanks again for the nice statue in nyc harbor. and yes its seems in the last 3 years we have made a lot of new enemies by golly king george has been very busy. sorry about messing up your trade with iraq i know that hit you in the pocket book big time. its tough to be on a budget, we dont know about that here yet but at this rate, its comin. by the way i lived 5 years in paris and speak french--- salut.
well i am an american. i oppose current policies here because we are going broke. i am shockedas well by our lack of health care. did i leave anything out? oh yes,
i also totally agree, the french did save us in the colonial war. no doubt it.
we need to remember. thanks again for the nice statue in nyc harbor. and yes its seems in the last 3 years we have made a lot of new enemies by golly king george has been very busy. sorry about messing up your trade with iraq i know that hit you in the pocket book big time. its tough to be on a budget, we dont know about that here yet but at this rate, its comin. by the way i lived 5 years in paris and speak french--- salut.
stephen s
san diego ca
addendum.
as to george bush invading iraq. yes sorry about that. but, you know they (key figures in the mideast) blew up new york. i know i know we should have turned the other cheek, but
i just dont think president bush was in the mood.
and i know france has handled such things very differently. the german occupation and so forth. but we being americans we just got a different take on stuff. so some of current policies i have not agreed with but cant say that bout everything can i?
stephen s
san diego
I have actually found myself defending Americans to the Brits who really DO have a very arrogant attitude to the US and do not like them very much at all. I have heard so many snide comments about Americans and some really snobby attitude to a country I am extremely fond of.
As for cleanliness , the Brits are far dirtier than the French any day. Believe me I have seen some true horrors in my time... I have been a member of a home exchange organisation for 18 years and British people are the worse.
I'm sure I have now opened up a can of worms but I would really like some input.
I treat everyone on an individual basis, but it's people like you that give the French a bad name. You've just stereotyped the English population, and made out that Brits are anti-American, and this just isn't true; the majority like and respect America, it's people and culture. As for the British being dirty, who are you kidding? Your just ignorant and lets face it, the anti French sentiment stems, rightly or wrongly from the perceived arrogance of the nations people.
I guess one can only express personal experiences. On my first visit to France many, many years ago I thought it was populated with rude people. Then on later visits to both Paris and smaller towns I found it delightful. The people were friendly-even in Paris- and I loved it. I also had a wonderful experience in French-Canada-charming people. Did Paris change?? Or is it possible I did? Did I become more worldly over time and less taken aback by everything? Was my own demeanor or sensitivity different?
I think the "haters" on both sides are responding to stereotypes that have a basis in fact. The French are generally more cultured and a proud people with a sense of history who do have a bit of a problem with the generally more rough-hewn somewhat naive Americans. Americans are kind and eager folks who have a culture based on a nation forged out of a wilderness and wildly defensive of its freedoms and power to survive. America looks ahead and is innovative and loves change. She has given much to the world in treasure and blood and yet the world, though appreciative, doesn't want to be overpowered by this "new kid on the block" who, though quite bright and probably the beacon for the future, really does need to grow up a bit. Feelings are hurt on all sides and it is a shame because many Americans love France as I do and the French have a great sense of appreciation for all America is and has done. Layfayette, the Statute of Liberty, the respect for the cemeteries.
My son said that when he was in France for a while that the French seemed to love America and was told that at one time France called her "the guiding light". Is that true? If so, how sad this silly cultural jousting
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Welcome to City-Data.com forum! Make sure to register - it's free and very quick! You have to register before you can post and participate in our discussions with 700,000 other registered members. User profiles and some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your free account you will be able to customize many options, you will have the full access to over 15,000 posts/day about local topics and you will see fewer ads. 
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