Why do so many Americans hate French people?

[hello-world]

Originally Posted by Visvaldis

Thanks, Moth,
I did a quick google search of Gehry and Hartley. Maybe I'll rent a DVD of a Hartley film. I appreciate your suggestion. If we were sitting in a bar together I would gladly buy you a snifter of French VSOP cognac.
Are these two people well known? I've never heard of them. My earlier point is that America, like any nation, does have intellectuals, but they remain almost unknown, except to a small handful of people.
I have the great misfortune of living in Louisville, the only things they understand and talk about here are football and basketball. People don't talk about authors, filmmakers, artists, musicians and such. Instead, they discuss quarterbacks and coaches. But I don't think, that across America, Louisville is an exception. America's heros are those who score touchdowns or shoot 30 points per game.
One recent post mentioned that in other countries, even the blue collars take an interest in authors, filmmakers, artists, and musicians.
By knowing about architects and filmmakers, you apparently are not the average American either. Thanks for the enlightenment.

...and horse racing! maybe you should attend a horse race. or take a copy of huck finn with you to the mississippi for a couple days! louisville is most definitely not an exception. you often come across the same thing in denver, for example. and if you do talk authors, artists, intellectuals, the conversation often quickly shifts, and there can often be an air of "offense taken" or something like it's not nice to know things someone else might not. in parts of the boston metro, NY, DC, san francisco, seattle, vermont, new jersey, etc., culture, intellectual passions, etc and conversation about them seem more part of the fabric and result in people buying one another drinks ( funny you mentioned that ), whereas in other places in the US, it can result in losing friends, even.

is there a decent public radio station there? there can be some good stuff on public radio...

some other film, arts, intellectual etc personalities - some notables seem like cohen brothers and wes anderson, vincent gallo, woody allen, ralph emerson, edward abbey, henry thoreau, hank williams, jelly roll morton, led belly, billie holliday, richard feynman, frank lloyd wright, thomas jefferson, walker evans, dorothea dix, elizabeth cady stanton, dorothea lange, ... i know, it's that americans are not aware of some of this and it doesn't really permeate our being like it does elsewhere. again, i agree, it's sad that these names fall behind whatever trash gossip might be making the headlines of Star Magazine at the moment...

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by Mooseketeer

I have been puzzling over this for years now and can't really understand it. I myself am French ( no rotten tomatoes please ) and have lived in the UK for 18 years and 3 years before that travelling around the US. I sound quite British and always found Americans delightful and friendly but on many occasions I noticed that if they found out I was French, all of a sudden I was virtually ostracized which I find utterly bizarre and upsetting.
I also heard all the jokes about the French being dirty, and arrogant and I can't quite reconcile this with the France I know.
A lot of Parisians are rude and unhelpful that is true ( and as such are very much mocked and disliked by the rest of France) but then again so are a lot of New Yorkers or Bostonians and I have never for one assumed that meant all Americans were thus.
I find people in the rest of France kind and helpful, generous and they generally have a good sense of humour.
There are bad apples like everywhere else but in general it is a friendly place.
France is by no means perfect and yes it does have high unemployment and a lot of social issues which need addressing but I can't see how this justifies the animosity towards an entire Nation. They are a proud people that is true and can be a bit too "self- centered" but I would say this equally applies to America and most countries in general.I have also been dismayed at this blatant dislike of my compatriots as most Americans I spoke to had never been to France and if so had only visited Paris. How can you judge a country if you haven't lived there and don't speak the language ?
Despite all its problems France still has the best (free) health care in the world, accessible to all ( according to the World Health organisation, not exactly known for its pro French bias) , free education and university, good social benefits ( such as paid leave, maternity leave etc...)and still manages to be more productive per hour than a US worker ( only outdone by the Norwegians).
It might not be perfect but it is hardly the stinky pit of Satan's hell which a lot of people in the US believe.
Americans also seem to think the French hate them, IT'S NOT TRUE . Most French people actually really like Americans and love talking to them. If you speak a bit of French to them they open up and making an effort is almost always rewarded ( ask my not very good French speaking British partner of 18 years by a smile and a chat. They don't like American foreign policies but I'm afraid the hard truth is neither does most of the rest of the world. Sorry.
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.

Personally, I like the French. I would not want to live in France but I enjoy myself whenever I visit France, probably because I speak the language. I don't know what it's like for people who don't speak the language but I've never had any problems with people in France being rude to me...to my face, at least.

[Moth]

I have the great misfortune of living in Louisville, the only things they understand and talk about here are football and basketball. People don't talk about authors, filmmakers, artists, musicians and such. Instead, they discuss quarterbacks and coaches. But I don't think, that across America, Louisville is an exception. America's heros are those who score touchdowns or shoot 30 points per game.

Well you and I have already discussed this on another thread, so I will not risk the mod's anger and belabor the point. France has a very vapid culture centering on looks. And very good they look- no argument there. But sadly, the French disdain Goddard and Malles for Titanic and would rather listen to Michael Jackson than Miles Davis. Sure, there is always some unkept "intellectual" spouting off Sartre quotes without actually having read him. Big opinions, little substance.

But they look great. The women at least.

[Cornerguy1]

It looks like after, 330+ posts, we've reached the saturation point for ideas and opinions as to why Americans may or may not hate the French.

Time to make room for another thread on the board.