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Yes, you are right..that was in the past, during De Gaulle.
Any anti-americanism, such as when socialists and communist smeared Bush during the war of Irak, was directed at American politicians, not people.
They invaded the remains of the Spanish empire (Puerto Rico, Cuba until 1911, Palau, Carolinas, Guadalcanal, Marianas, Filipinas, created Panama, etc), also invaded Florida (shotgun sale), Louisiana, Nuevo Mexico, California, Arizona and Filipinas.
But colonization does not work, as France and Spain knows well.
Im not sure you can really say colonization does not work, as some of the places you cited as US colonial conquests are now states. The US colonization of North American territory or "manifest destiny" as its called in our history books is a different kind of colonization. The French, British and Spanish may have controlled half the world but they never really made it thier own. British India was still "Indian" and all those African colonys remained African culturally as well. The US was different however, as once we gained controll of territorry in N. America we Americanized it ASAP. The Spanish and Indian influences in US territorys that were conquered were either assimilated or illiminated making the place almost totaly American. Im not defending this, but it is how our national developement occured. Some of our histroy with the Indians is shamefull, there is no denying that. No one can be proud of events like the trail of tears or many of the massacres that occured on the great plains. US territorys outside of N. America have largely been allowed to remain what they were, or they were allowed independence like in Cuba or the Phillipines. However when it comes to N. America and manifest destiny we were a bit like the borg from star trek, we assimilated everyone who got in our way. Today we in the US all enjoy the privelages of living in a large powerful nation that controlls vast resources, but we did not get all of that power and wealth by being "nice".
French only get rude if you don't go by their ways or codes. If you are in France you have to adapt to how things are done there. Just like some say, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do"
They invaded the remains of the Spanish empire (Puerto Rico, Cuba until 1911, Palau, Carolinas, Guadalcanal, Marianas, Filipinas, created Panama, etc), also invaded Florida (shotgun sale), Louisiana, Nuevo Mexico, California, Arizona and Filipinas.
But colonization does not work, as France and Spain knows well.
France and Spain colonized many parts of the New World. Most of the New World and what is now the USA was under French and Spanish colonial rule until the 1800s.
And Panama was part of Colombia. It wasn't a Spanish colony when FRANCE and the USA decided to conceive the concept of illegally creating Panama, as an independent nation.
I have visited and interned in France and had no bad experiences at all. I speak (very bad, awful, basic) French so maybe that is why they were nice to me.
I think that the only place where people were not friendly was Spain. They were short and grumpy but not even they were to the level of "rude." I was in Madrid and it was a short trip so I don't want to make a generalization but several other tourists that I met commented on the same thing.
Definitely no....French are not rude at all...they are actually very nice and helpful us someone wrote above.. But I heard that when it comes to service they are not doing so well.... maybe tourism changed France? But personally I find France us an amazing European country with beautiful cities and gorgeous landscape.
I have visited and interned in France and had no bad experiences at all. I speak (very bad, awful, basic) French so maybe that is why they were nice to me.
I think that the only place where people were not friendly was Spain. They were short and grumpy but not even they were to the level of "rude." I was in Madrid and it was a short trip so I don't want to make a generalization but several other tourists that I met commented on the same thing.
Interesting....I visited Spain- Barcelona (this year...)and I found them really nice... although maybe a bit loud...(like most mediterranean countries)but Spain is amazing ...sunny weather nice cities beautiful architecture nice beaches and really relaxing and nice "atmosphere" ! I was in a great mood through all my visit in Spain! lovely country .
I've never experienced anything but kindness, friendliness and helpfulness in France. London, on the other hand, was the polar opposite. Maybe those who experience rudeness in France don't speak the language. In many countries, that makes an enormous difference. People are thrilled that a foreigner made the effort to learn their language, and they really open up. I can't relate to the article at all. The French are a Latin people; it means they're naturally warm (compared to the reserved Germanic peoples, including some Brits).
You are right about rudeness and speaking the language. I did not speak enough French to really communicate in Paris by myself, and shop clerks were really rude to me on my own. When my fluent in French friend was with me, they were nicer.
On the other hand, I found most people in London nothing but helpful and friendly. I was wandering around with my map and people on the street, as well as a policeman, approached me and asked if I needed any assistance or directions. People smiled and said hello on the street. The shop clerks also were very nice.
But, in both France and England I found the "old guard" were fairly snotty and rude. By that term I mean older male waiters and older male hotel concierges that went out of their way to make one feel stupid when asking an innocent question.
It's really hard to generalize--there are rude people and friendly people everywhere. I suppose it also depends on how sensitive you are and where you are from. As Ricky Gervais said--"I don't offend people--people take offense."
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