Sofitel surrenders, lowers French flag

The Chicago Tribune ^ | 03/01/2003 | Rob Kaiser

[GeneD]

The French-owned hotel chain quietly lowered the French flags flying in front of all 10 of its U.S. properties earlier this week to avoid being stung by anti-France sentiment stemming from the European country's vocal opposition to war with Iraq.

Although the chain said it had not received any complaints, each hotel's French flag was replaced with a state or city flag.

"As a mark of respect, we felt it might be nice to bring it down for some time," said Helen Lalitte, vice president of marketing for Sofitel North America.

[areafiftyone]

The problem with Turkey is that they want to wait another week to decide. I don't think we can afford to wait that long. But Turkey has the right to look after themselves but they shouldn't keep us on hold for so long. They should just say NO if they mean NO.

[patriciaruth]

L'Oreal!

Yikes! That just turned my hair gray!

[nwrep]

[kcar]

Jacob's Creek - say it ain't so. Been buying Aussie wines rather than French or California since the worm started turning. Now I find out they're French-owned!? Is there a list of Aussie-owned Aussie wines?

[kaboom]

Does Turkey have the Patriot's yet? If not, don't allow them to be sent. If so, have them removed. No yes vote, no Patriot's.

[maxwellp]

Thanks for the list! I see many cosmetics and perfumes that I use that I will cease to buy.

[Dont Mention the War]

The inflatable rats are known and sort of beloved by Manhattanites. They are, ironically, usually used at union pickets, the most RAT-laden spots in town.

[Dont Mention the War]

The cleaner they used smelled like fresh, cat markings. The cigarette burns in the bedspread were of a clever design.

But, but ... did they leave the light on for you?

[small voice in the wilderness]

Virginia Is For LOVERS

France Is For LOSERS

[Gamecock]

Histoire de l'" guerre " française
Gaul a défait par circa de Rome 49 B.C. (Jules Ceasar a défait les premiers porcs français)

Circa de Gaul de sac à vandales 450 A.D. (les barbares allemands détruisent les barbares français)

La France rend la Normandie à Vikings 911 A.D. (le midevil stupide France était bullied facilement par de vrais guerriers)

Bataille de Crecy - 1337 A.D. (main anglaise le Français leurs propres ânes dans le début des 100 années de guerre)

Guerre de Sucession espagnol 1648 A.D. (la France essaye de combattre le reste de l'Europe au-dessus de l'Espagne et desserre à Frederick William de l'Allemagne)

7 ans font la guerre ou la guerre indienne française 1756 A.D. (la France obtient le battement vers le haut sur 2 continents différents par l'Angleterre et l'Allemagne)

Révolution française 1789 A.D. (la France donne un coup de pied leurs propres ânes)

Waterloo 1815 A.D. (Wellington fournit le coup de grâce à Napolean - 2ème fois)

Révolution française (encore) 1848 A.D. (la France donne un coup de pied toujours leurs propres ânes)

Guerre 1870 A.D. de Franco-Prussian (William I de l'Allemagne donne un coup de pied les dents hors de Napolean III - reddition de Français à Versailles)

WWI 1914-1918 A.D. (l'Allemagne bat l'enfer hors de la France - sans aide des Etats-Unis la France parlerait allemand)

Élévation de Hitler A.D. 1933-1939 (bullies France de l'Allemagne dans les laisser prendre plus de territoire - les wussies pas même combat)

WWII juin 22, 1940 A.D. (redditions de la France à Hitler chez Compiegne après la mise vers le haut d'un combat qui a rendu le sembler polonais d'armée bon)

Le Vietnam A.D. 1954 (armée française à la reddition de Dien Bien Phu à chi Minh de Ho)

MORALE:
Même avant que Jésus a marché le visage de la terre, les Français ont leurs ânes donnés un coup de pied. Smelly, le fromage mangeant, fu-fu habillant le Français ne peut pas combattre en valeur un rien. Vous AUSSI pouvez conquérir la France!

[wideminded]

IMHO the dog picture isn't funny.

I've stayed at a Sofitel. They have very nice rooms which are usually quite expensive although they sometimes have weekend specials that are a good deal. The staff is very polite. The atmosphere in the restaurant was a little too upper class for me although they do make some damn good french toast. I don't think they would be my first choice right now.

[Paul_B]

> I think they now own Poland Springs water too

Yes, Perrier owns several major regional bottlers, of which PS is the Northeast's. A great alternative is Polar, available at Sam's Club for only $.65/gallon.

[Drango]

Another French boycott site, with some more "stuff"... link and a great picture:-)

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[gracex7]

hmmm, how strange....there are no deodorant companies on that list!!

[LisaFab]

Yes, the Post mentioned 'union' rats - love the irony!

[gitmo]

Giblets?

[gitmo]

What do the French sell in this country? Besides wine and cheese and adult novelty items: what's left??

[CarmelValleyite]

So the Sofitels had received no complaints about the French flags, eh? Heh heh... yeah, right!

[CarmelValleyite]

Add the following to the list:

Louis Vuitton (luggage and handbags, etc.)
"LU" brand of cookies available at your local market
Cartier
any fabric from Pierre Deux stores
L'Occitane bath and body products
Quimper dinnerware
Bernardaud procelain
Christofle silver
Fauchon teas and chocolates, etc.
Faconnable clothing
Annick Goutal toiletries
Baccarat crystal
Limoges porcelain
Sephora cosmetic stores