How to Hate the French: A User's Guide: Michael Lewis

Bloomberg ^ | April 9, 2003 | Michael Lewis

[WaveThatFlag]

Berkeley, California, April 9 (Bloomberg) -- It's astonishing how much easier it has become in America in just the last few weeks to hate the French, even for those who shouldn't.

A random sampling of three friends who disapprove of the war in Iraq and enjoy a good Burgundy reveals that all of them are inclined more than ever to detest our former ally. Trouble is, they don't know how to do it.

[martianagent]

Anybody wanting a historical perspective of some sort on the nature of the French, their culture, government etc. etc. should rent a movie called "Queen Margot", which describes the French court and its intrigues a few hundred years ago. Even if Christ had returned to Earth to live in France in perpetuity at that time you'd figure it would take 2000 years to produce anything resembling righteousness starting from such a base.

[hawkaw]

No its not about being unAmerican.

Its about discriminating a whole society. Its not about critcizing or boycotting. I completely understand and a lot of people on this board are doing that and that's fine.

But what I am witnessing in a lot of these threads is pure hate or discrimination against a whole group.

That's not right.

hawk

[WaveThatFlag]

I think that you are overeacting as bad as the rest of us. I have friends who are French and enjoy their company. But as a rule, I dislike the French. Just like, as a rule, I dislike Palestinians. A member of either race has to go the extra mile to win me over.

And, there's no love lost. The French hate Americans just as vehemently.

[Publius6961]

Right.
And a tiny, minuscule percentage of muslims are irrational, violent and murderous.

You interested in buying bridges?

[Leisler]

Maybe I wasn't clear. I couldn't care less what people say. It is what they do that counts. Or what they don't do.

By in large France has been the supporter and friend of Saddam. Not Iraq. The Iraqis had no say. France supported Saddam, France let Saddam suckle from her breast while Saddam was murdering everyone in site. France knew this. And liked it.

Matter of fact, the only influence France seems to of had, and only "friends" France seems to of made the last forty years has been with murderous dictators. Wonder why? Could it of been the blood money these thugs delivered to French politicians and industrialist in return for the French giving them legitimacy. But it is only natural that if the French sold the Iraqi to Saddam’s death prisons, they’d sell their own nations reputation.

Nice company you keep. What’s next, kind words for Pol Pot?

[bfree]

Maybe you'll like this better--"If you are not my friend, then you are my enemy".

[Publius6961]

The true way to wound a frenchman's pride is to ask him how long it took for his mother's hair to grow back at the end of WWII.

LOL!
Now, that is diabolically witty.

The only improvement that occurs to me is to ask it in German.

[Allegra]

But practicing "hate" such as was written above (F**K France and the French) that isn't cool.

Yeah, but it's so fun. :)

Lighten up a little...no need to take a little levity so seriously. Life is too short.

[Michael81Dus]

Wie lange hat es gedauert bis das Haar Ihrer Mutter nach dem Ende des Zweiten Weltkrieges nachgewachsen ist?

- I´ll give u five bucks for spelling it correct!

[enemy9oclock]

I think there is probably some truth to this. I've personally noticed that there is almost NOTHING that riles a Frenchman (or Quebec) like being treated as insignificant. I think GWB probably knows this, as Chiraq has been reduced to sending messages to the Whitehouse through Tony Blair. As far as I can tell Bush has had no direct contact with or even direct comments toward the French in quite some time.

[dead]

Promoting hatred on ALL of a country all because a democratic and free country's government did not support a war effort.

I don’t think you even read the article. He specifically cautioned against that:

”We must begin by making it clear that when we say we hate ``the French,'' it does not mean we hate all French people.”

[hawkaw]

Lighten up a little...no need to take a little levity so seriously. Life is too short.

Oh I'm relaxed. Infact I am thoroughly thrilled more WMD are being reported today in Iraq and how it must pain "CNN" to report it.

But I'm just pointing out as best as I can what has gone on here on this db by some posters.

hawk

[Enemy Of The State]

"How to Hate the French"

hmm..I always thought that was just a gift all Americans were born with.

[MissouriForBush]

I think most people here are "blowing off steam," that's all. And that's their right. We are sick and tired of all the mindless PC anti-Americanism that has masqueraded as the "truth" in recent decades.

I am back home in the USA now after living in Germany for two years. I got pretty fed up with all the German Leftists' sanctimonious anti-American diatribes directed at me while I lived there. But I am a proud American and supporter of President Bush, so I gave back as good as I got -- with a little humor thrown in. Today I am hearing via email from some German friends that a lot of anti-American Germans are re-thinking their positions in light of the TV news video they have seen of Iraqis who are happy to welcome our US troops.

[JustAnAmerican]

Since you are not an American, I would not expect you to see our side of it.Seems I remember in quite a few topics and polls that a majority of French (80 percent or so), support their govenmen's Anti-American stance. In fact most, if not all of the people I have talked to, that have visited France sense open hostility towards Americans and Jews.

In a nutshell this means that the majority of Americans despise the French and their elected leaders. So we will continue to boycott anything that puts money in the pockets of the frogs. And to be honest, I personally could give a rats tail about what other countries and their populous think about us.

[Michael81Dus]

And, what are your feelings regarding Germany? Have you been treated with respect? Or do you felt discriminated? Now that you look back: Do you regret having "wasted" two years of your life here?

And would you consider Germany - after all your experience - as a US ally in general (not in particular in the Iraq conflict)?

Thanks for your response,

Michael

[hawkaw]

Oh I see your side of it all right, probably better than you do. And I do agree with the criticism/boycotting etc. But also I see discrimination on this db from certain posters including what is in your own post and that's what I'm talking about.

hawk

[BSunday]

The French are wittier than us

Did he mean to say giddier?

[MissouriForBush]

Michael,

How would you infer from my comments that I thought I had "wasted" two years living in Germany? That is certainly not the case. I had a great experience living there and am keeping in touch with German and other expat friends there. I have to admit, though, my German friends are CDU supporters and despise Herr Schroeder as much as I do.

Discrimination? That can happen any place, anywhere around the world. Right now I am battling with my German apartment management office to get my 800 Euro deposit back. I was warned by other British and American expats in Munich that apartment offices there do their best to deny refunding foreigners their deposits. First the office claimed I did not pay my last two months' rent (which I did and have proof of!) and now they are trying another false excuse. I did everything "by the book" -- re-painting my entire apartment which is required, etc. But they are determined to rip me off because they figure I am far away now and can do nothing about it.

In general, I consider a minority of German voters to be allies of the US. I just wish that the majority of German voters -- anti-American Leftists, Socialists and Greens -- would start thinking more open-mindedly instead of bowing to whatever the Leftist German media decides is politically correct for them to think.

[Michael81Dus]

:-) No, I just typed "wasted" in " " - replace it with "spent" if you like to.
I´m glad to hear that the problems with the appartment management seem to be the only severe incidents of discrimination - and that not only happens to foreigners. It is usual to keep the deposit maximal 6 months after the former resident left the appartment, so you should take time. But, you get interests at low rates. :)

If you don´t get the money within 3 months, you can call me - maybe a letter from a native German (and student of law) may help. They should not think that the law doesn´t apply to contracts with foreigners. :-)

Do you consider all SPD/Green voters as anti-american?
Hey, that´s certainly not the case, as well as not all CDU/FDP-voters support the US. But from my view, a majority of 65-75% wants a strong partnership with America.

BTW, not all people like Weißwurst - but I love Sauerkraut (must be cooked with garlic and onions, yeah sounds bad, but tastes great). And I agree, pastry is good - but I can´t taste a difference in coffee. Our coffee comes from South America (usually) or Kenia - as well as yours. :)

Michael