Posted on 06/14/2003 9:59:39 AM PDT by lilylangtree
CANAL DU MIDI, France--It's high summer in France: bikinis blossom on the beach at St. Tropez and lovers stroll in lingering twilight beneath the Eiffel Tower.
The only things missing from these postcard-perfect scenes are Americans.
Still fuming over French President Jacques Chirac's active opposition to the war in Iraq, Americans are taking out their ire by staying home or vacationing elsewhere.
"I doubt I'll ever set foot in France again," a hawkish friend from Kansas e-mailed me.
Other friends who are veterans echoed the same sentiment.
"France?" You couldn't pay me to go there!" snorted one.
Well, somebody did pay me to go to France, and so here I am, conducting a writing workshop arranged by Americans, for Americans, on a canal barge owned by a woman raised in America. As we cruise between Bordeaux and Provence we practically have the canal to ourselves. Barge trip bookings are off as much as 70 percent and fancy restaurants catering to American tourists are empty. The question on every merchant's lips is no longer "Where are they?" but "Will they ever come back?"
At least one of them did, when the No. 1 Yak recently dropped in for a short visit. President George W. Bush was in Evian for the G-8 summit of industrialized nations, but he landed and slept over the border in Switzerland. His refusal to meet one-on-one with Chirac and their frosty photo op did nothing to diffuse Americans' anger at France for refusing to join U.S., British and other coalition forces in toppling Saddam Hussein.
The fallout from this diplomatic quarrel with our oldest ally is causing economic pain in the country now disdainfully dismissed as part of "Old Europe" by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
Economic protest by their best-spending tourists is hurting the pocketbooks of bakers in Normandy, designers in Paris and three-star chefs in Provence.
"All our eggs are in the American basket and now Bush and Chirac have made an omelet out of them," said a French canal pilot.
While I sipped a smooth Bordeaux and ate aged camembert on a fresh baguette, a half-dozen crew members of various European nationalities lamented their lack of work.
"Our bookings are down 70 percent this season," said one barge owner, a British citizen. A marketing expert who works for a Burgundy vintner estimates her company's overseas sales are off by at least 15 percent, and will drop further "because people in America aren't buying French wine." Compounding their tourism woes is the fall of the dollar against the European Union currency.
However, there are bargains gallore in France as hoteliers and tour brokers try to salvage expenses.
Even the government--increasingly feeling the ire of its citizens for Chirac's arrogance and insults toward the Bush administration--is officially encouraging the unthinkable toward visitors. It's urging the French to say "BONJOUR!" with a smile.
Last I had heard, Chirac's support for Saddam's barbarism is approved of by about 70% of the French electorate.
"France says Americans waging economic war on Europe"
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/929045/posts
"Come to France"... "We love Americans".... No thanks, not for all the wine in Paris.
President Bush landed and slept over the border in Switzerland and refused to meet one-on-one with Chirac.
Bravo, Mr. President, not one penny to France.
"All our eggs are in the American basket and now Bush and Chirac have made an omelet out of them," said a French canal pilot.
Sorry "Mr. French canal pilot", President Bush is NOT to blame. Chirac took the eggs of French/American relations, threw them on the floor and gleefully danced over them with size 15 galoshes. Then he had the gaul (pardon the pun) to say... "How dare American break the eggs or think the eggs are broken." "The eggs are not broken"... "Eggs, what eggs?" Instead of facing reality Mr. Chirac says:
"America, we love you, come to France, buy our stuff, spend your money and stay in France". Ok, moving on to other points:
"Our bookings are down 70 percent this season,"... That is great news, it means our boycot of everything French is working.
"However, there are bargains galore in France as hoteliers and tour brokers try to salvage expenses."...
That is ok, you can keep your "bargains." We now know who are TRUE friends are in the war on terror and will maintain our freedom and the freedom of the world. We will spend our money, visit and purchase the bargains found in England, Spain, Italy, Australia, etc...
"--is officially encouraging the unthinkable toward visitors. It's urging the French to say "BONJOUR!" with a smile."
Another reason why we will no longer visit France but will instead go to England, Spain, Italy, Australia, etc... from now on. Their people do not have to be INSTRUCTED to greet or smile to Americans. With them it is not forced, it comes NATURALLY.
As for France, your so "old Europe," but look at the bright side; your being invaded by lots and lots of Muslim fascists. They don't spend much money and they want to overthrow your government, kill or enslave your people to Islam, but you will both feel right at home since your on the same side.
Patrick Goyet
Patrick, mon ami, embrace mon cul.
Sincerely,
/john
My Asian woman is half my age too, but was 19 when I met her.
Me, I don't pay good money to be scorned or humiliated. Every news story of frogs hurting because of Chirac brings a little ray of sunshine into my life. Go Dubya. Hee Hee!
. . .French canal pilot does not 'get it' even now.
The fallen omelet was not made by President Bush. . .
. . .Mia and Woody were never married. It was her adopted daughter; and while I do not think much of his actions; do not think they fell into the 'sick' classification.
Rather, Mia and Woody suffered the consequences of their own very liberal, Liberalism.
His being a spokesperson for France, OTOH, does make me sick. . .and his whiny Liberalism as well.
Dear Friends,
I would like to address the concerns certain Americans may have about travel abroad and to France in particular.
My concern is mostly being seen going there
I would first like to emphasize that Americans have always been and will always be welcome in France.
Who else would put up with that snobbish French attitude
The relationship between Americans and the French, France and the United States is one of longstanding friendship and mutual appreciation that dates back to La Fayette's key role in the American Revolutionary war.
And the French have resented American influence on their culture ever since
The Statue of Liberty, offered by France to the United States in 1886, is a symbol of friendship that represents shared values and ideals. It is a tribute to the United States-a beacon of liberty and hope. We will never forget the United States' instrumental role in WWI and WWII and will always honor the American soldiers who fought and died to restore our liberty.
suck-up
Because of the recent disagreements between the American and French governments and the heated press coverage of events, we are aware that some Americans worry that they might be unwelcome in France.
NO, rather France is an unwelcome stop on my itinerary
Since mid-March, articles in major publications (The New York Times, Dallas Morning News and Chicago Tribune, to name a few) have reported that returning American visitors experienced no hostility. To the contrary, the French have gone out of their way to make Americans feel especially welcome.
As long as you avoid the 58% who support Chirac
I invite you to consult our testimonial page and visit Rick Steves travel website for additional reports from returning Americans.
As if I care what they have to say - it's NOT ABOUT THE VISIT, IT'S ABOUT BEING STABBED IN THE BACK since we supposedly have shared values and ideals.
We are also very aware that you may be concerned about safety away from home. As in the U.S., the French Government has a highly sophisticated domestic anti-terror program known as Vigipirate (French Language only)
nearest english equivalent-look then retreat
and has taken extra measures in cooperation with the U.S. government to protect travelers and foreign guests.
As have we by not being there
In addition, since the rash of anti-Semitic incidents in France in April of last year, France has implemented a very successful zero tolerance policy towards these kinds of shameful attacks. Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, the French Minister of the Interior has recently been awarded the Simon Wiesenthal Center 2003 Tolerance Prize for his work in combating anti-Semitism in France. For more information on recent and past measures taken by French authorities, click here
AKA Jewish deportation and emigration.
In conclusion, we firmly believe that travel is about meeting people, talking with people and learning about people. We also believe that in light of our common history, there is much more that brings us together than divides us.
There is obviously more to learn about the French and their attittudes toward "friends"
We sincerely look forward to demonstrating to you our true hospitality. In that spirit, we invite you to take advantage of the special deals offered to Americans in our "Let's fall in love again" campaign.
Kinda like going back to an old girlfriend that you recently had your eyes opened to. Fool me once...
I am certain that a few American visitors will be asked about the U.S. Administration's policy on Iraq out of concern and a genuine wish to understand. But if indeed, as has recently been reported, there have been some unpleasant encounters, I strongly believe that they were few and far between. Speaking as a Frenchman and for the overwhelming majority of my fellow countrymen, I consider any such behavior embarrassing, offensive and ultimately very ignorant. We believe that travel is about people meeting people to better know and understand each other. In the end, there is much more that brings us together than what divides us. In life it is not the similarities that enrich us but rather the differences. We look forward to demonstrating our true hospitality and friendship on your next visit.
Patrick Goyet, Director U.S.A., French Government Tourist Office
By their own admission the French have confirmed that American tourists have been subjected to some unpleasant encounters. If you are stupid enough to waste one hard earned dollar on these ungrateful bastards, tell the frogs that America is to blame and they will welcome you like a brother.
How would you/we feel about the French if the french just quietly disagreed with us about Iraq? Basically saying that we disagree with your policy, but we know you feel strongly about it. We understand you are going to expel Saddam Hussein, but we don't think it is wise, and we have said our peace.
I think that is basically what Germany did, and we don't hear a bunch of German bashing. It wasn't the french opposition, it was their arrogance, and their attitude in general while disagreeing with the US that has so offended many of us (me included).
Yeah, nothing like having a moral degenerate shill for your country!
Allen's career has never recovered from his disgraceful and banal "the heart wants what it wants" remark. And it never will.
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