Great going Lance! The yellow arm bands seen in almost every newscast show our support for your efforts. We are behind you as a cancer survivor, a hard worker in your very competitive field, a Texan and an American.
For those of you that have not been to France this year, I want you to know that what we hear about the French despising Americans is not true. Four of us, from Texas, were there in February, 2004. I didn't know any French! I learned, good day, thank you and please but forgot them as I froze leaving the hotel room alone while my husband and his two coworkers left for work. The French people knew I was American, it's just hard to hide. We were in Greenoble, France for two days. I had to point and hold up fingers for how many baked goods I wanted and then hold out my hand for them to take the money for what I purchased. I greeted them with a smile and left with a smile. Warm smiles were given back and forth the whole time we were there. A waiter even followed me out of a restaurant while I was taking a fresh air break from the smoke and we ended up talking for half an hour as he spoke great English.
It's not ALL the French people and ALL the German people, it's the MEDIA and who they put in front of their cameras or in print!!!! We were welcomed in Germany and France in February 2004 and I'd get on a plane to both countries in a heartbeat.
God Bless Us All!
Without our safeguards we'd be just like them. I strongly suspect that many Europeans are rooting for us secretely -- just as a lot of Iron Curtain citizens did during the Cold War.
It's one reason why I get ticked when I see Euro bashing.
Sorry but they do hate us and have for years. I have lived in Germany, and short periods in Scotland and Holland. I have vacationed in Europe at least 7 times since 68 and been there on business many more times.
Half of France lives in the Region of Paris and they hate other Frenchmen so why would they like us? Normandy and the far SE, where you were, are the best if you are American. Grenoble counts not at all because it is dependent on tourist and they have been hurting lately. They are especially nice when dollars are being withheld. One trip does not mean you have learned their thoughts.
I have never had a European be outright rude, save one taxi driver in Vienna, a Dutch shop owner, and a couple of thousand people in France. BTW when we travel we keep a low profile, watch our manners, dress like Europeans, and speak passable French, Italian, German and Spanish among the six (all Texans) of us who go together. We do nothing to bring on any rudeness.