Although I am given to understand that they may serve a sort of 'propping up by comparison' purpose. As long as they're around we look...
More Powerful, militarily
More Hygenic (even Appalachian Americans bathe more than the French)
More Polite
More Industrial (You guy's put an Eiffel Tower in your capital city? Heck, we put ours in an Ohio Theme Park)
More sensible in a Culinary way (they eat snails and cold soup, in case you didn't know...)
Good heaven's, if I keep this up, I'll be targeted by the Friends of the French militia group. Could I withstand the pummelling of stale croissants and baguettes? I dare not find out...
You could compensate by drinking a fabulous Beaujolais and eating a nice runny Brie with the baguettes.