Discussion
Having just been aroused by another thread, I'd just like to let everyone know -
I can't stand frenchmen.
I have been to france a number of times, each trip adding proof to my theory that french people are so stuck up each others ar5e to acknowledge the rest of the world.
We went to the south of france, sitting eating an ice cream at the marina in St. Tropez just watching an Englishman going about his business on a lovely old wooden yacht around 35-40ft long and beatifully restored.
Large motor cruiser reversing into space next to his got it hopelessly wrong and hit the yachts wooden dinghy - sounds of wood splintering filled the air, followed by the mans heated exchange of words (in english).
The 5 or so occupants of the cruiser looked at him as if he'd no right to be there in the first place with a so what expression and pass me another glass of wine.
Only when he started to remonstrate with them in french did they start actually acknowledging him.
I thought they were the biggest set of w4nkers going and would have gladly torched their boat, but I was on my holls and didn't have my arson kit with me.
So...
what do you reckon, french deserve another break or do we send them to the lions?
I can't stand frenchmen.
I have been to france a number of times, each trip adding proof to my theory that french people are so stuck up each others ar5e to acknowledge the rest of the world.
We went to the south of france, sitting eating an ice cream at the marina in St. Tropez just watching an Englishman going about his business on a lovely old wooden yacht around 35-40ft long and beatifully restored.
Large motor cruiser reversing into space next to his got it hopelessly wrong and hit the yachts wooden dinghy - sounds of wood splintering filled the air, followed by the mans heated exchange of words (in english).
The 5 or so occupants of the cruiser looked at him as if he'd no right to be there in the first place with a so what expression and pass me another glass of wine.
Only when he started to remonstrate with them in french did they start actually acknowledging him.
I thought they were the biggest set of w4nkers going and would have gladly torched their boat, but I was on my holls and didn't have my arson kit with me.
So...
what do you reckon, french deserve another break or do we send them to the lions?
Every nation has its w*nkers, mate..
Conventional wisdom has it that the French in the north are more friendly towards Brits, and all are more friendly if you speak to them in French (but then how many times have you heard skinheaded twats shouting "speak fcuking English" at foreigners?).
My first experience of France was a bad one, but that was when I as 9 years old. I've been many times since, to various parts and always had a good time..
The French generally do have a different ethic to the British, but it's an ethic that so far as i understand it, is in many ways admirable.. you won't find a Frenchman working himself to death and I admire that, because work mostly sucks.
>> Edited by CarZee on Monday 16th September 16:10
Conventional wisdom has it that the French in the north are more friendly towards Brits, and all are more friendly if you speak to them in French (but then how many times have you heard skinheaded twats shouting "speak fcuking English" at foreigners?).
My first experience of France was a bad one, but that was when I as 9 years old. I've been many times since, to various parts and always had a good time..
The French generally do have a different ethic to the British, but it's an ethic that so far as i understand it, is in many ways admirable.. you won't find a Frenchman working himself to death and I admire that, because work mostly sucks.
>> Edited by CarZee on Monday 16th September 16:10
Its also true that in France you can get by very well without the ability to speak any English at all.
After all...how often is French required in England?
So..every country has its w***ers as pointed out by Mr Zee..but even these ones may simply have not understood what the chap was saying.
After all...a shrug and a "I'm sorry but I just don't understand you" looks awfully like "...and I don't give a sh*t..".
Tolerance, my friend. And if you don't like 'em... Boycott their country. You'll be happier. They'll be happier.
Works for me 
After all...how often is French required in England?
So..every country has its w***ers as pointed out by Mr Zee..but even these ones may simply have not understood what the chap was saying.
After all...a shrug and a "I'm sorry but I just don't understand you" looks awfully like "...and I don't give a sh*t..".
Tolerance, my friend. And if you don't like 'em... Boycott their country. You'll be happier. They'll be happier.
Works for me
I like France as a country.
At times some French people may not be the easiest to get along with but if they were like the English they would not be French or forign.
I have worked woth many French any like any forigners once you understand them and the differances between us there really is not a problem.
OK so some might not be too keen on the Brits but again it is the narrow minded people on both sides causing the issue.
Cant stand their cars though.......!!
At times some French people may not be the easiest to get along with but if they were like the English they would not be French or forign.
I have worked woth many French any like any forigners once you understand them and the differances between us there really is not a problem.
OK so some might not be too keen on the Brits but again it is the narrow minded people on both sides causing the issue.
Cant stand their cars though.......!!
I work for in the UK for a company based in S. France and I've found them a great bunch of people - against my pre-conceptions of them.
They are very friendly I rarely go there without being invited to someones house for a piss-up and meal. They are also serious party people. They do appreciate if you at least try and speak thier language, which I think is only common courtesy, but I think brits take that philoposphy to it's extreme. How many Brits would put up with a Frenchman talking at them in French, without trying to speak English in London for example.
Sparkey
They are very friendly I rarely go there without being invited to someones house for a piss-up and meal. They are also serious party people. They do appreciate if you at least try and speak thier language, which I think is only common courtesy, but I think brits take that philoposphy to it's extreme. How many Brits would put up with a Frenchman talking at them in French, without trying to speak English in London for example.
Sparkey
quote:Probably very few actually, even if those who can speak French.
How many Brits would put up with a Frenchman talking at them in French, without trying to speak English in London for example.
Which is why I do like to be able to at least 'get by' in whatever local language is in effect... for this reason I am extremely conscious of the fact that when I'm in Spain or Italy, I feel like a complete muppet, because I can only speak English, French and German - haven't the faintest idea about Italian or Spanish.
Except for "Dos Cerveza por favor, Manuel"
I've worked in France a few times, and holidayed. But the most fun was when I did 6 weeks in Paris with some of the most arrogant, hard nosed, patriotic, vulgar, baudy studio assistants ever.
They were brilliant fun, always poking fun but never quite pushing it too far. Made great drinking friends (I still visit).
France? Ne croyez pas l'exagération et le vin est bon marché.
And don't forget we introduced them to garlic.
They were brilliant fun, always poking fun but never quite pushing it too far. Made great drinking friends (I still visit).
France? Ne croyez pas l'exagération et le vin est bon marché.
And don't forget we introduced them to garlic.
When I'm in a foreign country and struggling with language, I somehow always unintentionally end up trying to communicate in my piss poor French, even though the poor foreign person probably has more chance with my native piss poor English.
The worst place I've been is Japan (I don't mean it's a bad place - just inconvenient if you don't speak the lingo). In Europe you can sort of guess at the meaning of words in stations, airports etc., but in Japan it's just impossible as they're all in that strange symbols type alphabet (what's it called?)
The worst place I've been is Japan (I don't mean it's a bad place - just inconvenient if you don't speak the lingo). In Europe you can sort of guess at the meaning of words in stations, airports etc., but in Japan it's just impossible as they're all in that strange symbols type alphabet (what's it called?)
If I mentioned the French police though - What a bunch of fat f~cks !!!
New years eve 2001 in Paris in the pouring rain. Stuck with no taxi in the centre of town asking directions to Le Defence(?) They were just looking at us like we were green with two heads, shruging and then sending us in the totaly opersite direction from the last policeman.
I have never had a worse night in my life !!
We found it in the end thanks to a group of Greeks who took pity on us and gave us a lift......
But I still have nothing against the French in general and I have had some great holidays there.
New years eve 2001 in Paris in the pouring rain. Stuck with no taxi in the centre of town asking directions to Le Defence(?) They were just looking at us like we were green with two heads, shruging and then sending us in the totaly opersite direction from the last policeman.
I have never had a worse night in my life !!
We found it in the end thanks to a group of Greeks who took pity on us and gave us a lift......
But I still have nothing against the French in general and I have had some great holidays there.
STOP GENERALISING! Byff, you'd propably love the same percentage of French people like you'd love in Britain, if you only know all of them!
(Be lucky you do not know all of them
) I've thought the same about French people, when I've started learning and speaking French to them. They simply ignored me or did not try to understand me.
Today, I know I've met the wrong French men then, because some years later, I've made some great
mates in France! 
For those of you with a high opinion of the French this may help
http://yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au/~mongoose/french/
http://yoyo.cc.monash.edu.au/~mongoose/french/
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