Originally posted by Ushgarak
For sure, England has its fair share of xenophobes and idiots and, like most western countries, the never ending debate over immigration which fuels an anti-foreigner attitude. There's also a suspicion over those who do not learn English- though it really is a suspicion, and a dislike of self-isolating communities, whereas in France it seems to be more of an intellectual contempt. I guess the reason why does not matter though.But frankly every country has its unfriendly edge. The UK is choc-a-block full of foreigners- its history is full of immigration and dependant on it- and most of them get on just fine and never have any problems.
For sure, the British are nowhere near as touchy about use of their language as the French are (possibly that's because so many Brits cannot use their language properly).
I think the issue for the French is exacerbated by the very defensive position French is in. As bardock notes above- why learn French as your second language? Even in the UK- where (I would hope) you can speak English so have the normal number one choice for second language removed, the incentives are not great. The only major reason to learn it is because France is next door, but that thinking is from the last millenium; distance is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
You need a very good reason, for example, not to choose Spanish instead.
Why doesn't anyone like France?
Most Obnoxious Tourists?: The French.
The French Are the Least Popular Tourists Around the World.
It's hilarious and ironic that the French are the least popular tourists around the world for the exact same things the French accuse American tourists of: they make no effort to learn the local language and are penny-pinchers.
J'aime la France.
I've heard (and experienced) so many great stories about France and the French, but one that always makes me smile is this one:
An American friend of mine told me about one of his experiences in France. He's a pasty white and chubby dude with blonde hair from Kansas, and he went into a tabac to get some Marlboros. He was the only person in the shop, and he went up to the counter to get the smokes. He told me he said, "Je voudrais Marlboro Lights" in a thick Kansasian drawl. The owner was about 50 years old, and just stared at him. My friend thought the guy didn't hear him clearly, so he said it again. The owner continued staring at him, and then slowly walked around the counter and ushered him to the door. When my friend was at the door, the owner shooed him away with his hands. Classic.
From personal experience, one of the funniest I've had was when I was staying in Hossegor, and I went for a post-surf hot chocolate at my hotel. I studied French for about 4 years so my French isn't too bad, but after I received my hot chocolate, the lovely lady owner spent the next 10 minutes (I'm not exaggerating) teaching me how to pronounce "Merci beaucoup" to her exacting standards.
France: The food's great, the wine's delicious, the country's stunning, and the women...Ooo la la.
Originally posted by Ya Krunk'd Floo
J'aime la France.I've heard (and experienced) so many great stories about France and the French, but one that always makes me smile is this one:
An American friend of mine told me about one of his experiences in France. He's a pasty white and chubby dude with blonde hair from Kansas, and he went into a tabac to get some Marlboros. He was the only person in the shop, and he went up to the counter to get the smokes. He told me he said, "Je voudrais Marlboro Lights" in a thick Kansasian drawl. The owner was about 50 years old, and just stared at him. My friend thought the guy didn't hear him clearly, so he said it again. The owner continued staring at him, and then slowly walked around the counter and ushered him to the door. When my friend was at the door, the owner shooed him away with his hands. Classic.
From personal experience, one of the funniest I've had was when I was staying in Hossegor, and I went for a post-surf hot chocolate at my hotel. I studied French for about 4 years so my French isn't too bad, but after I received my hot chocolate, the lovely lady owner spent the next 10 minutes (I'm not exaggerating) teaching me how to pronounce "Merci beaucoup" to her exacting standards.
France: The food's great, the wine's delicious, the country's stunning, and the women...Ooo la la.
yet another reason why you should just die.