I like that people on this thread are distinguishing between “the French” and the French Aristocracy/“Nobles” (who are not noble).
My experience with French people has been almost universally very positive. Except some Parisians who couldn’t understand my French (despite French people from every other part of France understanding my French).
Funny you point out Parisians. My own experience is much the same. Rural or small-town Frenchies were (are?) pretty amazing people.
So, basically like here in the US: Most big city (New York, for example) you get the rude liberal assholes, while out in the countrysides you get the conservative friendly hospitality types.
French people are people. They are humans just like us with all of the same motivations, fears, hopes, dreams.
And also I like to remember two things:
Before I got here, there were a LOT of Americans who made zero effort to learn this language, the people, the history or the culture, so unfortunately those people perhaps gave these people a bad impression of Americans.
Given #1, I will speak their language, show them I appreciate food, art, history and culture, and become the one American that they love.
Impossible n'est pas français.
It's not American either.
P.S. Also try to remember that there would be no America if it were not for Msr. La Fayette. That helps to set my humility on Level 10, for any of these conversations. I would be stuck in the land of my ancestors with an Overseer's boot on my neck.
Not sure why you decided to give a lecture after agreeing with you AND giving some positives on the French in general....but whatever, Captain pedantic.
It’s enjoyable meeting the French equivalent of “red staters” ... generally preferring wine to beer, but otherwise driving pickup trucks, wearing jeans and t-shirts, running their businesses and raising their families, and always happy to chat up Americans ??
That wasn't the actual French, it was the owners. They are behind all of the wars and proud of it. They going down this time!
I like that people on this thread are distinguishing between “the French” and the French Aristocracy/“Nobles” (who are not noble).
My experience with French people has been almost universally very positive. Except some Parisians who couldn’t understand my French (despite French people from every other part of France understanding my French).
Quoi? Quoi?
Funny you point out Parisians. My own experience is much the same. Rural or small-town Frenchies were (are?) pretty amazing people.
So, basically like here in the US: Most big city (New York, for example) you get the rude liberal assholes, while out in the countrysides you get the conservative friendly hospitality types.
I'm Brooklyn born and raised and align closer to Washington than Trump.
French people are people. They are humans just like us with all of the same motivations, fears, hopes, dreams.
And also I like to remember two things:
Impossible n'est pas français.
It's not American either.
P.S. Also try to remember that there would be no America if it were not for Msr. La Fayette. That helps to set my humility on Level 10, for any of these conversations. I would be stuck in the land of my ancestors with an Overseer's boot on my neck.
Not sure why you decided to give a lecture after agreeing with you AND giving some positives on the French in general....but whatever, Captain pedantic.
It’s enjoyable meeting the French equivalent of “red staters” ... generally preferring wine to beer, but otherwise driving pickup trucks, wearing jeans and t-shirts, running their businesses and raising their families, and always happy to chat up Americans ??
JFK quote. Nice.
Duck!