Flying to France this Sunday...
Free Man, Not a Number
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Well here of course.
Age: 58
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Flying to France this Sunday...
Sorry Mods/Others if this is in the wrong forum.
Myself and the boss plus our short people are going to France for a weeks hols, travelling from Gatwick to Marseille on this Sunday. I'm travelling on a British passport and she will be on an American one.
Can I get a "reading" on, if there is much anti British / American feelings in France, especially the South. I'm loathe to cancel the holiday as I doubt BA would give me any money back for being scared, but the idea of harm coming to her or the boys just for the cost of the hols is worrying.
Any advice gratefully received.
Myself and the boss plus our short people are going to France for a weeks hols, travelling from Gatwick to Marseille on this Sunday. I'm travelling on a British passport and she will be on an American one.
Can I get a "reading" on, if there is much anti British / American feelings in France, especially the South. I'm loathe to cancel the holiday as I doubt BA would give me any money back for being scared, but the idea of harm coming to her or the boys just for the cost of the hols is worrying.
Any advice gratefully received.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: St Kitts
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, don't die there or get murdered because they're currently into putting graffiti on the head stones. (see DT pictures this morning)
Otherwise, I quite like the French - I just couldn't eat a whole one....
Otherwise, I quite like the French - I just couldn't eat a whole one....
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Switzerland
Age: 55
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But, seriously...
I have a little house in southern France, and been spending about 3 weeks a year there for the last 15 years.
The simple answer to your question is that there is absolutely NO anti-British or anti-American feeling in France. First of all, they don't really care that much about the Iraq situation, and even when they do, I've found that most people down there are clever enough to distinguish between a misguided government and a citizen visiting their (beautiful) country.
Passing through french customs and immigration is a wonderful experience compared to the U.S., and I've found the french border guards to be polite and professional, no matter where you come from.
If you are dumb enough to start a conversation about politics with a Frenchman, you will hear some pretty strange and radical talk, but then, you started it, so there...
Enjoy the Côte d'Azur!
I have a little house in southern France, and been spending about 3 weeks a year there for the last 15 years.
The simple answer to your question is that there is absolutely NO anti-British or anti-American feeling in France. First of all, they don't really care that much about the Iraq situation, and even when they do, I've found that most people down there are clever enough to distinguish between a misguided government and a citizen visiting their (beautiful) country.
Passing through french customs and immigration is a wonderful experience compared to the U.S., and I've found the french border guards to be polite and professional, no matter where you come from.
If you are dumb enough to start a conversation about politics with a Frenchman, you will hear some pretty strange and radical talk, but then, you started it, so there...
Enjoy the Côte d'Azur!
Supercharged PPRuNer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
Posts: 1,183
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Saddened to hear you’re even considering cancelling your trip. 
My French in-laws would be shaking their heads in disbelief if they knew this was the kind of press they were getting over here. The worst you’re likely to encounter is the traditional gallic shrug of indifference. The other 90% of people you meet will be warm and friendly, so long as you can say s’il vous plait, merci, and avoid shouting at them in English.
And as for the south being worse than the north – quite the opposite. Maybe it’s all the sun they get down there, but people are generally much more interested in red wine, pétanque & whiffy cheeses than politics!
My French in-laws would be shaking their heads in disbelief if they knew this was the kind of press they were getting over here. The worst you’re likely to encounter is the traditional gallic shrug of indifference. The other 90% of people you meet will be warm and friendly, so long as you can say s’il vous plait, merci, and avoid shouting at them in English.
And as for the south being worse than the north – quite the opposite. Maybe it’s all the sun they get down there, but people are generally much more interested in red wine, pétanque & whiffy cheeses than politics!
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Fratton End
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GSXTY is spot on. Drove in on Sunday from GDL, the food and wine superb. Loaded up with cheap fags and went back to Germany where we met the Official Zoll at the border. We were stopped as they thought we had been moving vast amounts of Gold and Bonds into secret offshore accounts ( and no I don't look like Don Johnson!). On a loadies salary that was very funny, think they couldnt get their heads around us driving a left hooker on G plates. 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Pattaya, Thailand
Age: 63
Posts: 217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am English, live in Paris and work for a major American company right next door to a major tourist attraction again American.(in origin at least.)
I eat and drink in Paris in French bars and restaurants. I have yet to witness or be sujected to any Anti US or UK feelings. True, there have been demonstrations and stones have been thrown at McDonalds but then again they demonstrate at the drop of a hat over here......
Most people seem more concerned about how to get to work tomorrow when it seems that just about all transport services will be seriously disrupted due to strike action.
Then again I don't walk around wearing British bulldog boxer shorts or Stars and Stripes Tshirts.
I eat and drink in Paris in French bars and restaurants. I have yet to witness or be sujected to any Anti US or UK feelings. True, there have been demonstrations and stones have been thrown at McDonalds but then again they demonstrate at the drop of a hat over here......
Most people seem more concerned about how to get to work tomorrow when it seems that just about all transport services will be seriously disrupted due to strike action.
Then again I don't walk around wearing British bulldog boxer shorts or Stars and Stripes Tshirts.
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: St Kitts
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was recently in the waiting room of our local maternity hospital, along with a Frenchman and a West Indian, all of us waiting to hear the good news about our wives in delivery.
Eventually, the midwife announced that all three of us were fathers to fine healthy boys, but unfortunately they had got the babies mixed up. I was asked to go in first and identify which one was I thought was mine but when I pointed to the black baby, she looked surprised. "Are you sure? - we'd have thought that was the least likely one to be yours", she said.
"Look", I replied, "one of the other two is French and I'm not taking any chances...."
Eventually, the midwife announced that all three of us were fathers to fine healthy boys, but unfortunately they had got the babies mixed up. I was asked to go in first and identify which one was I thought was mine but when I pointed to the black baby, she looked surprised. "Are you sure? - we'd have thought that was the least likely one to be yours", she said.
"Look", I replied, "one of the other two is French and I'm not taking any chances...."
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I´ve been waiting for this...
"France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes."
---Mark Twain
"The French are a smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore. True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don't know."
--- P.J O'Rourke (1989)
While speaking to the Hoover Institution the other day, Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was asked this question:
"Could you tell us why to date at least the Administration doesn't favor direct talks with the North Korean government? After all, we're talking with the French."
The Secretary smiled and replied:
"I'm not going there!"
"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it."
--- Marge Simpson
Next time there's a war in Europe, the loser has to keep France.
An old saying:Raise your right hand if you like the French....Raise both hands if you are French.
"You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940s who was still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it."
---John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona
How many Frenchmen does it take to change a light bulb?
One. He holds the bulb and all of Europe revolves around him.
"I don't know why people are surprised that France won't help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn't help us get the Germans out of France!"
---Jay Leno
"The last time the French asked for 'more proof' it came marching into Paris under a German flag."
--David Letterman
"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me."
--- General George S. Patton
"France has neither winter nor summer nor morals. Apart from these drawbacks it is a fine country. France has usually been governed by prostitutes."
---Mark Twain
"The French are a smallish, monkey-looking bunch and not dressed any better, on average, than the citizens of Baltimore. True, you can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don't know."
--- P.J O'Rourke (1989)
While speaking to the Hoover Institution the other day, Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was asked this question:
"Could you tell us why to date at least the Administration doesn't favor direct talks with the North Korean government? After all, we're talking with the French."
The Secretary smiled and replied:
"I'm not going there!"
"We can stand here like the French, or we can do something about it."
--- Marge Simpson
Next time there's a war in Europe, the loser has to keep France.
An old saying:Raise your right hand if you like the French....Raise both hands if you are French.
"You know, the French remind me a little bit of an aging actress of the 1940s who was still trying to dine out on her looks but doesn't have the face for it."
---John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona
How many Frenchmen does it take to change a light bulb?
One. He holds the bulb and all of Europe revolves around him.
"I don't know why people are surprised that France won't help us get Saddam out of Iraq. After all, France wouldn't help us get the Germans out of France!"
---Jay Leno
"The last time the French asked for 'more proof' it came marching into Paris under a German flag."
--David Letterman
"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me."
--- General George S. Patton
Free Man, Not a Number
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Well here of course.
Age: 58
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Any more jokes like that and I fear a ModBod will bounce this to my second home in JetBlast. 
Thanks for the info on France, we've never had any trouble before, but I thought it better to ask someone who's been there recently if events are stirring up problems / issues.
Thanks for the info on France, we've never had any trouble before, but I thought it better to ask someone who's been there recently if events are stirring up problems / issues.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Dirty Sands
Age: 62
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It's interesting to note that no French have bothered to reply to this thread.
I agree with posts above that generally speaking, a little disdain from the French is all that you can fear. Beware though that the war in Iraq and its horror pictures, widely seen in France but not in America, may be changing attitudes very rapidly and very deeply. But we'd better leave the political debate aside from PPrune.
I know both countries quite well and I can assure you that the cliché of French arrogance is no more true than that of American ingenuity. Both countries have striking similarities and unsurmountable differences. America is a great country and France is very civilised.
I see no reason why you shouldn't enjoy your trip. Compared to the US, France has lots of charm, style and beauty. Crime rate is much lower, educational and cultural levels are considerably higher (education and healthcare are free) and so's the general living standard. As an added bonus, French food is far, far better (and healthier), not to mention their wines, and last but not least, French women are undisputedly prettier.
Good luck.
PS: I was forgetting that Airbus is now beating Boeing worldwide.
I agree with posts above that generally speaking, a little disdain from the French is all that you can fear. Beware though that the war in Iraq and its horror pictures, widely seen in France but not in America, may be changing attitudes very rapidly and very deeply. But we'd better leave the political debate aside from PPrune.
I know both countries quite well and I can assure you that the cliché of French arrogance is no more true than that of American ingenuity. Both countries have striking similarities and unsurmountable differences. America is a great country and France is very civilised.
I see no reason why you shouldn't enjoy your trip. Compared to the US, France has lots of charm, style and beauty. Crime rate is much lower, educational and cultural levels are considerably higher (education and healthcare are free) and so's the general living standard. As an added bonus, French food is far, far better (and healthier), not to mention their wines, and last but not least, French women are undisputedly prettier.
Good luck.
PS: I was forgetting that Airbus is now beating Boeing worldwide.
I'matightbastard
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well done Bigmouth. Somebody asks a serious question and you trot out that tired email that wasn't funny when it first came out...how long ago?
Perhaps your posting would have had more impact were you to have been able to think of your own things to say.
Perhaps your posting would have had more impact were you to have been able to think of your own things to say.
french
Te Rangi
French women are not prettier....... than ESSEX GIRLS!
more attractive ? definitely! and they don`t shave ... or so I`ve been told!
French women are not prettier....... than ESSEX GIRLS!
more attractive ? definitely! and they don`t shave ... or so I`ve been told!
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Blackburn
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry couldn't resist it...........
"What is the difference between the French and toast?
You can make soldiers out of toast !!"
Seriously though, I spend a lot of time in the South of France and the people couldn't be nicer. They are definitely NOT anti British or American.
It would be a shame to cancel your trip, it is a great time of year with plenty going on. Enjoy and forget your troubles for a while.
"What is the difference between the French and toast?
You can make soldiers out of toast !!"
Seriously though, I spend a lot of time in the South of France and the people couldn't be nicer. They are definitely NOT anti British or American.
It would be a shame to cancel your trip, it is a great time of year with plenty going on. Enjoy and forget your troubles for a while.
Free Man, Not a Number
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Well here of course.
Age: 58
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BillHicksRules (great name by the way - agree) of course I'm serious.
My wife is American I'm English - all I've seen in the trade press and comics is French people smashing up American chains (probably owned by French) and War Cemetaries being defaced. I'd be an asshole if I took my family into an area where racial hatred was at that level.
My wife is American I'm English - all I've seen in the trade press and comics is French people smashing up American chains (probably owned by French) and War Cemetaries being defaced. I'd be an asshole if I took my family into an area where racial hatred was at that level.
The French are always afraid when they come to Britain, they have to eat the food, drink the beer and suffer the weather.
Not only that but they have the English sense of humour to put up with.
However a long term friend from Paris who used to be married to an Englishman was absolutely horrified when I suggested that she might move back to France when her childrens education was finished.
France PAH!!!!, ITS FULL OF FRENCH MEN!!!!!!!!!!!
Not only that but they have the English sense of humour to put up with.
However a long term friend from Paris who used to be married to an Englishman was absolutely horrified when I suggested that she might move back to France when her childrens education was finished.
France PAH!!!!, ITS FULL OF FRENCH MEN!!!!!!!!!!!
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tamarama beach
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You want it when ??
Quite a name by the way.
I am bewildered at the amount of worries people have about travelling to France. Trust me, it is a lot easier to be American or British in France these days than travel the Us as a french citizen.
The bulk of the nation opposes the war ! So what ? Does someone with a different opinion spook you that much ???
As someone else put it, people here have a lot more important things to worry about than harrass american or british. You are only scaring yourself with your shadow.
I've seen american paxs board my aircraft with their passeport turned upside down so their nationality wouldn't appear almost thinking they were going to be abused by the crew. When jokingly remarked on they looked so sheepy and apologetic it was unreal and unnerving at the same time. You'd wonder what the media tell them over there.
My modest psychological knowledge leads me to ask you how you would treat a french in England if you were to see one ???
The french press doesn't lash out like those pathetic tabloïds and everyone here is entitled to have his own opinion.
Just like anywhere else in the world you'll have people demonstrating against what they feel is not right and unfortunatly sometimes in absolutly unacceptable ways which by the way remain so marginal that they have to be as shocking/ provocative as profaning british war cemeteries. This would enrage anyone in his own mind. If this is enough to spook your american wife and your sensitive british soul, well then tough on you mate.
The rest of the anglo-saxon community living here will continue sipping wine on your behalf.
PS : Equally stupid, lot of schools have cancelled their trips to England for fear the kids would be abused. This is only feeding fear and everyone knows that extremists thrive on fear.
Quite a name by the way.
I am bewildered at the amount of worries people have about travelling to France. Trust me, it is a lot easier to be American or British in France these days than travel the Us as a french citizen.
The bulk of the nation opposes the war ! So what ? Does someone with a different opinion spook you that much ???
As someone else put it, people here have a lot more important things to worry about than harrass american or british. You are only scaring yourself with your shadow.
I've seen american paxs board my aircraft with their passeport turned upside down so their nationality wouldn't appear almost thinking they were going to be abused by the crew. When jokingly remarked on they looked so sheepy and apologetic it was unreal and unnerving at the same time. You'd wonder what the media tell them over there.
My modest psychological knowledge leads me to ask you how you would treat a french in England if you were to see one ???
The french press doesn't lash out like those pathetic tabloïds and everyone here is entitled to have his own opinion.
Just like anywhere else in the world you'll have people demonstrating against what they feel is not right and unfortunatly sometimes in absolutly unacceptable ways which by the way remain so marginal that they have to be as shocking/ provocative as profaning british war cemeteries. This would enrage anyone in his own mind. If this is enough to spook your american wife and your sensitive british soul, well then tough on you mate.
The rest of the anglo-saxon community living here will continue sipping wine on your behalf.
PS : Equally stupid, lot of schools have cancelled their trips to England for fear the kids would be abused. This is only feeding fear and everyone knows that extremists thrive on fear.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You want it when?
I wouldn't be overly concerned about anti-American or anti-British feeling in France. I have travelled to most parts of France over the years and have only ever had one occurrence of what should probably be classified as narrow-mindedness rather than racism.
I was refused service in a small petrol station because I was driving a car on German number-plates. I waited for ten minutes while the owner filled other cars and when I asked him why he wasn't serving me, (in fluent French) he told me he was closed.
When I recounted this incident to an old friend of mine, she was mortified, and this would reflect the opinions of the majority of the French. Of course there is a racist element, but there is in any country.
My advice would be to go to France, enjoy it, drink the wine, eat the cheese and patronise as many different restaurants as you can. The restauranteurs need as much help as they can get at the moment - given the bizarre policy of the French government which allows fast food restaurants (like Le McDo) to charge 5.5% TVA (VAT) as opposed to 19.6% for "proper" restaurants!
I wouldn't be overly concerned about anti-American or anti-British feeling in France. I have travelled to most parts of France over the years and have only ever had one occurrence of what should probably be classified as narrow-mindedness rather than racism.
I was refused service in a small petrol station because I was driving a car on German number-plates. I waited for ten minutes while the owner filled other cars and when I asked him why he wasn't serving me, (in fluent French) he told me he was closed.
When I recounted this incident to an old friend of mine, she was mortified, and this would reflect the opinions of the majority of the French. Of course there is a racist element, but there is in any country.
My advice would be to go to France, enjoy it, drink the wine, eat the cheese and patronise as many different restaurants as you can. The restauranteurs need as much help as they can get at the moment - given the bizarre policy of the French government which allows fast food restaurants (like Le McDo) to charge 5.5% TVA (VAT) as opposed to 19.6% for "proper" restaurants!
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Europe
Posts: 3,261
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You want it when?,
I was really saddened upon knowing you thought you might be abused in France. The French people are very tolerant of different opinions, and I believe much of their political problems in the present situation started because they expected the same from their political counterparts. It's a part of the French culture to be able to express one's opinions freely and let others do the same. I never felt any animosity towards American or British people, and if you ever had this idea because of anything you could learn from the media, well, that's a proof that they are quite misleading and are doing this to put you guys on the defensive.
About French press, it is a part of the culture too to criticise and satyrise openly anything, french government first. The satyrical newspaper Le canard enchainé was defined on another forum "anti American". Well, if it's anti American it is also anti French, because it doesn't wear gloves on dealing with any French politician. It's just that nobody gets a preferential treatment. The French have the habit of being auto-critical and don't treat others differently than they would do with themselves.
I was really saddened upon knowing you thought you might be abused in France. The French people are very tolerant of different opinions, and I believe much of their political problems in the present situation started because they expected the same from their political counterparts. It's a part of the French culture to be able to express one's opinions freely and let others do the same. I never felt any animosity towards American or British people, and if you ever had this idea because of anything you could learn from the media, well, that's a proof that they are quite misleading and are doing this to put you guys on the defensive.
About French press, it is a part of the culture too to criticise and satyrise openly anything, french government first. The satyrical newspaper Le canard enchainé was defined on another forum "anti American". Well, if it's anti American it is also anti French, because it doesn't wear gloves on dealing with any French politician. It's just that nobody gets a preferential treatment. The French have the habit of being auto-critical and don't treat others differently than they would do with themselves.