During last years, "Tour De France," spectators where seen spiting on cyclist. Then again, come to a Giant's game wearing a different baseball cap.....
[This message has been edited by madcurl (edited 05-21-2006).]
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07:24 PM
moleman_in_a_FieroGT Member
Posts: 792 From: Houston, TX, USA Registered: Apr 2006
They probably mean every fast-food restuarant in the US, then I can half agree but it's fast which makes it good and tasty. But who is to say what food is bad or not?
[This message has been edited by fierogtowner (edited 05-21-2006).]
Lived with a Welsh woman for a short period of time. (very short) Beleive me-they don't have anything on us when it comes to food. The things that woman did to beef should be a criminal offense. Same with eggs.
Well, at least she didn't serve any snails.
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10:25 PM
fierobear Member
Posts: 27079 From: Safe in the Carolinas Registered: Aug 2000
Lived with a Welsh woman for a short period of time. (very short) Beleive me-they don't have anything on us when it comes to food. The things that woman did to beef should be a criminal offense. Same with eggs.
Well, at least she didn't serve any snails.
Man, I was bummed out this weekend cause I couldn't find any snails on my trip up north (as in, find them in a grocery store).. I looked at the shopping list and apparently after I said all I wanted, someone just wrote "John's (another word for happy) food".. Which wouldn't have bothered me at all, except I couldn't remember 3/4 of my shopping list. Ah..
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10:46 PM
PFF
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May 22nd, 2006
StuGood Member
Posts: 3172 From: Wichita, KS, USA Registered: Jun 2000
They also happen to be quite ungrateful, yet it was left out........
Not sure that's so true. My father- and mother-in-law went over for the 50th-anniversary-of-the-liberation celebrations, were welcomed warmly, and said they enjoyed themselves thoroughly. (Although, since the 442nd group is Japanese-American, maybe the French were simply trying to re-surrender. )
Really, though, I don't think they're ungrateful. I think they do react (as we would) to foreigners who visit and think that gratitude is their natural right. I've been there, and I've witnessed the ugly American act. What the South calls "white trash," the French (or any other country) simply sees as American. I've run into French people who I thought were rude. I endured this experience, even in Paris, at a significantly lower rate than that at which I encounter rude people in America.
It helps dramatically to learn enough French to be able to communicate basic requests. Oddly enough, a great number of French people speak French, just as we here speak Span. . . er, English.
And Don, what's your problem with le escargot? I've got a recipe . . .(besides, since you're moving to "far western Louisiana" anyway, you've gotta at least be able to eat mudbugs, and snails aren't that big a leap.)
British poll, most amazing part is that the US ranked worst for food and style... ENGLAND calling our food bad?
I have to agree with the style thing and disagree with the food thing.
The average american has little sense of style. This is probably related to the fact that over half of us are overweight and cannot fit into or properly wear stylish clothes.
As far as food goes... American food is great! Haven't these people ever heard of Olive Garden? Uno's? Just a couple off the top of my head
[This message has been edited by Spektrum-87GT (edited 05-22-2006).]
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07:27 PM
fierogtowner Member
Posts: 1610 From: Tampa, Florida, United States of America Registered: Aug 2005
Not sure that's so true. My father- and mother-in-law went over for the 50th-anniversary-of-the-liberation celebrations, were welcomed warmly, and said they enjoyed themselves thoroughly. (Although, since the 442nd group is Japanese-American, maybe the French were simply trying to re-surrender. )
Really, though, I don't think they're ungrateful. I think they do react (as we would) to foreigners who visit and think that gratitude is their natural right. I've been there, and I've witnessed the ugly American act. What the South calls "white trash," the French (or any other country) simply sees as American. I've run into French people who I thought were rude. I endured this experience, even in Paris, at a significantly lower rate than that at which I encounter rude people in America.
It helps dramatically to learn enough French to be able to communicate basic requests. Oddly enough, a great number of French people speak French, just as we here speak Span. . . er, English.
And Don, what's your problem with le escargot? I've got a recipe . . .(besides, since you're moving to "far western Louisiana" anyway, you've gotta at least be able to eat mudbugs, and snails aren't that big a leap.)
I really haven't been to France, so I wouldn't know how they greet people. I meant grateful in wartime. The US helped them out, they should help us out. Some countries had an excuse; they don't go to war on a regular basis. France, however, has been involved in many wars in the previous century alone. They've lost in most of them.
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01:36 PM
prof bobo Member
Posts: 164 From: N 38 55 25 W -89 56 10 Registered: May 2000
The question for any country silly enough to count on the French should not be "Can we count on the French?", but rather "How long until France collapses?"
"Going to war without France is like going deer hunting without an accordion. All you do is leave behind a lot of noisy baggage."
Or, better still, a quote from the Wall Street Journal: "They're there when they need you."
French Military record:
- Gallic Wars - Lost. In a war whose ending foreshadows the next 2000 years of French history, France is conquered by of all things, an Italian.
- Hundred Years War - Mostly lost, saved at last by female schizophrenic who inadvertently creates The First Rule of French Warfare; "France's armies are victorious only when not led by a Frenchman." Sainted.
- Italian Wars - Lost. France becomes the first and only country to ever lose two wars when fighting Italians.
- Wars of Religion - France goes 0-5-4 against the Huguenots
- Thirty Years War - France is technically not a participant, but manages to get invaded anyway. Claims a tie on the basis that eventually the other participants started ignoring her.
- War of Revolution - Tied. Frenchmen take to wearing red flowerpots as chapeaux.
- The Dutch War - Tied
- War of the Augsburg League/King William's War/French and Indian War - Lost, but claimed as a tie. Three ties in a row induces deluded Frogophiles the world over to label the period as the height of French military power.
- War of the Spanish Succession - Lost. The War also gave the French their first taste of a Marlborough, which they have loved every since.
- American Revolution - In a move that will become quite familiar to future Americans, France claims a win even though the English colonists saw far more action. This is later known as "de Gaulle Syndrome", and leads to the Second Rule of French Warfare; "France only wins when America does most of the fighting."
- French Revolution - Won, primarily due the fact that the opponent was also French.
- The Napoleonic Wars - Lost. Temporary victories (remember the First Rule!) due to leadership of a Corsican, who ended up being no match for a British footwear designer.
- The Franco-Prussian War - Lost. Germany first plays the role of drunk Frat boy to France's ugly girl home alone on a Saturday night.
- World War I - Tied and on the way to losing, France is saved by the United States. Thousands of French women find out what it's like to not only sleep with a winner, but one who doesn't call her "Fraulein." Sadly, widespread use of condoms by American forces forestalls any improvement in the French bloodline.
- World War II - Lost. Conquered French liberated by the United States and Britain just as they finish learning the Horst Wessel Song.
- War in Indochina - Lost. French forces plead sickness; take to bed with the Dien Bien Flu
- Algerian Rebellion - Lost. Loss marks the first defeat of a western army by a Non-Turkic Muslim force since the Crusades, and produces the First Rule of Muslim Warfare; "We can always beat the French." This rule is identical to the First Rules of the Italians, Russians, Germans, English, Dutch, Spanish, Vietnamese and Esquimaux.
- War on Terrorism - France, keeping in mind its recent history, surrenders to Germans and Muslims just to be safe. Attempts to surrender to Vietnamese ambassador fail after he takes refuge in a McDonald's.
Norse invasions, 841-911. After having their way with the French for 70 years, the Norse are bribed by a French King named Charles the Simple (really!) who gave them Normandy in return for peace. Normans proceed to become just about the only positive military bonus in France's [favour] for next 500 years.
Mexico, 1863-1864. France attempts to take advantage of Mexico's weakness following its thorough thrashing by the U.S. 20 years earlier ("Halls of Montezuma"). Not surprisingly, the only unit to distinguish itself is the French Foreign Legion (consisting of, by definition, non-Frenchmen). Booted out of the country a little over a year after arrival.
Panama jungles 1881-1890. No one but nature to fight, France still loses; canal is eventually built by the U.S. 1904-1914.
Napoleonic Wars. Should be noted that the Grand Armee was largely (~%50) composed of non-Frenchmen after 1804 or so. Mainly disgruntled minorities and anti-monarchists. Not surprisingly, these performed better than the French on many occasions.
Haiti, 1791-1804. French defeated by rebellion after sacrificing 4,000 Poles to yellow fever. Shows another rule of French warfare; when in doubt, send an ally.
India, 1673-1813. British were far more charming then French, ended up victors. Therefore the British are well known for their tea, and the French for their whine (er, wine...). Ensures 200 years of bad teeth in England.
Barbary Wars, middle ages-1830. Pirates in North Africa continually harass European shipping in Meditteranean. France's solution: pay them to leave us alone. America's solution: kick their asses ("the Shores of Tripoli"). [America's] first overseas victories, won 1801-1815.
1798-1801, Quasi-War with U.S. French privateers (semi-legal pirates) attack U.S. shipping. U.S. fights France at sea for 3 years; French eventually cave; sets precedent for next 200 years of Franco-American relations.
Moors in Spain, late 700s-early 800s. Even with Charlemagne leading them against an enemy living in a hostile land, French are unable to make much progress. Hide behind Pyrennes until the modern day.
French-on-French losses (probably should be counted as victories too, just to be fair):
1208: Albigenses Crusade, French massacared by French. When asked how to differentiate a heretic from the faithful, response was "Kill them all. God will know His own." Lesson: French are badasses when fighting unarmed men, women and children.
St. Bartholomew Day Massacre, August 24, 1572. Once again, French-on-French slaughter.
Third Crusade. Philip Augustus of France throws hissy-fit, leaves Crusade for Richard the Lion Heart to finish.
Seventh Crusade. St. Louis of France leads Crusade to Egypt. Resoundingly crushed.
[Eighth] Crusade. St. Louis back in action, this time in Tunis. See Seventh Crusade.
Also should be noted that France attempted to hide behind the Maginot line, sticking their head in the sand and pretending that the Germans would enter France that way. By doing so, the Germans would have been breaking with their traditional route of invading France, entering through Belgium (Napoleonic Wars, Franco-Prussian War, World War I, etc.). French ignored this though, and put all their effort into these defenses.
Seven year War 1756-1763 Lost: after getting hammered by Frederick the Great of Prussia (yep, the Germans again) at Rossbach, the French were held off for the remainder of the War by Frederick of Brunswick and a hodge-podge army including some Brits. War also saw France kicked out of Canada (Wolfe at Quebec) and India (Clive at Plassey).
The French consider the departure of the French from Algeria in 1962-63, after 130 years on colonialism, as a French victory and especially consider C. de Gaulle as a hero for 'leading' said victory over the unwilling French public who were very much against the departure. This ended their colonialism. About 2 million ungrateful Algerians lost their lives in this shoddy affair.
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02:23 PM
DeV8er Member
Posts: 747 From: Oak Ridge MO Registered: Oct 2004
In the 1960s, France, under Charles DeGaulle, bolted from the NATO Nuclear Planning Group and established their own nuclear deterrent, an act which strained French relations with the United States. In 1966, DeGaulle asked that all American soldiers be removed from France. "Does that include the dead Americans in military cemeteries as well?" U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk reportedly asked.
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02:24 PM
87FieroGTx Member
Posts: 2630 From: Bath, New York, USA Registered: Jun 2001
Wow, what a bunch of jumping-on-bandwagon-no-thinking-followers in this thread!
Actually, the French were one of the greatest military powers to ever grace this Earth. Most of that 'list' posted above is total bullshit! For example:
-You do realise that the Italians who fought the Galls were the ROMANS! The most powerful empire EVER (not exactly a shame to lose to them)! Secondly, the Romans under Julious Caesar at the time, tricked the Galls to win. Later, The Galls came back to destroy many Roman cities, and near the end of the Late Empire under Christian rule. The decendants of the Galls(Some Germans, too) took over the Western Empire.
-Many nations/regions lost MANY times to the Italians, etc. The French put up an AMAZING fight in WWI and lost many MILLIONS of troops/civilians. The French lost a few wars... true, but they also won and conquored many more than the US could ever hope to.
I don't have time to go into this any further, but one suggestion... Don't jump on the anti-France/anything bandwagon until you've done your research or have actually BEEN there.
I have no stake in this fight...I just hate idiotic Americans that know nothing about what they are talking about.
/rant off
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04:19 PM
PFF
System Bot
Toddster Member
Posts: 20871 From: Roswell, Georgia Registered: May 2001
Originally posted by 87FieroGTx: Actually, the French were one of the greatest military powers to ever grace this Earth. Most of that 'list' posted above is total bullshit! For example:
-You do realise that the Italians who fought the Galls were the ROMANS! The most powerful empire EVER (not exactly a shame to lose to them)! Secondly, the Romans under Julious Caesar at the time, tricked the Galls to win. Later, The Galls came back to destroy many Roman cities, and near the end of the Late Empire under Christian rule. The decendants of the Galls(Some Germans, too) took over the Western Empire. /rant off
Agreed. Add the Romans to the list of winners please! "Aww man, that Ceasar guy doesn't fight fair!! He tricked us!" Tricked? As in deceptive warfare? Like the Germans circumventing the Maginot Line fortifications and taking Paris quite easily? Like Allies pretending to invade accross the English channel at for Pas de Calais but actually invading at Normandy? Been a part of war since the very 1st one. How does any of that change the outcome? Ever hear "all's fair in love and war"?
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04:51 PM
moleman_in_a_FieroGT Member
Posts: 792 From: Houston, TX, USA Registered: Apr 2006
They forgot to add that special day that Americans use as an excuse to get drunk... Cinco de Mayo!
"Cinco de Mayo celebrates the legendary Battle of Puebla, Mexico on May 5, 1862 in which a Mexican force of 4,500 men faced 6,000 men of the ominous and well trained forces of Napoleon III's French Army. The battle lasting all of four hours ended in a moral and physical victory for the Mexican Army under the 33 year old Genereal Ignacio Zaragoza."
Mexico has never been and likely will never be a great military power. Yet, outnumbered and with inferior weapons, they defeated the French there. France may have been a great military power, but now they are nothing. During the last century they've lost to the Germans, the Vietnamese, and Greenpeace. Interestingly enough, Iraq had several French built Mirage F1 fighters before Desert Storm...
I've done some basic research, I'm sure that there's more out there. However, this topic is about French rudeness, not about their weakness.
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06:16 PM
fierogtowner Member
Posts: 1610 From: Tampa, Florida, United States of America Registered: Aug 2005
You may or not know this but if you do a search for "french victories" or "french military victories", click on the first link which directs you to "french military defeats", which brings you here http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/text/france.html
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