Why do we hate the French?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
5,852
146
Vietnam would make more sense than WWII or WWI.

The reason for the relatively recent disdain of the French by us is that they were one of the first to call us on our (by that I mean our government) aggressiveness post 9/11.

The Americans that I've seen that actually took that "freedom fries" bullshit seriously are the ones that know the least about our history and our ties to France, so it was just American ignorance at its finest.

Plus, the French are world renowned for being arrogant assholes, and we obviously don't take kindly to being shown up (a few years back they were ranked #1 in being snobbiest tourists or something, which is what the US is typically known for).
 

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
We in Canada have a good excuse. They suck us dry (money wise) and whine constantly. :D
 

Joemonkey

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2001
8,859
4
0
they think they have a superior culture for no good reason other than their own hubris!
 
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
5,852
146
gah! how could I forget? Pasteur was my favorite badass scientist dude growing up.

He just invents some vaccine, doesn't give a shit about nothing and just starts injecting it in kids and is like "Fuck You, Rabies! BAM!"

I even did a science project in the 4th grade replicating how he disproved spontaneous generation.
:)

:D

Don't you love how the results completely change how that situation sounds? He's either a hero or a major psycho asshole. Funny how often they're one and the same.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,872
31,381
146
Vietnam would make more sense than WWII or WWI.

The reason for the relatively recent disdain of the French by us is that they were one of the first to call us on our (by that I mean our government) aggressiveness post 9/11.

The Americans that I've seen that actually took that "freedom fries" bullshit seriously are the ones that know the least about our history and our ties to France, so it was just American ignorance at its finest.
.

...and "french fries" are actually Belgian--or Dutch, I forget which.

the funny thing is, keeping the name "french fries" is far more insulting to the French than is removing their name from such a low-rent (yet delicious) food item.
 

bobdole369

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2004
4,504
2
0
I suppose you mean "Why do the United States citizens seem hate the French?" Well I hate them because they are pretentious assholes. At least the few that I have met.
 

Ichinisan

Lifer
Oct 9, 2002
28,298
1,235
136
Haven't read the thread. My understanding is that current anti-French sentiment in the USA is due to this:

-They rolled over for Hitler in WWII and we sacrificed an inconceivable number of young soldiers to save their asses.

-In UN matters, France sided with Saddam before W's war and profited from the Oil for Food scandal. (not 100% sure on this)
 

Aluvus

Platinum Member
Apr 27, 2006
2,913
1
0
The reason for the relatively recent disdain of the French by us is that they were one of the first to call us on our (by that I mean our government) aggressiveness post 9/11.

This is the right track.

France has a certain cultural desire to be seen as a great power, as they were for many years under the monarchs (and Napoleon, however you choose to count him). This is a major part of why they have been such a driving force behind the EU.

In the current political climate, this can easily place them at odds with the United States. So our relationship is sometimes a bit antagonistic.

It's easy to tweak their nose a little with jokes about, say, getting steam-rolled in WWII.
 

Zeze

Lifer
Mar 4, 2011
11,395
1,189
126
Meh, looks like there's no GENERAL consensus and it's mostly just riding the media bandwagon.
 

jteef

Golden Member
Feb 20, 2001
1,355
0
76
It's because they won't help us fight our wars.

it's this, but it's a bit deeper than that.

See we helped them fight and win ww2. They were gracious for that effort for a while, but soon kicked us out. Then they started the vietnam war and asked us again for help while removing themselves from the situation completely.

so a lot of american's sacrificed their lives on behalf of the french inability to help themselves. Then they wouldn't let us fly over to bomb libya. Then the whole Gulf War 2 thing. pretty much they are exactly like scumbag steve.
 
Mar 11, 2004
23,444
5,852
146
Meh, looks like there's no GENERAL consensus and it's mostly just riding the media bandwagon.

Er, what? Media bandwagon?

Are you trying to understand the relatively good-natured busting chops, in which case do you not understand that, or are you talking about the serious disagreements?
 

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
688
126
Avoid Paris. The people in the countryside were very welcoming and nice, the people in Paris were everything you have ever heard. So much so I thought they were almost a parody of themselves.

Really? We were just there at the end of 2009 and were actually shocked at how nice everyone in Paris was.
 

shiner

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
17,112
1
0
Really? We were just there at the end of 2009 and were actually shocked at how nice everyone in Paris was.

I was there in 93, nothing but bad experiences with the people in Paris. Except for the night several of us went to the Lizard King's grave.

Honestly, of all the places I visited in Europe it was my least favorite.
 

BoomerD

No Lifer
Feb 26, 2006
66,364
14,770
146
Why do we hate the French?

I give up. Why?

/thread



Because we can...

Because, in spite of everything we did for them, the men we sacrificed, the money we spent, and the girls our G.I.'s fucked...they're a bunch of un-appreciative pricks...

Because the French have a fairly well-earned reputation for running from a fight...(for sale, one French Army rifle, never fired, only dropped once)

Because they all seem to have a major aversion to soap and water...

(and yes, the French did manage to severely fuck up/fuck over Vietnam...and the USA in the process.)

OR...just because it's cool to hate the French...if it's good enough for our Canadian neighbors, it's good enough for us!!
 

Zeze

Lifer
Mar 4, 2011
11,395
1,189
126
Er, what? Media bandwagon?

Are you trying to understand the relatively good-natured busting chops, in which case do you not understand that, or are you talking about the serious disagreements?

The former. I think most people just joke about the french because it became a long-running joke without a real clear reason in unison.

Ask the English or Chinese why they hate French/Japan. You'll get a clear answer from everyone.