Oh come on, everyone bashes everyone, it's not limited to US vs France. Everything said here, except that WWII bs, can be said for almost any country. My take on the education system is that it actually is okay, but there're only incredibly lazy students who refuse to study. Classe préparatoire is a good system where student willing to work a bit actually succeed.
I don't mind all the bashing stuff we get, I like to bash the americans too, like everyone else right ? lol There's nationalistic idiot everywhere, look around.
French are not cowards, in fact France has one of the most violent histories in the world, waging war after war against every neighbour, and even against most of Europe during Napoleonic times. It is utterly false to say that the french have a history of losing or retreating. In medieval times the english court spoke french as the ruling dynasty was Norman; the Frank kingdom was one of the most powerful at the time; and so was the French kingdom during the Renaissance, and during the Lumières, too. French patriots ousted all foreign troops when a coalition tried to restore the French royalty, while severely outnumbered. Historians have given France the nickname of the "European China", because of its huge population during medieval times. Even the 100-year war wasn't a conflict between France and England, but mostly between two dynasties, and the side of the Valois (France) was vastly outnumbered by the attacks of Burgandy, Brittany, Flanders and Portugal.
But the French army was humiliated during WW2, and even before that in 1870, and the peaceful statu quo carved this in stone. This is very bad for national pride, you know?
On January 21 2012 23:09 MandoRelease wrote: Oh come on, everyone bashes everyone, it's not limited to US vs France. Everything said here, except that WWII bs, can be said for almost any country. My take on the education system is that it actually is okay, but there're only incredibly lazy students who refuse to study. Classe préparatoire is actually a good system where student willing to work a bit actually succeed.
I don't mind all the bashing stuff we get, I like to bash the americans too, like everyone else right ? lol There's nationalistic idiot everywhere, look around.
Canadians bash everyone. Mainly the Brits from what I've noticed. Or maybe it's because most of my friends are descendants of Brits.
On January 21 2012 21:35 Euronyme wrote: There are also some irritation left as the French practically didn't fight in WW2, even though they practically caused it.
You joking right ?
treaty of versailles. quite a lot of historians agree that France was being way too harsh on Germany with this treaty while USA and UK wanted to give Germany a chance to get back up in economy and trade with them, France wanted Germany dead, taking away Germany's most productive lands and setting a huge war bill for them to repay. Not to mention the treaty basically blamed Germans for all the guilts and had to bear the shame of having little to none army size.
On January 21 2012 21:35 Euronyme wrote: Americans envy the French in every way possible, the English have them as rivals. There are also some irritation left as the French practically didn't fight in WW2, even though they practically caused it.
uhhh wat lol
I don't know if he meant it seriously, but as a satire it is pretty good. Considering how Americans think everybody envies them
On January 21 2012 23:02 Back wrote: - USA produces many of today's greatest scientists -> some redneck at wal-mart doesn't know the name of the continents (that's what counts)
It doesnt. Nearly all of the great scientists at American universities are foreign born and educated.
Even still, the fact that the education is good can't be a point AGAINST America.
Higher education and specialized formation has to be centered somewhere. America is convenient because it's big and has a lot of money. In general, the education in America (undergraduate) is about as good as in the rest of the world.
Btw, I really feel bad for all the French here thinking our educationnal system suck. I come from a poor family and am now in the best engineering school in France, being paid around 800€ a month just to study, without having anything to give back. Just because I proved through French examinations that I deserved it. I don't think there's a lot of countries where you have that kind of opportunities, and you can have access to the higher education in your country without ever having to pay anything.
On January 21 2012 23:10 Kukaracha wrote: Okay, so here's my "manly history" moment.
French are not cowards, in fact France has one of the most violent histories in the world, waging war after war against every neighbour, and even against most of Europe during Napoleonic times. It is utterly false to say that the french have a history of losing or retreating. In medieval times the english court spoke french as the ruling dynasty was Norman; the Frank kingdom was one of the most powerful at the time; and so was the French kingdom during the Renaissance, and during the Lumières, too. French patriots ousted all foreign troops when a coalition tried to restore the French royalty, while severely outnumbered. Historians have given France the nickname of the "European China", because of its huge population during medieval times. Even the 100-year war wasn't a conflict between France and England, but mostly between two dynasties, and the side of the Valois (France) was vastly outnumbered by the attacks of Burgandy, Brittany, Flanders and Portugal.
But the French army was humiliated during WW2, and even before that in 1870, and the peaceful statu quo carved this in stone. This is very bad for national pride, you know?
I always find it incredibly frustrating when people push forward the BS stereotype that the French are cowards and always lose. The French have probably had just as much conflict as any other European region, and I can only remember two wars that the French actually lost (Franco-Prussian and Napoleon's reign ended in defeat, but hell that doesn't even count as a loss). Not only that, France came up with the greatest military general in earth's history and the largest mainland European empire in the world's history (Napoleon the Great).
On January 21 2012 21:35 Euronyme wrote: Americans envy the French in every way possible, the English have them as rivals. There are also some irritation left as the French practically didn't fight in WW2, even though they practically caused it.
Open a history book, maybe?
What do you disagree with?
French causing WW2 maybe? I mean, it's wrong on so many levels I feel someone is trying to tell me the earth was square.
Sure, France lost, plainly and simply, the war. But how is that the cause of the war itself? What kind of odd twisted logic is this?
Edit: I mean, shall I remind you that Swede was neutral during the conflict and collaborated with the Wehrmach in many occasions?
Peace of versailles. The massive debt put on Germany after WW1 was illadviced, and caused a massive meltdown of the German economy that lasted until WW2 basically. That combined with the French pillage made Hitler's promise of revenge popular enough to rise to power. The lust for revenge was central in Hitler's ideology, and is mainly what made it so popular.
Well tell me, was this a decision made by the French people, a consequence of the behaviour of the French army, or simply a consequence of Clemenceau's political views, and his alone?
On January 21 2012 21:35 Euronyme wrote: Americans envy the French in every way possible, the English have them as rivals. There are also some irritation left as the French practically didn't fight in WW2, even though they practically caused it.
Open a history book, maybe?
What do you disagree with?
French causing WW2 maybe? I mean, it's wrong on so many levels I feel someone is trying to tell me the earth was square.
Sure, France lost, plainly and simply, the war. But how is that the cause of the war itself? What kind of odd twisted logic is this?
Edit: I mean, shall I remind you that Swede was neutral during the conflict and collaborated with the Wehrmach in many occasions?
Peace of versailles. The massive debt put on Germany after WW1 was illadviced, and caused a massive meltdown of the German economy that lasted until WW2 basically. That combined with the French pillage made Hitler's promise of revenge popular enough to rise to power. The lust for revenge was central in Hitler's ideology, and is mainly what made it so popular.
Well tell me, was this a decision made by the French people, a consequence of the behaviour of the French army, or simply a consequence of Clemenceau's political views, and his alone?
There was a sizable French population that were anti-German to the point where they wanted France to immediately go back to war with the Germans even prior to WWI. They were very, very bitter about the Franco-Prussian War.
On January 21 2012 21:35 Euronyme wrote: Americans envy the French in every way possible, the English have them as rivals. There are also some irritation left as the French practically didn't fight in WW2, even though they practically caused it.
You French did not cause WW2...
What the fuck.
Well their treatment of the Germans after the first world war(which every country in europe started back then), especially in terms of reparations(going into German facilities and simply TAKING stuff, while shooting Germans who protested against that in some cases) basically guaranteed that there'll be another war together with the treaty of Versaille
You do understand that, after the destruction brought by the Germans and its allies during WWI, we were quite right about asking for some kind of refund and trying to stop Germany from having an army, right?
The war was only there because of Hitler, sure loads of veterans and germans hated the diktat, I'm pretty sure they didn't want 60 millions of people dying and their country destroyed for more than 50 years.
This is false too. The Diktat was the very reason a second war started. I mean come on, we're both French, I'm sure you remember your high school history lessons. I sure do.
Losing 4.5% of your population, having more than 5 other % wounded and having your country ravaged. It was pretty normal we wanted some way to secure ourselves. Asking for no military, getting back Alsace-Lorraine, asking for huge amounts of money.
That's what you do when you win, you want the opponent to not be able to strike back. I don't have to remember you who started this war.
Do you realize the debt lasted until 2010? There's a difference between securing a victory and securing the everlasting obliteration of the enemy.
On January 21 2012 23:02 Back wrote: - USA produces many of today's greatest scientists -> some redneck at wal-mart doesn't know the name of the continents (that's what counts)
It doesnt. Nearly all of the great scientists at American universities are foreign born and educated.
Even still, the fact that the education is good can't be a point AGAINST America.
Higher education and specialized formation has to be centered somewhere. America is convenient because it's big and has a lot of money. In general, the education in America (undergraduate) is about as good as in the rest of the world.
Btw, I really feel bad for all the French here thinking our educationnal system suck. I come from a poor family and am now in the best engineering school in France, being paid around 800€ a month just to study, without having anything to give back. Just because I proved through French examinations that I deserved it. I don't think there's a lot of countries where you have that kind of opportunities, and you can have access to the higher education in your country without ever having to pay anything.
Without ever having to pay anything ? When you come from a poor family maybe, because the French system regarding scholarship and taxe reduction is ludicrous, for the rest of us, one actually has to pay a bit. Not that much over the course of a year, admittedly, but still a decent amount.
On January 21 2012 21:35 Euronyme wrote: Americans envy the French in every way possible, the English have them as rivals. There are also some irritation left as the French practically didn't fight in WW2, even though they practically caused it.
Open a history book, maybe?
What do you disagree with?
French causing WW2 maybe? I mean, it's wrong on so many levels I feel someone is trying to tell me the earth was square.
Sure, France lost, plainly and simply, the war. But how is that the cause of the war itself? What kind of odd twisted logic is this?
Edit: I mean, shall I remind you that Swede was neutral during the conflict and collaborated with the Wehrmach in many occasions?
Peace of versailles. The massive debt put on Germany after WW1 was illadviced, and caused a massive meltdown of the German economy that lasted until WW2 basically. That combined with the French pillage made Hitler's promise of revenge popular enough to rise to power. The lust for revenge was central in Hitler's ideology, and is mainly what made it so popular.
Well tell me, was this a decision made by the French people, a consequence of the behaviour of the French army, or simply a consequence of Clemenceau's political views, and his alone?
There was a sizable French population that were anti-German to the point where they wanted France to immediately go back to war with the Germans even prior to WWI. They were very, very bitter about the Franco-Prussian War.
This raises an interesting point; if the french caused WW2, then didn't the germans push them to do so by provoking France into a war simply to... unify Germany (1870)?
On January 21 2012 22:37 secretary bird wrote: I still think bashing the French is a very english/american thing, some people in Europe are very americanized though.
For england its because of the many wars over the centuries and the english never forget when they had a war with another nation.
The US it could be because the french government and people were pretty hostile towards America for decades even though they were allies.
Plus millions of people have only been to Paris and even french people say Parisians are...not very nice.
I know all about that, doesnt change my opinion one bit though. The germans practically love France even though France has declared war on them many times. You might like to bash the french but that doesnt make it common.
WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT SHIT? Just kidding, though I live in northrhinewestphalia and although I live on the eastern end of it that state is pretty close to france and the general opinion of them here isn't very good compared to other countries(it's not like we hate them or even dislike them, but I think pretty much everybody 200kms around me would put a dane above a frenchie)
On January 21 2012 21:35 Euronyme wrote: Americans envy the French in every way possible, the English have them as rivals. There are also some irritation left as the French practically didn't fight in WW2, even though they practically caused it.
You French did not cause WW2...
What the fuck.
Well their treatment of the Germans after the first world war(which every country in europe started back then), especially in terms of reparations(going into German facilities and simply TAKING stuff, while shooting Germans who protested against that in some cases) basically guaranteed that there'll be another war together with the treaty of Versaille
You do understand that, after the destruction brought by the Germans and its allies during WWI, we were quite right about asking for some kind of refund and trying to stop Germany from having an army, right?
The war was only there because of Hitler, sure loads of veterans and germans hated the diktat, I'm pretty sure they didn't want 60 millions of people dying and their country destroyed for more than 50 years.
This is false too. The Diktat was the very reason a second war started. I mean come on, we're both French, I'm sure you remember your high school history lessons. I sure do.
Losing 4.5% of your population, having more than 5 other % wounded and having your country ravaged. It was pretty normal we wanted some way to secure ourselves. Asking for no military, getting back Alsace-Lorraine, asking for huge amounts of money.
That's what you do when you win, you want the opponent to not be able to strike back. I don't have to remember you who started this war.
Do you realize the debt lasted until 2010? There's a difference between securing a victory and securing the everlasting obliteration of the enemy.
Everlasting WHAT??? So what the fuck invaded us in 1939? UN Security Forces? 1 milion of zombies? Or that was just a fucking Zerg rush? French given up most of claims towards the Germany since 1919, Germany could have even their own army.
On January 21 2012 21:35 Euronyme wrote: Americans envy the French in every way possible, the English have them as rivals. There are also some irritation left as the French practically didn't fight in WW2, even though they practically caused it.
Open a history book, maybe?
What do you disagree with?
French causing WW2 maybe? I mean, it's wrong on so many levels I feel someone is trying to tell me the earth was square.
Sure, France lost, plainly and simply, the war. But how is that the cause of the war itself? What kind of odd twisted logic is this?
Edit: I mean, shall I remind you that Swede was neutral during the conflict and collaborated with the Wehrmach in many occasions?
Peace of versailles. The massive debt put on Germany after WW1 was illadviced, and caused a massive meltdown of the German economy that lasted until WW2 basically. That combined with the French pillage made Hitler's promise of revenge popular enough to rise to power. The lust for revenge was central in Hitler's ideology, and is mainly what made it so popular.
Well tell me, was this a decision made by the French people, a consequence of the behaviour of the French army, or simply a consequence of Clemenceau's political views, and his alone?
He was elected. Like Hitler; It's true, humiliation after WWI was the worth possible idea and killed the young republic of Weimach. We started them, helped by UK and USA (thats the reason why Hilter used to hate these countries too)
On January 21 2012 21:49 IveReturned wrote: If you make a law that shuts up the people who dont think like you do, you must be an ignorant retard. Thats my opinion about french.
And you just made yourself look inhumane / amoral / absolutely unrepentant.
Australians will admit that in the past, we did NOT treat the aboriginals of this land well. We bullied them and absolutely wrecked them. But now reparations are being made. Much emphasis is placed in every institution to improve the lives of Aboriginals.
Turks? At least admit things were done in the past. Denying history makes you look like the Japanese - who also have a terrible record of lying to people's faces about the junk they did in the past. The US's occupation of Japan post 1945 is also disgraceful, but let's not go into that.
I agree whole-heartedly with what MrTolkien said about the French education system. It is flawed, yes, but it is still pretty good. Its ideals of equal opportunity for everyone are one of the things that make France a great country.
On the French bashing "debate", I don't mind it. When it is from comedians, I usually enjoy the jokes about our accent, our supposed cowardice, our hygiene... When it is from a retarded redneck who doesn't like anyone if they don't go to the same church he does every sunday, well, i just feel pity for him.
We also have our "rednecks" in France who are never short of totally ignorant anti-America(n) ideas, and well, that's what they are, ignorant.
It does seem like if you watch The Daily Show or follow American politics a bit you get a distinct impression the French are okay to mock and make fun of. The most hateful thing a republican can say is to say a democrat looks French, has a French-sounding name etc.
I think some use French as short for a bunch of stereotypes, namely 1. socialist 2. coward 3. elitist/refined 4. arrogant 5. stealing your women. I think because of all the tension with them not supporting the Iraq War and the WWII history we're all apparently still obsessed by. (like seriously, I live in the Netherlands, we were one of the worst countries as far as the Holocaust goes, we had a lot of civilian and military casualties, we still have two remembrance days every year, it's the central feature in our history education system - yet nobody here cares to drag up dumb old incidents or holds it against the Germans. Move on people. >.< )