Why do the French hate Americans?
Hate is somewhat a strong word for it, a more appropriate word is DISLIKE. The French don't hate Americans, they dislike Americans. Some of their views are truth, some are not so truth and somewhat ignorance and stereotype. Some Frenchman may agree, others may not agree. I am writing quickly what come to my mind in no random order, and it is a view of an American immigrant who happened to experience both side of the coin.
In terms of tourism, Americans rank #1 in term of citizens travel abroad; yet, most Americans are clueless about the history, cultures, and anything else pertaining to the countries they visit (except how many stars is the hotel they plan to stay in). Each American who travel abroad is an Ambassador for his/her country, but most Americans don't act, or give much thought about the ambassador's image when they are abroad. Together with shocking news about disfunctioning families in the U.S., violent movies, ect...., it creates a bad image of America in general, and the image of an American is somewhat distort in the eye of the foreigners.
From the eye of the Frenchman, Americans are loud and obnoxious. Americans think they are the best human being on this planet earth, disrespectful about the country they visit because they are not flexible in term of adapting to the local customs and cultures ( Majority of Americans do not understand the cultures of other countries beside their own). Americans are aggressive and opinionate (talk more than they listen or observe). Overall, it comes down to the conclusion by the French that Americans are pompous, ignorance, and disrespectful. A country with the most history, the most culture, the most personality,...is a country whom dislike Americans the most, and France just happen to be one of those countries.
Hollywood movies , American music are also considered an invasion of the French cultures. The young crowd love it, the older generation thinks it is a shame and a slap in the face. But when it comes down to it, it is all about the dollars. And without much choices, American influences in those two fields are invading France in large waves which created the sentiments we are seeing today.
My opinion is, Americans need to learn to respect others if they want to earn the respect for themselves . Stop the mentality about America is #1 and everyone else are one class below. America may be the richest nation, but it is only 200 years old; and dollars do not buy history or cultures. Americans talk the loudest in term of savings the earth, stop pollution, freedom and human rights, crime rates, warfare, waste, ect... yet America is still rank number one in most of those categories. The hypocrite scenario does not sit well with the rest of the world, including France.
True or not true? You decide for yourself !!!! This is for debate, not personal attack,.......be civilized. |
