Is it time we did something about FRANCE?

[Papa Lazarou]

or Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria and Denmark. all about the same distance as northern Spain.

Just not as enticing for me.

Well, perhaps the Alpine nations might be worth a go....

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

Tell you something that's better in the UK,Christmas

The French put up the lights, but don't really go all out for it,New Year is a bigger do

I can't complain about living here,although I have a French wife with a good job,which makes life easier

What do I miss about the UK?

Watching Brighton,Fishing (the sea is over 2 hours away),Snooker,Indian takeaway at the weekend and the Pub

What makes me laugh about the French is,they genuinely think it rains everyday in the UK,funny enough as I type this ,it's currently pissing down

They are also hypocondriacs,chemist's can be found on evrey street corner,as well as hairdressers,which is bizarre,because it's alot more expensive here than the UK

Clothes cost a fortune to,French people judge each other by what clothes they're wearing

As for us Brits,down here anyway,they seem genuinely interested in all things British,sometimes even with a hint of envy

There are things I love about France,but there are plenty of things I love about the UK (well,Sussex)

Guess I get the best of both worlds

 

[Commander]

With 2 young kids the furthest we can go currently (driving) is France or Spain. I love Spain, so we may try that one next year.

I was only joking (kind of).

or Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria and Denmark. all about the same distance as northern Spain.

But yeah.

 

[warmleyseagull]

I often think the best of British and the best of French would be nirvana. I like their more laid back lifestyle, a better sense of community (though partly a result of being more rural) and they support themselves - buy their own wine (why wouldn't they), own cars and holiday in their own country. What I dislike compared to UK is the bureaucracy (it is worse than here, honestly), the lack of a can do approach, and a slight sense of superiority.

More important is that French economy is in big time shit. Economist regularly runs reports on this - see French reform: Wishful thinking | The Economist for example. 75% tax rate is sending the entrepreneurs (amazing this is a French word) scurrying abroad; the long-term budget is in even worse a state than here, and they are uncompetitive in many industries. No schadenfreude from this side of La Manche given UK problems but at least we are facing up to the challenge.

 

[Don Quixote]

I like the French because they are cultured and they hate the Americans.

 

[1959]

Every time I read or hear any of those pathetic English clichés about the French a) being rude or b) needing soap or even c) 'refusing' to speak English, I feel embarrassed for the person making the 'joke'.

Have you ever been down London Road, or any similar sort of street in England? Say in Runcorn, or one of the Medway Towns, or certain parts of Portsmouth? Have you ever seen the 'manners' of English people in one of the Spanish Costa resorts, or somewhere like Ayia Napa? Have you ever witnessed a newly-arrived foreigner with limited English politely asking for help from an official at, say, Victoria Station, or the bus station at Heathrow? I have and it's shameful.

I've been all over France and asked for help and spoken to the locals wherever I've been. Never once has a French official turned their back on me and walked away, but it's happened countless times here. Never once have I walked into a shop and seen the person behind the counter on the phone and refuse to get off, but it happens here. Never once have I been served by some surly, pig-ignorant tool who knows nothing about the product and couldn't give a damn, but it's happened here.

Here's what usually happens when I pass through Customs between here and in France. On the French side, the Customs person invariably wishes me a good day, politely asks for my passport, checks it out with a smile, thanks me and bids me a polite farewell. On the British side, the Customs guy usually points at me and beckons with his / her fingers, then grabs my passport and stares down. Then, they put the passport back on the counter, dismiss me with a wave without looking at me and points at the next person, all without saying a single word.

Never once have I witnessed this famous French rudeness. How do we, the English, have the sheer brass neck to label them rude?

 

[00snook]

I love France, but let's not forget the French are all cheese eating surrender monkeys.

 

[Puppet Master]

Yes they have the third largest stockpile of nuclear weapons in the world

Any chance they might detonate themselves accidentally?

 

[Gregory2Smith1]

Every time I read or hear any of those pathetic English clichés about the French a) being rude or b) needing soap or even c) 'refusing' to speak English, I feel embarrassed for the person making the 'joke'.

Have you ever been down London Road, or any similar sort of street in England? Say in Runcorn, or one of the Medway Towns, or certain parts of Portsmouth? Have you ever seen the 'manners' of English people in one of the Spanish Costa resorts, or somewhere like Ayia Napa? Have you ever witnessed a newly-arrived foreigner with limited English politely asking for help from an official at, say, Victoria Station, or the bus station at Heathrow? I have and it's shameful.

I've been all over France and asked for help and spoken to the locals wherever I've been. Never once has a French official turned their back on me and walked away, but it's happened countless times here. Never once have I walked into a shop and seen the person behind the counter on the phone and refuse to get off, but it happens here. Never once have I been served by some surly, pig-ignorant tool who knows nothing about the product and couldn't give a damn, but it's happened here.

Here's what usually happens when I pass through Customs between here and in France. On the French side, the Customs person invariably wishes me a good day, politely asks for my passport, checks it out with a smile, thanks me and bids me a polite farewell. On the British side, the Customs guy usually points at me and beckons with his / her fingers, then grabs my passport and stares down. Then, they put the passport back on the counter, dismiss me with a wave without looking at me and points at the next person, all without saying a single word.

Never once have I witnessed this famous French rudeness. How do we, the English, have the sheer brass neck to label them rude?

I do agree with you,but as you know it's customary to say "bonjour" and "au revoir" when entering and leaving a shop in France
In the UK it would seem a little odd

they still say "bonjour" to total strangers in the street,a bit like us saying "good morning" although this seems to be wearing off in the UK now

I have been victim of trolley jumping at the local supermarket here,I think it's because I speak English with my wife,they get a right shock when the Misses puts them right in a perfect regional accent

 

[Brixtaan]

I like France, with fresh bread twice a day, and markets to die for.

Ah yes, the bread, no-one has mentioned it yet but is the whole reason I fell in love with the country as a kid in the first place. Nutella is probably French too, in the early 80s it was the ultimate height of fine dining, we had nothing like it here.

 

[Questions]

The people are unwelcoming and downright rude

I agree. They kept speaking French when I went there and I hasten to add that was only for a day trip to Dieppe.

 

[Drumstick]

Best health care for money spent per person is recognised within Europe as us.

 

[Bold Seagull]

Ah yes, the bread, no-one has mentioned it yet but is the whole reason I fell in love with the country as a kid in the first place. Nutella is probably French too, in the early 80s it was the ultimate height of fine dining, we had nothing like it here.

It is French law that you are not allowed to put preservatives in bread. The idea is that you use your local shops daily to buy your fresh bread thereby retaining your sense of community. It makes sense, and is a good reason why their bread is so nice, but stale after 24 hrs!

 

[Camicus]

Any chance the French could come and run Britain for us? If you cant beat them join them Vive le France Vive la revelution

 

[Notters]

The French own less property than we do, rents are capped and they still have industry and the French tend to buy French products these are some of the reasons

Britain is the fifth biggest manufacturing nation in the world (after the US, China, Japan and Germany). France is about 8th.

 

[JCL666]

The French and their country are brilliant.

I love the fact that when something pisses them off, whether it's their own aristocracy or British beef, they don't f*** about.

Paris is great too.

That said, I prefer Italy and the Italians. They really are crazy.

 

[Beach Hut]

France is the only other country that shares America's ability to offer EVERY type of holiday to an extremely high standard. City breaks, beach holidays, skiing trips, beautiful countryside retreats - there is nothing those guys can't provide. To be honest, I see the UK as more of a backward nation every day. France is only 50 miles away, but it might as well be on another planet. The answer is simply to move there. Don't try and fight a losing battle.

Which is why I plan to retire there, lovely country

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

France is WAY more mysterious to the vast majority of Brits than Spain or Florida or Egypt.

I love the French. They don't give a shit about pandering to Brits. Unlike Germans or Scandos they don't even attempt to learn our lingo. Or if they do, they deny it to their dying breathe. Unless you meet them halfway in trying to speak French, in which case they are immediate best mates forever with you.

And their overall way of life - and willingness to down tools to defend it forever - is second to none. IMHO, like.

 

[nordicgod]

In France at the moment stayed at bolougne last night, now in Chartres for the night than off down further south tomorrow for 500 km, love the place , everyone seems very friendly and polite, anyway bonjour

 

[Brixtaan]

Britain is the fifth biggest manufacturing nation in the world (after the US, China, Japan and Germany). France is about 8th.

I find that unbelievable if true. I know we are the 7th biggest exporter (France 6th) Which is unbelievable in itself bur I just can't believe we manufacture more than Taiwan,Brazil, India, Russia to name but a few (and France for that matter)