Why do the Americans and the French have a love hate relationship?

Question

I never really understood why. I gotta admit though...I'm dating the French teacher at the University and when she puts down my fellow patriots...I can't help but to shove a "sock" in her mouth.

Answer 1

Basically the French have a love-hate relationship with most countries.

The French tend to see themselves as above all reproach, mainly because of their cusine, and artistic endevors.

The truth of the matter is that it is routed in arrogance more than anything else. A perfect example was that when my grandfather's unit was racing into Paris to liberate it in 1944, they were told to wait until the Free French Forces could arrive, so that they were the first in.

After the war, the French immeadiately went into production of nuclear weapons to make sure they were considered a "superpower".

This is the same group of "people" that recently desecrated US military graves to protest the Iraq war. The graves of the very men who fought to give them freedom again from Nazi occupation.

I saw that the third times a charm - when Germany invades next time, we should "mind our own business" as the French seem to be so quick to tell us to do in foreign affairs.

Oh, and be sure to tell your girlfriend that Italy won the World Cup. ;-)

Answer 2

There have been many altercations between the US and France throughout history. Some small, some large.
Despite these, I think the main cause of the tension is an ego problem.
The US started out as a small nation needing their help against Britain. It soon rose to a 'superpower' and overshadowed France, who until then was one of 3 superpowers in the world. Then it was on and off between the two countries until WW2. That was the straw that broke the camels back. I don't think they ever got over the fact that the US had to pull them out of German control and free their country for them. That and De Gaulle's political party went against the beliefs of Roosevelt at the time.
Since then, it has only gotten worse.
They also have considerable reservations about the U.S. economic system, culture, and justice system. A constant point of friction is the perception by the French public that the U.S. has too great an influence on their country.

Answer 3

I agree with most of the others. But I think it goes back to the French and Indian War horrible atrocities were perpetrated by both sides. Which started the hate on our part. The next stage was the love part when France helped us defeat the English in the revolutionary war we tried to be grateful but the French only did it to inflict damage to the English.

The French revolution marked a new philosophy still accepted in Continental europe. Egality instead of equality. The French revolution sowed the seeds of a new nationalistic philosophy where the purpose of the individual was to serve the state. As opposed to the Anglo-American philosophy that the purpose of the state is to protect the rights of the individual.

The Franco-German philosophy of the all powerful state, has given the world, Napolean, Lenin, Hitler, Stalin, to name but a few.

The bottom line is we don't share a common set of values with most of the rest of the world other than the UK, and Austrailia. If you notice they are usually the only two countries that stand with us most of the time. I guess its the Magna Charter and Free Enterpize vs The French Revolution and Communism.

Answer 4

That "Revolution" thing is a smokescreen. The Frogs only helped us out to get back at the British, with whom they have a hate-hate relationship that goes back to Henry II and his French breach-diving among the royal princesses of Louis' court.
They hate Americans for the same reason most of the rest of the world does ... we are arrogant, superior bastards with the toughest army, the baddest air force, the best technology, the most powerful economy, and the most idiotic politicians on the planet.
What's not to hate.
So it's not just the Frogs, it's the Limeys, the Krauts, the Eyetais, the Ragheads, the Slants, the Gooks, the Canadarians, the Wetbacks (and other beaners) ... basically, the whole planet.
Get over it.

Answer 5

The French are an awkward race of people, never really liking anyone else but themselves. We English have had a hate/hate relationship with the French for centuries. The French upset the Australians too, in the 90's by doing nuclear testing in the South Pacific. They are anarchists, basically.
You need to ask your French girlfreind why she puts down the Americans. Only she can answer that.

Answer 6

I don't mean to offend anybody, but I'm afraid that I can't think of any nation that doesn't have a love-hate relationship with the US. The main cause of this is to be found in US foreign policy since the end of World War 2. Recently, sadly, things have taken a turn for the worse as the US is isolating itself from even its most fervent supporters. In many cases, mostly due to ignorance this takes the form of hostility towards US citizens as many tend to blame individuals for the acts carried out by their government. It's a pitty, but it doesn't need to be that way. A better understanding of eachother, respect and a lot of patience are the only cure. Best of luck.

Answer 7

It dates all the way back to the American Revolution, when France "helped" the colonies. France cared nothing for America, and the only reason they helped was because of their hatred for the British. They looked down on us even then, we were most likely " traitors" in their eyes, and backwards colonists with no history. The animosity started immediately afterward.

Answer 8

The generalization that the French are full of themselves causes people to see the French in a negative light. So does supplying terrorists whatever they need.

Answer 9

I don't think the french get a long with anyone. it's all about feeling superior. The french think they're better than everyone else. I laugh when my friend say the french aren't racist--all I do is point to the reports of race riots of recent years.

Answer 10

it all goes back to the American Rev. the French helped the Colonies against England, And after Washington was President he declined to help with the French Rev.