What has caused the negative connotation of the French in the US?

Question

Why do many Americans take on a negative view of the French people? Please explain your answer (i.e. "9/11" is not a good answer).

Answer 1

Relying upon the impressions of others, especially the media.

People are people; it's the media that has skewered our view of our fellow 18th/19th century revolutionaries.

Remember "Freedom Fries?"

Go to France, experience the people for yourself, and then you can make an educated decision about how you feel about the French.

BTW, just like many people in America will not talk to you if you do not speak English, expect the same treatment if you do not learn even a little bit of French. Show some effort in reaching out to them, and they shall respond in kind.

'Nuff said!

Answer 2

Several reasons!! And it's not just Americans that have a negative connotation of the French. They are known for being arrogant, unfriendly, rude, and unapproachable. However, I have TWO very close friends who are from France, and they are FAR from any of those things. They are some of the most pleasant people to be around. It's just stereotyping.

Answer 3

When American's travel oversea's the French are seen as rude and unwelcoming. I have never been, but that is the general feeling. The fact that Jacques Chirac openly protested America's War in Iraq when it was at it's height of popularity in America is the icing on the cake. That gave American's the feeling that the French were cowards and were ingrateful for everything we had done to help secure the safety of the world since WW II.

Answer 4

I blame television. Some shows portray French people speaking
poorly of Americans because of the past wars both countries were involved in. So Americans see this and think France does not like America, so we don't have to like them either.

Answer 5

maybe because french are democratic and civilised and express their opinion about the wars for "global security"(this made me laugh!) that the USA has caused! you know, not every nation in the world MUST support America! ok the USA have power, but that does not mean that they are right! you judge a nation without even going to the country,or meeting french people. i'm not french, but i've met french and like every place in the world you can find bad and good people.

Answer 6

The French are considered cowards in the US. They have no backbone and would not support the US even though we have bailed them out of a lot of situations in the past. Also, they had some dealings with the Middle East in the oil business that were questionable.

Answer 7

In my experience the only people who dislike the French are the blue-collar redneck types who enjoy high-testosterone activities like NASCAR racing and professional "wrestling." A culture that prides itself on sophistication will not tend to appeal to these types. On the other hand I would say the French do alienate themselves a little with their snobby attitude.

Answer 8

We bailed the French out in WW2. We rebuilt their country. They thanked us by supporting the Viet Cong in Vietnam. They have borrowed billions from the U.S. and never repaid. Now, they refuse to support us in matters of global security. France is a pimple on the buttocks of the Western World, and has the largest population of displaced Muslims of any nation in Europe. Hope the whole place burns to the ground.

Answer 9

I wish I could help... I understand what you mean though. I was the same way until I went to Paris in april. The people there are some of the most wonderful people I have ever had the pleasure of comming across.

Answer 10

Because France advised against starting the Iraq War they were belittled as being chicken sheets by the government of the United States and by its puppets at Fox News, NBC, MSNBC, and the radio industry. It never has been wise to alienate your friends, especially when they try to give you good advice...advice which the US would have been better off heeding.