Why do you think in the USA it is considered an insult to be referred to as "French"?

Question

Blakenwit: It is your opinion, there's nothing wrong with that

Offkey: I wish you were correct and it was that simple, I believe that there was an undercurrent of dislike even before the Iraq War. My shorthand version is that it seems Americans summing up history may think the French could never be depended on in a fight.

Answer 1

Although for a long time I sensed an undercurrent of disdain for France way back when France was trying hard to be the dominant NATO voice. Many Americans viewed these policy differences akin to ingratitude... for American sacrifice and reconstruction that freed and rebuilt France from the ravages of world war II. This growing penchant of France not to support USA initiatives to contain communism worldwide and to actively promote it's own idea of hegemony with them was not only a big disappointment. To the macho Americans these actions verge on being sissy. So perhaps it's these same Americans that get insulted being referred to as French, because that would be like telling them they look effete.

On the other hand, it could be simply a matter of national pride. Same reaction you get when you mistook a Puerto Rican as Mexican. Try that sometimes...

Answer 2

In recent years, when France pointedly withheld support from the American intervention in Iraq, a section of the American population, particularly several members of Congress, renamed French fries "freedom fries". More generally, Americans with conservative social values see the French as too liberal ("immoral") in their approach to social questions. On the other hand there are many admirers of French literature and thought: Balzac, Flaubert, Zola, Proust, and others. Hemingway and Fitzgerald got their literary start in Paris. Montesquieu was a significant influence in the shaping of the American Constitution: separation of powers. And during the American Revolution, France gave crucial naval and other assistance. Benjamin Franklin lived for many years in France, and Jefferson for several years: both admired France. So "French" as a term of insult is but a part of the story and applies only to the attitudes of some Americans. Incidentally, because of their historical rivalry, the English are skeptical of the French and the French of the English.

Answer 3

I'm French, and I think it's because our President disagreed with Bush's decision to attack Iraq. Afterwards, the media just decided to show bad images of France. Mind you: I'm not saying the French are perfect. But the thing is, Germany disagreed as well. And most countries also disagreed. Actually, pretty much everybody in the world (I'm not talking about governments) disagreed with his decision. So I don't see why our country took all the blame for that.

For them, the French "surrender". That's what they remember from WWII. Although it's true that we were invaded by Hitler's troups, we still had people fighting against them. Granted, it was small. But still... And anyway. It's totally unrelated.

As for Dove: my government may be a bit pissed off because USA is the biggest power in the world, but it's not true of the French population. The French (I'm not talking about military men who, according to you, sent American boys on suicide missions -never heard of that, but it wouldn't surprise me) didn't know anything about Americans, until you came to fight against Hitler. And we were thankful for that. The massive "hatred" against the French began at the beginning of the war in Iraq.

And, by the way, I just read on a British newspaper that some guy in the Bush administration blamed the war in Iraq on the Brits! He clamed that Blair should have told them that what they were doing was wrong. As if they couldn't see it by themselves! When I read it, I couldn't believe it, all the more because pretty much every other country in the world told them that what they were doing was wrong, and that even NATO said that, but Bush just ignored them. So...

And I agree with Tirumalai: the English and the French have been rivals for ages. However, I feel that there are more English people who don't like the French than the other way round. We honestly have nothing against the British anymore. It's funny because, when French people think about English people, we tend to think about gentlemen and things like that (except for the football hooligans), ideals which actually have mostly disappeared now (I live in England).

Magpie: I agree. For some close-minded people who see the world in black and white, it's the case. But we also have dumb people in France who probably think that all Americans are obese, watch stupid programs, violent, not very clever, etc. Stupidity is spread evenly in the world, unfortunately!

Answer 4

I may get "blackballed" for saying this but I just need to say it...lets think of how to do it nicely...

The French wisely refused to engage in war against Iraq. Americans, and I am an American, seem to hate anything that may represent wisdom, patience, self control, forgiveness...these qualities the French have shown are greatly insulting to abrupt, impatient, foolish Americans and they show us up for being this way.

If a country makes us look bad, we hate them...simple as that.

OK So bad answer, insulting and rude but true! Nothing feels better than saying the truth even if I should go to jail for it. The worst Yahoo can do is delete my account!

Answer 5

The French have always been difficult. The USA had to fight the French Government during WW II before we could save their worthless azzes. Then after we liberated them, they spit on us. The French supported going to war against Saddam Insane until the USA sent troops-then they chickened out, and said that the USA was the aggressive warmongers.
If Islam is the refuse of the world, then the France is the refuse of Western society.

Answer 6

Because we have had a long, somewhat bitter history with the French. Ever since we sided with the British against them and Napoleon, they've disliked us. That's why they would send out guys over the trenches during World War One on suicide missions. And the bitterness has grown throughout the years, as we can all see.

Answer 7

I honestly don't know why "Frisco" is derogatory. My guess was always because there's a city in Texas called "Frisco", and San Franciscans tend to not like Texas (myself included). I also always had my suspicions that it was for religious reasons... "San Francisco" means "Saint Francis (of Assisi)", and to Catholics (who SF traditionally has a lot of) calling a saint by a crass nickname is like calling God "G" or Jesus "J-Dawg" (my grandmother, who was very Catholic, always despised "Frisco", which is why I came up with that theory). Other than that...??? Probably something long ago that just stuck. No one seems to know. It's kinda stupid... it's just a word. That said, I'll sometimes write "San Fran" instead of "San Francisco", and I'll sometimes call the city "Saint Francis". So I really don't care. Though I think calling it "the city" is retarded. As for "Cali"... that just sounds stupid. The only people who ever call California "Cali" are Southern Californians, which would explain why San Franciscans hate it.

Answer 8

It is factually incorrect to call certain (most) people in the USA "French," but to take it as an insult implies a high level of silly chauvinism or a low level of savoir faire - pardon my French.

Answer 9

I don't care if somebody calls me French, the French are just people...

Answer 10

Beacause in the ww2 France is surrendered.

but dont believe in hollywood !!! russia fight more than eeuu and they dont say nothing.