Why do Americans hate France so much?

Question

I was browsing through Y!A and stumbled upon this little question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070920145758AAmuG8a&r=w&pa=EJFyD3bpBV_MdvjDf6rs4yNiWjpIRlTvR3SxRkJ289VwkWZbr1ay2QgBzA--&paid=deleted_answer#answers

Why do Americans have such animosity towards the French, (even to the point where they distort history to villify them)? In England we make fun of them occassionally in the press and on television. Myself and other Britons even have friends across the channel. But we don't publish falsehoods about them in our history books or intentionally teach lies about them in our schools. (That's the only way I could see the asker of the mentioned question coming to the conclusions he had about France).

I just want to know what Americans think. You're not all like that are you?

Answer 1

Just so you know, you're going to get reemed by all the Red Necks, Conservatives, and Republicans for posting anything negative about the USA. (Judging by some of the answers you received, you already did)

FYI, you shouldn't generalize any one group. Not all Americans are xenophobic hate mongers, and actually admire or like the French. We all have our differences, and things did reach a boiling point up to the start of Iraq War (which we now know is a complete farce), but by now things have cooled down, and many Americans are actually OK with France, especially seeing that America was wrong about Iraq to begin with.

Don't feel bad about the @ssholes who insulted you and your country ( kjh4129 ). Not all Americans are as ignorant and bigoted as that. (And judging from his profile, his Y!A account has been suspended more than once).

There's only one thing you need to know. A LOT of Americans, especially conservative ones, have a very childish love for their country (BuckeyeGirl, Spoken M, etc). If anyone criticizes it in anyway (even constructively), they view it as an insulting affront and an attack, and they'll attack back viciously just as savage little children always do.

We don't all hate, it's only a few who give us a bad name.

Peace.

Answer 2

plenty human beings disliked France before the midsection east. apart from France's resistance to assisting with Iraq in an attempt to maintain their efficient oil re-sell contracts, France has a history of no longer being plenty help on the international point. to no longer point out united statesa. is a decendent of england, and the Brits and French have an prolonged history of hating one yet another. additionally the French do no longer bathe in many situations sufficient by utilising American social standards. And France won't in any respect attack the U. S.....France does not have the braveness to do it LMAO. resign carriers French have no backbone.

Answer 3

"You're not all like that are you?"

No, we're not all like one idiot who posts on Y/A. And you should know better than to believe such crap.

I guess if I posted a question about how awful Canada was, you'd be posting a question asking why all Americans hate Canada. LOL!!!

Anyone can post on Y/A, and that includes a lot of idiots who want to stir the pot. France has been one of our oldest allies since we became a country. In fact, their treaty with us back in the 1700's, gave us legitimacy, since we were no one, and they were one of the Superpowers of the day. Maybe they did it to spite England, but I don't care.

France is the only major, large country in Western Europe that we've never been to war with.

We've been friends with France for over 200 years. And in that time, you're going to have some disagreements. The fact that they didn't back us in the war in Iraq (they did back us in Afghanistan) plays to the idiots who believe that the Iraq war was the right thing, so go figure with those idiots.

And any idiots who believe that France hasn't done anything for us, read up a bit on Lafayette. Then come back to me with your tail between your legs. Humbled, but hopefully, a little wiser. Our modern day U.S politicians don't speak for the alliance we've had with France for 200+ years. Nor will they do anything to break it.

Answer 4

ANY WHERE YOU GO, ANY WHERE IN THE WORLD, there are liars and distorters of the truth (which to me means they are lying). Many of my ancestors came from the British Isles; many came from France, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands...
When I visited France, the people there were, for the most part, just going on with their lives. No one was ever rude or obnoxious (Americans could learn a lesson from Europeans!) A few were very friendly, asking about America. I drove my car, with U.S. of A. plates, and one hitchhiker kidded me, asking me how I drove across the Atlantic!
I read that Y! Q & A; I can't believe the ignorance of some people!
France had done a lot for the U.S.; they have also been our enemies (French and Indian Wars). When I was stationed in South Korea, there were French soldiers (and more than 30 other nations stationed there). We had help fighting against the Japanese, particularly from the Philippines and Australia.
I'm sorry, guess that person just had a bad day, or felt like lashing out.
Me, I am constantly amazed by the wonders of ALL the various countries, coultures, and ways of life.
Oh, yeah! I love French pastries! German & Swiss candies, but French pastries! And their Metro in Paris!

Answer 5

This veteran appreciates the French people.
I'm also aware that the French are what helped create this country in the first place when they blocked the English in at Hampton Roads giving George Washington the opportunity to encircle the English and cause the surrender at Yorktown.
We have been friends with the French anyway, it's just the crazed right wingers in this country who don't like the French because they didn't support this war in Iraq like just about everyone else on the planet, including me and seventy percent of the rest of the United States.
thanks

Answer 6

I don't know what lies you are talking about but it sounds like you want to distort history to meet your needs and agenda. The fact is that just as we saved you by intervening and affording the Lend Lease option to you. Yes we did Madam, Yes we Did.... You would most definitely have been lost to Hitler if we had not shored you up when we did at the time that we did because you Begged us to as your economy and war machine was virtually depleted and Hitler was prepared to launch an invasion across the English Channel. We supplied the loaned Men and Materials to restore Britain's fighting capability to oppose Hitler before we entered the war ourselves in December of 1941. Is that a Lie????
We saved France from 2 world wars, shored up their economy with direct intervention twice, Have supplied aid numerous times and moral support, Repaired their physical country and infrastructure at the cost of Billions under the Marshall plan as we did England only to suffer abuse and indignity perpetually as we often do from ignorant ingrates like you . I know as I have lived in France and Britain both so get your "facts" straight lady....
The French are the most Repulsive, Repugnant and Reprehensible people I've ever had to deal with in all my travels and encounters anywhere in the world.
I think everything about there alleged culture is a sham. Their food is Monkeybutt. Their wine is Horse Piss, Their women are bred from certified Primate stock. They can't engineer a Rubberband plane let alone a car or even a toaster worth a plug fricken nickel........They can't get along with anyone at all. If you listen to their language being spoken you feel like you accidently walked into group therapy session of Tourets victims............

Answer 7

Certain Americans which I will not single out just look for anyone they can hate for any reason however frivolous it may be. Some believe that everyone must support the same ideas, and those who do have a great deal of animosity toward conflicting view points. These are usually also the most arrogant and least educated people within the country and this hostility is a reflection of a lack of knowledge.

Answer 8

Very few of us hate France. The educated majority in the USA wish France good luck.

Answer 9

I have been to France several times and in parts they were fine but they always had an attitude but when they had that demonstration to have the American graves removed that was to much they have short memories we have saved their bacon in 2 world wars when they surrendered and spent billions to rebuild their country I think they are embarrassed that we bailed them out so they act as if it never happened but I have news for them Its in the History Book's we lost a lot of Americans to save their *** and no matter how they denie it it a Fact

Answer 10

I've encountered VERY few Americans who hate France. Many, including myself, like to poke at the French who have great national pride. Of course I also enjoy seeing Americans with excessive nationalistic tendencies baited and lambasted. Some of the best anti-French humor comes from the UK. That doesn't mean I think Brits "hate" the French...it is just a case of each group thinking themselves superior to the other.

As for inaccuracies in text books, if you encounter any I urge you to contact the publisher with documentary evidence. Most of the publishers I've dealt with strongly detest publishing textbooks containing inaccuracies.