I guess it's because I'm 1/2 French it seems that way to me. It feels like a put down to the French when people say this making the French look like rude and uncaring people.
2007-12-14 16:19:10 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I had never thought about it this way..... but yes, I can understand why you would feel it's inappropriate. I guess I'd feel the same way if I were french, or if the expression was "pardon my spanish".
My native language is spanish, and I also speak french. It's my favorite language, I've always thought of it as beautiful, romantic and elegant. And let me offer you a different point of view just for what it's worth..... and just so you know why this expression is used in other countries (can't speak about the USA or other countries but only about mine) and that it doesn't necessarily have negative implications.
I'm mexican, and in my country French things (language, food, architecture) have always been considered as the utmost expression of elegance. Our Fine arts Palace and other buildings were built in the french style and they're some of the prettiest we have. So you can say we look up to the french culture. On the other hand, we're very fond of sarcasm or irony and we like to make fun of everything and come up with funny lines for just about anything. When we curse and then say "pardon my french", it's actually an irony..... because French is ELEGANT, and you're talking everything but elegant..... so we don't do it to downgrade the french language or culture, but on the opposite, to indicate that we're not being really refined in our language. I laugh a lot when someone says this (I personally don't say it)..... because I know they're not trying to insult the frenchies. I like France and everything related to it very much.... so I can tell you that insulting frenchies is not the purpose of this expression, at least in my country!!!
2007-12-14 17:04:02 · answer #1 · answered by Lprod 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No-unfortunately, there are rude and uncaring people everywhere. I'm Italian, and the French have called some sexually transmitted diseases "The Italian Diseases" for centuries. There is a heck of a lot of history between the European countries and the American colonies that have not made any of these people angels.
Just be the good person you are and the others will get the hint.
Antonio
P. S. French was once the international diplomatic language- this is probably where this expression came from.
2007-12-14 16:35:55 · answer #2 · answered by Antonio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to say this, actually it would be rude, yes if your french and offended by it. However, It's only an expression that has been around for decades. In all the hassle of trying to be political correct, no matter how you fix it or modify it, your just going to offend someone else. Heck, not like there are bigger things to become offended over. Why don't we all just run around and not say anything at all. maybe then we can FINALLY go through life with out worrying that we are offending anyone.
2007-12-14 16:44:57 · answer #3 · answered by Wild1577 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my experience, the expression "That is so gay," is usually said in a joking manner. You ooze gayness, however, is an expression I never heard and I think it could represent an insult simply because its more personal. Another expression that cracks me up whenever I hear it is "He's as gay as pink mud," or "it's as gay as pink mud." One of my dearest friends, who happened to be gay, said it all the time (he has since passed away) and it never failed to get a laugh. There are other expressions that some gays use all the time that I wouldn't utter if you're not gay. For example, many of my friends called each other "queens" and no one took offense at it. In fact, it was considered a compliment. Of course, the PC police, in their effort to remove all humor from life, have frowned upon its usage. Which explains the trepidation both straights and gays alike have regarding any word or phrase that some thin-skinned individual will take offense at. There seem to be a lot more of them than there used to be.
2016-04-09 04:05:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This idiomatic expression is void and empty of double meaning. It could have just as easily been "Pardon My German" or "Pardon My Spanish".
You are being overly sensitive to an expression originating over 100 years ago and applying hidden meaning to it based on modern sentiment.
Actually, I just returned from France. I found the people in both Paris and in the country quite friendly and helpful. More so that what I experienced there 27 years ago.
Keep it up France, its working.
2007-12-14 16:30:42 · answer #5 · answered by Elliott J 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No... I'm not French. Besides, the French have a reputation for being rude and uncaring, or at the least, provincial!
Have a polite day.
2007-12-14 20:39:15 · answer #6 · answered by wyomugs 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I never thought of that. I have always thought that the saying was hokey... in a condenscending way. I guess it could be construed as rude toward French people. I've never said it, so I guess things are still cool with us.
2007-12-14 16:23:28 · answer #7 · answered by Shibi 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not only is it insulting but it is ignorant. Saying words like "****" and "****" and then saying "excuse my french" makes it seem like the French curse and use profanity. It also makes it seem like **** and **** are french in which it is not. "Pardon My French" should be "Excuse my dirty mouth"
2007-12-14 16:23:32 · answer #8 · answered by ♠CocoBoi♠ 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
not to me, but i am not French.
i guess if i were French i'd be insulting.
but if u say something vulgar, you should say soemthing else, such as "pardon my English" or "Pardon my German" or somethign like that...
2007-12-14 16:24:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I never thought about that..but I guess it is kind of rude. I wonder how it came to be?
2007-12-14 16:23:06 · answer #10 · answered by Stinky Feet 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋