Would YOU visit & spend your money in France?

[jsalba]

Just a question.

What I perceive as a huge slap in the face to America by France, their lack of any type of support toward us bewilders me.

It was recently on the news that Paris remains the #1 city to visit or vacation to (something like that).

What I'm wondering is this..

#1. Do you believe America has been slapped in the face by France?

#2. Would you still visit France and spend your American and/or Canadian dollars there?


I wouldn't.

[FUNdamental]

The French, as a society, have always spewed specious logic motivated by their extreme chauvinistic perspectives and philosophies. Their actions today are no different than what history has displayed for the past 400 years.

[AndersonGal]

#1~HECK YES!

#2~Not likely. But I have never had a strong desire to visit France. There are so many other places on my list.

[doglover22]

I know that France does not seem to be very supportive of the US, but I would still go there. I would not be visiting for the government, but for the history. I have wanted to go to France since I was in high school (although the UK is my first chioce). If I had the opportunity to go there, I would. I know that there are probably a lot of people who disagree with me, but that is just my little opinion.

[mayor]

I would think twice before visiting France. At least in the past they have been somewhat thankful that we have rescued their butts. I say to heck with their wine and cheese and Perrier. Like we really need it?

MAyor


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[jeskibuff]

Paris, (in my opinion) is THE most beautiful city I've ever visited. I'd go back in a minute and spend money there.

Up until a couple weeks ago, I was considering a ski trip to the French Alps with some friends, but decided against it, mainly because it was too late in the season (after Easter) and the air fares were ridiculous (over $800 RT). I'll go to Colorado instead. I wouldn't have had any problems with spending my tourist dollars there (France).

While I find it offensive that they "slapped America in the face", there are people worldwide doing the same thing, including many Americans who will just hate Bush no matter what he does. If he goes after terrorists, he's a warmonger. If he doesn't and a large city goes up in a nuclear cloud, he would have "stupidly ignored the danger signs" and didn't do enough to protect Americans. He gets the blame no matter what he does. I applaud him for keeping to his course despite the ridicule from every direction.

Some people just don't know what's good for them - they only see the immediate: "focus on the economy - I need a job". There are about 3,000 people who died on 9/11 that probably would have preferred being laid off rather than being incinerated in a skyscraper. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

My experience with the French has been good. I think that when you're in their country as a tourist, they just want respect. France gets trampled every year with thousands (maybe millions?) of tourists who plop down their money and want to be treated as if they're at Disney World. Just watch a season of "Amazing Race" to see how Americans treat people in their native countries. They're offended because the people don't speak English! How arrogant! I tried learning rudimentary French for my last visit over there. I think they're like many other people in this world - if you show them some respect, you'll get some in return. If you're rude, they'll be rude right back to you.

As far as what their leaders say and do, that's a matter of politics. Leaders want to look strong and independent in front of their countrymen. Look at Turkey. The leaders for the most part know what a danger their neighbor Iraq is. The populace is largely Muslim, with strong religious ties to fellow Muslims in Iraq. On the surface the leaders have shown resistance to America - probably to show the people that they are not puppets of the U.S. Deep down, the leaders know the dangers of Iraq and will welcome the disintegration of the Hussein regime. There are many more factors, especially economic, but I'm not out to write a book here.


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[telos2000]

Let's all give up French Fries, eclairs, French bread, French kissing, and any other frog thing you can up with! Whadda ya say?

[hrdlife1]

what really upsets me is that these are MY people! people i am descended from! i mean i still have FAMILY in france, my grandmother and great grandmother came over from france to america, i have cousins, uncles, aunts, etc. etc. etc. there that i talk to if not daily, weekly!...and this is a HUGE slap in the face to ME personally....i was watching all of this on fox news this morning and was just FLOORED...i could not believe it....

like my husband said, wouldn't it be quite ironic if saddam dropped a bomb right then and there on all those protesters in france....bet that would change their attitude REALLY quick and they'd be SCREAMING for the U.S. to help them

this saddens my heart more than you'll ever know...because on this i am completely torn...it hits me on a personal level because i have family there and this is my COUNTRY (USA) that they refuse to help defend OR support...this is a hard one


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[Pipanella]

Originally posted by jeskibuff
I think they're like many other people in this world - if you show them some respect, you'll get some in return. If you're rude, they'll be rude right back to you.

I have to disagree, Jeff. I have been in France twice, and my experiences were not good. I am a very friendly person, love to meet others from other cultures and countries, and the people I encountered there were nothing but rude. Maybe just bad luck, I'm not sure. However, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

After my first experience, I sought out a pen pal from France, because I was sure that not all French people were this way, and I wanted to meet someone that wasn't. Fortunately, I found a lovely woman name Marie that I corresponded with for many years. Though she was a wonderful lady, I still feel, as a whole, the French people think they are above most, and don't feel one bit bad about behaving that way.


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[tlspiegel]

I'm with you Pippy. Steph... don't take offense at this please: I visited the entire country when I went overseas and was major unimpressed. In addition - I don't want to get into the anti-semeticism issue, but it's there and there in spades.

The people were rude, pompous, and extremely unfriendly. I'm considered to be an outgoing friendly easy-going person, and I couldn't wait to leave the country. Would never go back.

Originally posted by Pipanella


I have to disagree, Jeff. I have been in France twice, and my experiences were not good. I am a very friendly person, love to meet others from other cultures and countries, and the people I encountered there were nothing but rude. Maybe just bad luck, I'm not sure. However, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

After my first experience, I sought out a pen pal from France, because I was sure that not all French people were this way, and I wanted to meet someone that wasn't. Fortunately, I found a lovely woman name Marie that I corresponded with for many years. Though she was a wonderful lady, I still feel, as a whole, the French people think they are above most, and don't feel one bit bad about behaving that way.


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[snooze14]

I took a trip to Paris several years ago.

I would never go back.

The dollar exchange was horrible. We couldn't even afford to eat.

The worst part of the trip was the people were so rude. They hate Americans and they showed it. I was told if we were to wear a Canadian pin then we would have been treated better.


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[3tbear]

jeskibuff, I totally agree with you on Paris, if you respect the people there, they respect you back. That goes for anywhere in the world. I've never had a bad experience in Paris, never.

I've visited Paris, France 6 times and I wouldn't hesitate to go again. It's like a second home to me. I feel very comfortable there, pretty much know my way around, the people have been very cordial to me, of course, I make it a point to try and speak their language even 'though I'm awful at it. But, they do appreciate my efforts. My DH and I also have friends who live just outside of Paris. Now, if you're going to speak English in a foreign country such as France, don't expect the people to treat you well. The French do like us contrary to what some people think. Just don't think you're going to speak English in their country, it's just not the proper thing to do. Consider this, would you want someone from France visiting America to just speak French here and no English? It's the same thing. If you respect the French and their customs, the French people will like you. We've never had a problem. Paris is very romantic, it has great museums, really great food, shows, is great for photo opportunities, and France has some gorgeous old chateaus which if you go you should take a side trip to visit. Viva La France!!! Don't get me started again, I just love the place!


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[Pipanella]

Originally posted by 3tbear
Now, if you're going to speak English in a foreign country such as France, don't expect the people to treat you well. The French do like us contrary to what some people think. Just don't think you're going to speak English in their country, it's just not the proper thing to do. Consider this, would you want someone from France visiting America to just speak French here and no English?

3tbear, I find that attitude to be just why the French have such a reputation for being unfriendly and rude. The fact is, a great deal of French people DO know how to speak English, but not a lot of Americans know how to speak French.

So you are saying that whenever people visit a foreign country, it is expected that you know how to speak their language? If you are going to be staying there for an extended period of time, yes, I agree, it would be helpful and considerate to learn a little bit of the language, but when you are going as a tourist? WOW. How many tourists would France have if that was a requirement in order to be treated nicely? Or any other country, for that matter?

Let's see, if I take a trip to the Scandinavian countries, am I expected to learn Finnish, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian? I don't think so. Nor do I think that they expect that from their foreign visitors.

The French DO have a reputation for being rude and unfriendly. Why is that?

I think when people are tourists here, for the most part, people do try to be helpful and friendly, regardless of whether they speak English or not. Remember, I'm talking about tourists, not residents, exchange students, or other long-term visitors.


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[tasker109]

as i posted in my "letter from bosnia" i am not a fan of france either...it is very obvious they are anti american....

[tlspiegel]

Excuse me... I've been all over Europe, Greece, and Israel, including Mexico. NOT one of the 15 countries I visited in Europe treated me like I was treated in France. And guess what? I didn't learn any of the languages prior to going over. I'm sorry to disagree with you 3t but... saying something so blatant as this statement is untrue. I don't know where you got your information, but it's not fact.

Originally posted by 3tbear
Now, if you're going to speak English in a foreign country such as France, don't expect the people to treat you well.

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