Posted on 03/06/2014 10:01:48 PM PST by Slings and Arrows
How odd.
In the 1970s, I went to France for a year as an exchange student. It was the best year of my life. I loved France and the French.
I was introduced to an old man who had been in occupied territory during WWII. While he told us of the difficulties of that time, the indignities the French townspeople suffered at the hands of the German occupiers, and of their joy at being liberated by the Americans, he broke down in tears. He was grateful to me, a 17 year old girl, for what American soldiers had done a generation before my birth. I felt awkward, because I really had nothing to do with those soldiers’ actions.
I have been told that northern part of France is traditionally unfriendly...I don’t have a lot to compare it against.
I will say this: I think most people in most places are decent. If you can get to know them, and get them to know you, it’s all good.
I do enjoy poking fun a the French for various things, but it is the play with stereotypes.
But, I am not kidding when I said I felt unwelcome in THAT particular French city...
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