[Atlantic Friend]

And well, we both like to generalize about each other's nation. The French (or the Germans, or the Spaniards, or the Italians) are all supposed to be this, and the Americans are all supposed to be that.

Read the comments posted by the Freepers who actually went to France, on this very thread : the people they met were, well, normal people. Welcoming people, who treated their guests well and expected to be returned the favor, who loved to talk politics and grumble about taxes or their government, who enjoyed the company of somebody who has lived abroad and yet shared their core values.

All the Frenchmen I know spent some time in the US told the same : they had met, not stereotypical Americans, but nice, congenial people, and enjoyed their company greatly, whether they sought to live in the US or to come back to France.

I hope all the Freepers who, for the last 4 years or so, made a point of making insulting jokes at every opportunity (including some really tasteless ones) or engaged into similar kinds of slur will reflect upon these personal experiences by fellow members. The people they mocked, insulted and ridiculed are the ones who would have welcomed them the way other members were welcomed. and the same goes for my countrymen who engaged in similar behavior.

In the end, who did the most to further the cause of Conservatism and Western civilization ? Those who divided us through slur and insults, or those who brought us together through simple things like respect and personal contact ? I guess we all know the answer to that one.

[nocarrier]

Well said. As a native québécois in the united states, i’ve always been frustrated with the generalizations towards my french cousins on FR. thanks for sharing, good post. ;)

[Cincinna]

Thank you for your excellent observation.

All of us who have spent time in France and know French people, well know they are decent, hardworking, gracious, hospitable people.

So many French people, especially young people, have visited the US and bring home memories of a great time, and friendly, wonderful Americans.

If we believe what the MSM tells us, we would accept that all are Americans are like the ones they stereotype, and all the French hate America, hate American culture , and all the other ugly things I read. Mostly, I might add, written by people who have never set foot in France, and have never shaken the hand of a French man , woman or child.