Are some Americans mad at the french for some reason?
342791
Americans are angry at the French because of the Oil for Food scandal.  The French refused to back the Iraqi War, and used all of their power to prevent the UN Security Council from doing anything about Iraq.\n\nBut in the aftermath of the war, information revealed mass amounts of corruption with French officials and the "Oil for Food" program.  Essentially France, Germany, and a few other nations had officials who were working with the Oil for Food program and syphoning money out illegally.\n\nSo people are angry at France for their lack of support over perceived economic interests.
1183711
I have no connection with Target, but there is a definite flavor of their animosity to American "patriotic" organizations, such as AMVETS, American Legion, and even the Salvation Army Santa Claus (Christmas) collectors.\n   Their French ownership actions "appear" to smell of anti-Americanism.\n   Be warned, and good luck.
826272
I am european, but I am a frequent visitor to america.\n\nI think that americans are generally unaware of how much they are manipulated by their politicians in terms of what they think is normal.\n\nAmerican culture is in itself militarised.  In Europe we laugh about how every worker in america has to have a uniform...and badges...and a batman type utility belt....\n\nWe also are amused at how every emergency is met by throwing as many uniformed people at it as possible.  This was beautifully parodied in 'The Blues Brothers' with all the SWATS going 'huck...huck...huck..while abseiling.\n\nAmerica is still a young culture, and the rest of the world still see it as a country full of people who are impressed by childish things, so the militarisation of your police departments is not slow...it is painfully and amusingly obvious to everyone but americans.
638690
Bonjour\n\nHmm I don't think I'm able to speak on behalf of all us English (despite their please for me to ascend to the throne). However the French have a mixed reputation over here - they are seen as cultured, good food, good wine, fine fashions, great lifestyle...however they are seen as a bit too quick to hold Europe hostage whenever they have an internal labour dispute (think tractors blocking ferry ports, air traffic control on strike). We've been quite jealous of their soccer success in recent times. We don't think you're much good at wars. You and Germany are trying to centralise and control Europe. We don't like Chirac and we were all very happy when we won the 2012 Olympics. You have very cheap houses. Your employment laws are a bit strange (especially this whole idea of not being able to make people redundant). You tend to be a bit introspective and sulky (think Albert Camus - although I don't believe he was French born). We don't like the way you try to make everyone speak French (Olympics, FIFA etc) when everyone else in the world seems to want to speak English - even your own Government had to legislate to protect your language I believe. You're well educated. Your economy is struggling (but is in better shape than the Germans). \n\nOK those are my off the cuff comments. Hope that helps.\n\nAu revoir\n\nPS Paris is startlingly dirty!
731998
Are you Irish, by any chance? ;-)\nI'm only asking because the exact same pattern is universal here.\nPeople are too cowardly to stand up for their rights, and then they blame the person with enough guts for any repercussions, real or imagined, that might ensue from a complaint.\nI do think that a large part of it is the embarassment that they were not able to do it themselves.\n\nGermans and French complain all the time, no such problems there.
581147
everything you have said is true, fair enough i'm guessing by the smug superiority of your question that your possibly european of some description... \nits hardly fair to call america backwards... they are a bit mad, bigotted and obsessed with thier own self importance though and theres the obvious stupidity that will always be associated with the fact that they elected not one... two bush's
117558
First -Jealousy over what we have and what we don't have but is thought that we have. Example many foreigner come from overseas and are bowled over by the myriad taxes and realize our incomes aren't close to being what they seem. They call us greedy but come over here to share in the greed.   Secondly--, companies that can be ruthless have taken advantage of poorer nations and instill anger while we are used to that tactic here and are prepared for it. Thirdly--, US is powerful and is seen instead as a bully by some. Also our strenght is an embarrassment to others - example France has never been thrilled that US saved it from Nazi Germany.. Fourth--, Because of its strength US is asked to take sides in conflicts and if is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't. Fifth- because we look different and people don't like people who don't look like them. Just like US is afraid of Arabs at their ports, so others don't like white people in their own backyards either. ... there are a million more reason...
515314
This attitude comes from being a very large well develped country, which has progressively bred a disturbing level of arrogance.\n\nBasically, America is drunk on its own hype.
1124389
I've been to many countries visiting and working. I have never, ever ran into someone who said they hated Americans. I even met some French people last year and talked to them. They said they loved Americans. It's the news pointing out the negative only as always. What country have you been to lately?
475602
Some of the people expressing their thoughts before me has forgotten where their ancestors were from and the ways they got to the USA. Others probably don't know thanks to whom they could eat a salad this morning that they paid a few cents for. A couple of them probably just said "bye bye" to the contractors they hired for a half of the market hour rate to remodel their house and finally could seat by the computer and criticize a little bit the immigrants. What can I say? God Bless America!\nPS: As a Polish legal, but a non-citizen US immigrant, I maybe should not even use my right to free speech here, since some of you said I don't have one. I'm sorry. It won't happen again.
180972
because they are french
701225
Why do you Americans have such little pride in your Nation? Do you not realise how much derision you attract from Europe because of your enthusiasm for fools and bigots like the Bushes and Regan?\nNone of these would go far in any European country
918390
No one really knows why they were called french fries in the first place, since they were invented in America.  It is very obvious we had them longer than the french, just walk down a city street in america and try to find a girl to pick up, then do the same thing in france!  I will bet you anything the french girl will get picked up first, mainly because her legs won't make noise from rubbing together when she walks.  And as far as hypocrites go, look who leads our country!  He has a campaign against drugs, yet did cocaine, and he is pondering starting a draft, when he himself went awol during the Nam.  now that i have said that, i realize how sad we are, i think i'm goign to move!  how hard is it to get a visa in France?
724169
I don't get mad, I get sad....the United States has in the past been seen as the land of opportunity. During the cold war, all European nations were thrilled with our involvement and power. Now that there is no other super power, we are seen as the enemy to all...the power that made us there ally now is viewed as a negative.\n\nI personally think that America has enough problems in out own backyard with homland security and poverty within our borders that we should stop looking overseas to fight anyone else's battles. who made us the Policemen of the world? That is why wer are hated.
784529
You're cute to ask this question. I also feel bad about reading such insulting comments. I think that there are very mixed feeling between French and American people. I read that this sometimes difficult relationship is due to the fact that both countries have a more universalist culture than others, which explains that international positions are very important in both countries and that opposition between them is often very harsh.\n\nI think criticizing each other can be a mean to improve for both countries, but only if everybody recognize the qualities of the other and if people stop insulting each other. Insults are just stupid and useless
868210
Nice joke, it never gets old pinging on the french. Polisci the french didn't really want to help the colonies they just hated the Brits but couldn't declare war on them due to lack of political correctness however they did have a considerable stake in the new world. Thus, having the colonies write the declaration of independence they could legitimize coming to the aid of a sovereign nation, furthermore protecting their stake. Free colonies would put a sizable gap (landwise) between britain and the french claim. Thereby using us as shields for their land knowing that britain wouldn't have the strength to fight through the americans and be able to maintain the battle when they reached french lands. If the colonies stayed british then the french would have had a larger problem given that the brits are next door. hurray for the brave french.\nDane the french paid such a high price due to fact they were invaded and occupied, not because of galiant heroldry. The brits suffered heavily from V1 and V2 rockets along with bombing runs. At least the brits mounted a useful defense.
988925
I understand the feeling. With exception, you will find French people to be fair play, and they will admit and respect the winner of a competition, regardless of nationality. Of course they will also brag when their local teams/players/athletes win, and be disappointed when they loose but who wouldn't?\n\nNonetheless, there is this lingering resentment against Lance... And this I believe comes from that newspaper "L'Equipe" (The Team), which is as fair and balanced as Fox News when it comes to reporting integrity. That rag basically capitalizes on national sporting pride to promote sales.\n\nSo there... A couple of journalists try to make a stir by making unvalidated claim of cheating, in the hope of unearthing the next Watergate. What's very regrettable, is that such cheap shot is only what's visible of France. A real shame, because the truth is all different.\n\nSome readers will probably believe that much, but I'm pretty certain most French people have nothing but respect for Lance's performance.\n\nNow it is also true that in the cycling circle, people don't consider Lance the greatest cyclist of all time. Lance is the best TdF cyclist that ever was and maybe ever will be, but he's pretty much exclusive. So was Miguel Indurain. These guys would train only for the TdF. In contrast, people like Eddie Mercks, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault not only won the TdF five times, but they also won pretty much everything there was to win. So some folks may have a legitimate reason to take Lance's performance with a grain of salt.\n\nI hope this helps clarify the confusion.\n\n(PS) Avoid using absolutes like "I know the French hate Americans". This doesn't reflect well on Americans, and doesn't promote a better understanding between the two people. Try to investigate whether it is true that French hate Americans (Because they don't), and if so, try to find out what the reason why that may be. Else you will pass for an obnoxious yank (Which you're not) and people will resent you for that.