"France is the least welcoming country for Brits says new poll"

Britannist · 22-09-2007, 03:03 AM

The Sun Online - News: Oui hate the British visitors

Mikeuk · 22-09-2007, 11:46 AM

Probably the least welcoming country for anybody, possibly barring Iraq.

But I'll say this for the French. When they are confronted by idiots they treat them like idiots instead of pretending to be polite.

Maybe we should take a leaf out of their book.

Smidgey · 22-09-2007, 01:18 PM

I've always been treated nice in France. In fact, I was there when London won the olympics and the average French person didn't even change their opinion of me or my family as a result...

Maybe it is the Auld Alliance?

EDIT: In fact, a recent story is a good example of this - when the European qualifier was played between Scotland and France, there was a large parade of 20,000 Scottish fans through the streets of Paris - a great sign of welcoming by the French people and the French newspapers were very welcoming as well, even the tabloids and even after France's miraculous defeat.

Britannist · 22-09-2007, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smidgey

I've always been treated nice in France. Maybe it is the Auld Alliance?

Yes, some French and other people in the EU would like to break up the UK and seek to use Scotland (Smidgey's home nation) to try to do that.

We English have got an "Auld alliance" too, by the way - with our oldest ally, Portugal. Considered to be one of the oldest (if not the oldest) alliance between two nations in the world.

Besoeker · 22-09-2007, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britannist

Yes, some French and other people in the EU would like to break up the UK and seek to use Scotland (Smidgey's home nation) to try to do that.

Think the Auld Alliance rather pre-dates even the common market....

Aardvark · 22-09-2007, 08:49 PM

I've been to the best part of 50 countries and can say that there is friendship and hostility everywhere. It depends on who you are and how you behave. I'm quite laid back, make an effort to speak a few words of the local lingo and don't abuse waiters or barstaff.

I have often been embarrassed by the behaviour of other Brits. Drunken football chants irritate me in the UK, but when I hear some drunken person going 'Champiooons' at one in the morning in a foreign city I do cross the road.

I have seen Brits be rude in shops, bars, restaurants and airports. If that's how you behave abroad then don't expect to be welcomed.

If foreigners are rude to me in the UK it riles me. I'm sure it works both ways.

Britannist · 22-09-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

I have often been embarrassed by the behaviour of other Brits. I have seen Brits be rude in shops, bars, restaurants and airports. If that's how you behave abroad then don't expect to be welcomed.

Yes, some people from the UK don't always behave as well as they should do when abroad. But most British people abroad do behave well and millions of British people live overseas causing no problems to anyone.

I've seen european continental people behaving less than perfectly over here.

Chip · 22-09-2007, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britannist

Yes, some people from the UK don't always behave as well as they should do when abroad. But most British people abroad do behave well and millions of British people live overseas causing no problems to anyone.

I've seen european continental people behaving less than perfectly over here.

Yes you have hit the nail on the head.I live in France for 6 months of the year and have no problem with the French at all. They are most helpful and very kind with hospitality. Strange as it may seem they also like the Brit humour.

There is a problem with some Brits who only speak English, do not mix with the French, bring everything including corned beef from England and if they do need to comunicate they shout louder in English.I met one about 3 weeks ago in a DIY shop in france. When he heard me speaking in French he aproached me and asked if I would ask the assistant for a TV dish that would pick up Corination Street.When I explained that they did not have that on French TV he assked "Well what do they do in the evening?" I think he was serious.

Britannist · 22-09-2007, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chip

I met one (a person from the UK) about three weeks ago in a DIY shop in France. When he heard me speaking in French he aproached me and asked if I would ask the assistant for a TV dish that would pick up Coronation Street. When I explained that they did not have that on French TV he asked "Well what do they do in the evening?"
I think he was serious.

Thank you for your agreement, Chip.

Mikeuk · 23-09-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

I've been to the best part of 50 countries and can say that there is friendship and hostility everywhere. It depends on who you are and how you behave. I'm quite laid back, make an effort to speak a few words of the local lingo and don't abuse waiters or barstaff.

I have often been embarrassed by the behaviour of other Brits. Drunken football chants irritate me in the UK, but when I hear some drunken person going 'Champiooons' at one in the morning in a foreign city I do cross the road.

I have seen Brits be rude in shops, bars, restaurants and airports. If that's how you behave abroad then don't expect to be welcomed.

If foreigners are rude to me in the UK it riles me. I'm sure it works both ways.

The only places I have encountered downright rude behaviour abroad was in the States (from 'Hispanics' apparently incapable of speaking English) and once in Holland - again from a non-European.

I have never had any problems with the French, or the Italians or Spaniards for that matter.

OTOH while abroad I have seen a small number of Germans behaving arrogantly and a large number of Brits behaving like gorillas out of their tree.

Last time I was in Brussels I emerged from a restaurant to be greeted by the sight of a British stag party in stupid hats, all with their wedding tackle on display, spraying the pavement (and themselves) as they lurched along, screaming obscenities.

No wonder this country has gained an unenviable reputation for scummy behaviour.

22-09-2007, 03:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Britannist Uber Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: London Posts: 22,896	"France is the least welcoming country for Brits says new poll" The Sun Online - News: Oui hate the British visitors

22-09-2007, 01:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
Smidgey Uber Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 2,222 Party: Libertarian Party	I've always been treated nice in France. In fact, I was there when London won the olympics and the average French person didn't even change their opinion of me or my family as a result... Maybe it is the Auld Alliance? EDIT: In fact, a recent story is a good example of this - when the European qualifier was played between Scotland and France, there was a large parade of 20,000 Scottish fans through the streets of Paris - a great sign of welcoming by the French people and the French newspapers were very welcoming as well, even the tabloids and even after France's miraculous defeat. Last edited by Smidgey; 22-09-2007 at 01:21 PM.

22-09-2007, 08:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Aardvark Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxonia Posts: 3,987	I've been to the best part of 50 countries and can say that there is friendship and hostility everywhere. It depends on who you are and how you behave. I'm quite laid back, make an effort to speak a few words of the local lingo and don't abuse waiters or barstaff. I have often been embarrassed by the behaviour of other Brits. Drunken football chants irritate me in the UK, but when I hear some drunken person going 'Champiooons' at one in the morning in a foreign city I do cross the road. I have seen Brits be rude in shops, bars, restaurants and airports. If that's how you behave abroad then don't expect to be welcomed. If foreigners are rude to me in the UK it riles me. I'm sure it works both ways. __________________ When in Woking do as the Wokes do. "I do not wish to form my opinions by thoughtlessly quoting others; I wish others to support their opinions by sensibly quoting me." Paul Wesson (Aardvark) 13th April 2008

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22-09-2007, 11:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
Mikeuk Banned Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fareham Posts: 5,758 Party: Conservatives	Probably the least welcoming country for anybody, possibly barring Iraq. But I'll say this for the French. When they are confronted by idiots they treat them like idiots instead of pretending to be polite. Maybe we should take a leaf out of their book.