France

[Roger S]

I found this amusing.

The story goes that France was deeply resented by her neighbours, the other europeans. Eventually, jealous of such an overprivileged country, they got together in a rare moment of unity and decided to send their representatives to God in order tp protest.

"You have given France the best of everything" they said. "The mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, mountains and fertile valleys, southern sunshine and romantic northern winters, a supremely graceful language, cooking rich with the finest butter and olive oil, the most varied and productive vineyards on earth, more cheese than there are days in the year - everything, in fact that man could desire, and all in one country. Is this fair ? is this divine justice ?"

God listened to their complaints, considering them carefully. Thinking it over, He was obliged to admit that the protesters had a point. It was possible he had been rather generous - perhaps over generous to this blessed patch called France. And so, to make up for all those unfair advantages, God created the French. The other Europeans went home happy. Justice had been served.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

I've seen this joke before, some years ago. I'm a card carrying Francophile and get over as often as I can, and have made some very good friends on the site where our static van is, but got to say there's an element of truth in it.

We've stopped at two sites in Holland over the past three nights: prepaid on line, number plate recognition let us on to the sites out of office winter hours, pitch numbers and pedestrian gate codes emailed two days before we set off. All went without a hitch.

Tonight we're in Armentiers. Took two weeks to get a one line reply 'no problem, we've got a space' - nothing else. Told them we'd arrive around 16.30pm. Pitched up at 16.45pm, to find the office closed, notwithstanding the sign giving new winter opening times 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00. After much unsuccessful clattering and banging on the office door we decided to head on to a CampingCarPark near Dunquerque. As I started to move, a bloke emerges from the house attached to the office, tells us he'll be back in 10 minutes and then buggers off again.

We're on the pitch now, but it was a classic example of the French being French.

 

[martin2603]

Not unusual in off season times , we just drive in pick a pitch and check in whenever. Due to the fact that we have had an excess of rain and not all pitches over there have hard standing I tend to use Camping Car parks . Majority have good hard standing and still cheaper than a site

 

[Roger S]

I've seen this joke before, some years ago. I'm a card carrying Francophile and get over as often as I can, and have made some very good friends on the site where our static van is, but got to say there's an element of truth in it.

We've stopped at two sites in Holland over the past three nights: prepaid on line, number plate recognition let us on to the sites out of office winter hours, pitch numbers and pedestrian gate codes emailed two days before we set off. All went without a hitch.

Tonight we're in Armentiers. Took two weeks to get a one line reply 'no problem, we've got a space' - nothing else. Told them we'd arrive around 16.30pm. Pitched up at 16.45pm, to find the office closed, notwithstanding the sign giving new winter opening times 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 18:00. After much unsuccessful clattering and banging on the office door we decided to head on to a CampingCarPark near Dunquerque. As I started to move, a bloke emerges from the house attached to the office, tells us he'll be back in 10 minutes and then buggers off again.

We're on the pitch now, but it was a classic example of the French being French.

Thats not ideal, it is light harted but whilst you cant tar everyone with the same brush an element of it is true, heavan knows what they say about us !

 

[yodeli]

God created the French.

PAH I don't care.... I speak French but I was born in Algeria

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[Trevor Wbm]

Thats not ideal, it is light harted but whilst you cant tar everyone with the same brush an element of it is true, heavan knows what they say about us !

My friends would tell me ... but the impression I get is not enough of them visit the UK to have created a stereotype.

They do however have quite strong views about visitors who think shouting in English is an acceptable form of communication.

Interestingly, the landlord of a pub in Amsterdam I was chatting to yesterday was quite rude about the French expecting the Dutch to speak French to them. He can speak French, he just won't.

I've had the Gallic indifference in the past, only for it to evaporate when I talk to them in my mediocre but adequate Francais, which has just about got to the stage where I can complain about poor service if needs be.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

PAH I don't care.... I speak French but I was born in Algeria

That's something we have in common with French. An old habit of turning up in places and sticking our flag in the ground ...

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

Don’t particularly dislike the French as I have met a few nice ones but generally they do not seem as friendly as other races.
Was funny in May on a German site as I got talking to a German chap who asked about England for travelling around he then started to rant on about how he hates the French and their food and never goes there
A bit extreme I thought, he was ok again after his rant

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
Love France and all the people i have met with over there. Love the " Gallic Shrug ".......... Can be used for everything and saves the use of.... bad language....... ...... So civilised...
Tea Bag

 

[steve69]

There is France, and then there is Paris. Chalk & Cheese.

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[chesterfield hooligan]

We are in Portugal at the moment the French greet you with bonjour and will accept nothing else in return I greet them with bondia my version of a Portuguese greeting as we are in Portugal not France.

 

[Reallyretired]

There is France, and then there is Paris. Chalk & Cheese.

Absolutely. We have always found the French very friendly and have made some good friends there.(SWMBO has really I leave all interpersonal relations to her).
The few Parisiens I have come across seem to be pure poison, however I avoid Paris as far as possible along with any other city.

 

[maison]

We spend a lot of time in France and lived there for six months of the year for 16 years.

It may have been because we lived in a rural area but we never came across unfriendly people. Whenever we needed help, if something went wrong with the house, or if we had difficulty with French local government procedures there was always someone on hand to give advice and/or practical, hands on assistance.

We have always believed that it is essential to at least try to speak the local language. It was especially important where we were as very few people could speak English, (and why should they). Once again we found our friends and neighbours appreciated our mangled attempts at their native tongue. Once they knew that we wouldn’t be offended if they corrected our mistakes we learned much more quickly.

 

[ChrisL]

The few Parisiens I have come across seem to be pure poison, however I avoid Paris as far as possible along with any other city.

I think there are nice and not so nice people regardless of where they are from, I was stuck in the back of beyond in France nearly out of fuel, the only petrol station was unmanned and would only accept French cards, I had plenty of Euros so asked several locals (in French) if they would fill me up and I would give them cash, all politely declined until a Parisien guy turned up and overhearing me asking someone else asked me in English if he could help, he filled up my tank and insisted on giving me change from the Euro notes I had. So not all Parisiens are bad

 

[EMS]

I have visited France for many years to see the Tour de France cycle race and have found people to be as the UK mostly very good and kind. when I worked in Toulouse for some years I met a charming women who became my wife so perhaps I am biased............
Sadly she died and then I met a German born lady living in the UK who is now my wife so I now have a warm respect for the German family as well.
There are differences in the organisations of the countries and this is reflected when one has to deal with the state, civil service etc....

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[Carpmart]

I agree Paris is very different. Strange vibe in some of the larger French cities too. Rural France IMHO has some of the nicest people you will meet anywhere. When you get to know them a bit you will see they have their cliques on occasion, but break down that barrier and your in, one of their own!

Southern France is a little strange again… no where near as friendly…

 

[Suenliam]

Little story I have never forgotten.

Old man sitting on bench. Visitors approached and asked him if the locals were friendly. He asked what were the locals like in their part of the world. Visitors replied they were very friendly and helpful. You'll find they are the same here replied the old man.
Bit later on the same question was asked by a second lot of visitors. Again the local asked what people were like in their part of the world. Answer - well they are certainly not friendly or helpful. It's the same here replied the old man.

Think about it.......

Sue

 

[Carpmart]

Little story I have never forgotten.

Old man sitting on bench. Visitors approached and asked him if the locals were friendly. He asked what were the locals like in their part of the world. Visitors replied they were very friendly and helpful. You'll find they are the same here replied the old man.
Bit later on the same question was asked by a second lot of visitors. Again the local asked what people were like in their part of the world. Answer - well they are certainly not friendly or helpful. It's the same here replied the old man.

Think about it.......

Sue

You largely get out what you put in… a metaphor for life really.