Smile
 

For some reason this amused me.

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/Worl ... 30616.html

I just keep imagining this sidewalk cafe watier decked out in white, trying for with all his might to force a smile while so loud texan in his foghorn legghorn voice gives him a sermon on how things ought to be done.

There gonan have to do more for us to go back. ie get down on their knees, and their women have to shave their armpits.

Fuck that, France is a beautiful country and shouldn't change anything. If Americans have their heads to far up their ass to not want to go to France, it's their loss.

[quote="Gothic_child180":27281]Fuck that, France is a beautiful country and shouldn't change anything. If Americans have their heads to far up their ass to not want to go to France, it's their loss.[/quote:27281]

No, it is actually both of their losses. Its a great big world with lots of places for people to spend their money.

France made thier choice. The US made theirs. And right or wrong they both have to live with it now. I think most peoples problem with France isnt what they said, it was how they said it. Oh wait, I'm just repeating the article now.

hey, if they both want to be ignorant let them.

Americans are the guilty ones here. *SHOCKER* when travelling, most americans don't learn the French language, but nearly all French learn a little or even a huge portion of ENglish when coming to america. It also goes with learning the culture. and for those of you who disagree with me, can you speak 1 or 2 other languages or tell me some customs acceptable in other countries outside of US? probably not. that my friends is a sad trend

[quote="Old Reliable":8441f]Americans are the guilty ones here. *SHOCKER* when travelling, most americans don't learn the French language, but nearly all French learn a little or even a huge portion of ENglish when coming to america. It also goes with learning the culture. and for those of you who disagree with me, can you speak 1 or 2 other languages or tell me some customs acceptable in other countries outside of US? probably not. that my friends is a sad trend[/quote:8441f]

Yes, but ask yourself why.

In Europe, you have more than a half dozen languages in an area smaller than the continental US. In order to communicate, a common language most exist. For much of europe, english is that language.

Now, take the US. Then add English speaking Canada add you have a very large geographic area that is english speaking. Then consider that most of the bi-lingual population speaks spanish. That gives us almost two whole conitinents with only two languages. Four if you include quebec and brazil. So where is the need to learn french? What is the cost benefit relationship?

I dont think americans are as quilty as you say. And I dont think the french learn english for our benefit, they do it because itis useful in their everyday lives.

Obviously you haven't traveled outside of the United States. usually if you want to survive in a foreign country it is wise to learn at LEAST the basics of the language and culture to not make an ass of yourself. I dont expect people to learn languages for the hell of it (i just like to), but when you travel you should at least invest time. you will also find french to be an important language in international business and other corners of the world. do you enjoy when tourists come up to you and start speaking their language?

Americans are arrogant little shits (but im one of them). I go to france twice a year since i have family there, and i cant tell you how many times ive seen some fat texan drawling in english to some poor 20 something year old woman at a hotel desk, and then get frustrated at her lack of understanding of englsih. Come on! You arent in America! Make an effort when you are somewhere else and stop acting like you own the place.

How the hell do you know if Americans that travel to French don't bother to learn at least some of the language? Have you ever seen this?

*I was talking to Old Reilable by the way...

nah, i don't have to witness it, it is obvious. americans are lazy when it comes to wanting to learn about other countries. I went to Russia with 10 other students and i was the only one who made an attempt to learn russian. do the math

Suuure.

I was just about to ask if you had not read my post, but i get it now.

I just answered your question and you're unwilling to accept it, is it because youare one of those lazy americans?

I totally agree that if your going to go somewhere, it is YOUR responsibility to learn the basics of the language if its foreign, and their customs. Its pretty ignorant to go someplace and expect people to understand you because you speak english.

Whenever a European comes to North America, from France, or Germany or Italy, I doubt they'll get very far if they go around asking directions and other things in their native tounge. They learn English, we should learn their languages and their customs. Especially for places in Asia and the Middle East, since customs are very different there. For example shoes might not be allowed in some places. Do your research before you go away.

[quote="Old Reliable":ff2b2]I just answered your question and you're unwilling to accept it, is it because youare one of those lazy americans?[/quote:ff2b2]
If unwilling to accept something means your lazy, then yes, I am lazy.




*please noit that what Old Reliable said was stupid and ignorant, and should never be used ever agian[/i]

[quote="Old Reliable":f4470]Obviously you haven't traveled outside of the United States. [/quote:f4470]

Obviously. :rolleyes

You've got issues, man.

well I am correct aren't I?

I agree with Old, it's quite sad to see what some of these americans are like. When I was in Ireland last summer I was at a small pub and there was an american family sitting at the table next to us. The man had a really heavy southern accent and he had a hard time understanding the waitress in her Dublin accent. The american was so fed up he screamed "LEARN TO SPEAK ENGLISH" and him and his family stormed out. I couldnt believe the ignorance they had. hake:

No, I dont agree. But then again, I am not nearly as negative toward life in general as you are either. I think most tourists do bother to try to learn the language. Or they book the english friendly tours, or whatever.

Americans, as a practical matter, just dont have the same need to know multiple languages. I have studied several alternate languages, but couldnt speak more than a few phrases, mainly because I never had a chance to actually speak them. I dont think that makes me rude, or arrogant or a bad citizen. I think that people that rely on tourist dollars, shoudl cater to those tourists. My state lives and dies by the tourist dollar. I see the europeans, some that dont speak the langauge. We have european hotels, that cater to those tourists. They arent hard to find. They are the ones with the european fashion sense and teh little translation books.

well, if you choose to do that, fine, just don't expect the red carpet treatment. I would think it more satisfying to speak the language and actually learn about where the hell you're going. you may receive more respect in turn. when I was in Russia, it felt more satisfying to read the signs around me and understand bits of conversation. you don't feel like just another money spending tourist, but one with the people of the area. It's all about a different outlook on life, and ours differ. I love languages and speaking with different people. last week when i was working in a grocery store I spoke to someone in spanish...it's all a matter of choice whether you wish to learn the language or not, but whenever I am travelling to a foreign country I jump at the chance to learn the language. It's all about expanding your mind and opening opportunities...life that is cool:

I serously doubt too many French people are learning english just because they are travelling
to the US for a month or so eek: ....more likely they already have a good grasp of english
for reasons already pointed out by Pest.

(yes I have been to France...yes I bothered to learn the basics)

[img]http://fyad.daedalonline.com/clean/wolfdabce.gif[/img]

[quote="aNti hEro":ffd05][img]http://fyad.daedalonline.com/clean/wolfdabce.gif[/img][/quote:ffd05]

...yes, well pointed out Ante Herrow....thanks for that.

[quote="Eight Ace":43862][quote="aNti hEro":43862][img]http://fyad.daedalonline.com/clean/wolfdabce.gif[/img][/quote:43862]

...yes, well pointed out Ante Herrow....thanks for that.[/quote:43862]

[img]http://fyad.daedalonline.com/clean/wolfdabce.gif[/img]

[img]http://fyad.daedalonline.com/clean/alienbob-big.jpg[/img]

[img]http://fyad.daedalonline.com/clean/kirkdance.gif[/img]


EDIT: Anti, for chrissakes, don't post images this huge and numerous again. Man, for a vet around here, you sure are acting n00bish. -Zone

what the fuck? ah, just another adolescent

omg, all those pictures

the gayness is strong in this one

good point.....im a fat little shitz American

[quote="Da_Bian":4cb20]omg, all those pictures

the gayness is strong in this one[/quote:4cb20]

I left ONE of each pic there, aside from that HUGE one. Please refrain from posting shit like that.

[img]http://fyad.daedalonline.com/clean/alienbob-big.jpg[/img]


oOo: What the fuck is with that muppet looking character?

From the filename, I'd say it was Alien Bob.

For some reason, that image is disturbing to me...heh.

...yes, it has that certain "gang rape" subtext.

its kias better half

[quote:9cdc8]"If you're gonna hate France, hate Canada because Canada and France shared exactly the same policy on this particular issue."[/quote:9cdc8]

We already hate Canada. Du'H.


And yea, that picture is highly disturbing.

Does that thing have arms?

Yes.

Ok here's why the thing creeps me the hell out;

The "gang-rap subltleties" of the picture.

The Milk-Fetish quality.

The drowning implication.

The overwhelming redneckness of the participants.

And. . .

The Muppet. It looks like the Muppet may well be being held against his will as well, but either way its inclusion makes me not want to finish my cheese pizza.

The more I look at it, the more creeped out I get.