Smile

pest · **Smile -** 06-16-2003, 03:16 PM

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.

Unknown_Sniper · 06-16-2003, 03:24 PM

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.

Akuma · 06-16-2003, 03:29 PM

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.

pest · 06-16-2003, 03:37 PM

[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.

Pyro · 06-16-2003, 04:28 PM

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

Old Reliable · 06-16-2003, 05:28 PM

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

pest · 06-16-2003, 07:28 PM

[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.

Old Reliable · 06-16-2003, 08:45 PM

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?

cashwarsplaya · 06-16-2003, 08:50 PM

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.

Vance · 06-16-2003, 08:51 PM

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?

Vance · 06-16-2003, 08:52 PM

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

Old Reliable · 06-16-2003, 08:53 PM

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