A funny thing happened on the way to work today,

[OnyxCougar]

Actually, I was there with a friend of mine (who speaks fluent French) and she was doing all the talking. I've been all over Europe and I know how NOT to act (and I can spot the Asshole-Americans from a mile away). We were using Euros. In other words, we were not doing anything that would have justified the mistreatment that we received.

So save your excuses for them. And I didn't say every single person in France is an asshole. But all the ones I've ever met ARE. I'm entitled to my opinion that in general, the French are assholes.

I'm glad you enjoy their company, but I don't. And apperantly, neither does Beestie.

[garnet]

Originally Posted by OnyxCougar

But all the ones I've ever met ARE. I'm entitled to my opinion that in general, the French are assholes.

I'm glad you enjoy their company, but I don't. And apperantly, neither does Beestie.

Well good for you and Beestie. I think it's interesting that it's OK for people to make statements like "the French are assholes"--if you had met a small number of African Americans who you didn't like, would you also say that all African Americans are assholes? No, because that would be RACIST, wouldn't it? What you're doing, in my opinion, is exactly the same thing. So good, don't ever go back there.

I was treated pretty rudely in Hungary. Do I want to go back there? Not really. Do I think all Hungarians are assholes? Not at all.

And BTW, I can't imagine you were "derided in street" for simply minding your own business...

[OnyxCougar]

If every single person you ever met in ...lets say Switzerland... slapped you in the face....literally....open handed slapped you upside the head... then I think you have a reason to say, "You know, I really don't like the Swiss." And if you said it, I wouldn't say a thing to condradict you. Because it's not my place. You are completely entitled to your opinion.

And if you consider me a racist because I don't like French people, well, who the hell are you to me? Nobody.

And whether you can imagine if I was derided in the street or not is irrelevant. It happened. And I will request you don't infer I'm a liar, or that it didn't happen. Just because you can't imagine a thing doesn't mean it doesn't exist or didn't happen. It just means you have a limited imagination.

[garnet]

Originally Posted by OnyxCougar

And whether you can imagine if I was derided in the street or not is irrelevant. It happened. And I will request you don't infer I'm a liar, or that it didn't happen. Just because you can't imagine a thing doesn't mean it doesn't exist or didn't happen. It just means you have a limited imagination.

That's not what I said. You should read posts more carefully before you slam someone like that. I absolutely believe you were derided in the street. With a hot temper and bad attitude like yours, I'm just betting it was completely deserved. So for the rest of us who like to travel and ENJOY other cultures, please stay home and keep your bad American manners to yourself.

[garnet]

Originally Posted by OnyxCougar

And if you consider me a racist because I don't like French people, well, who the hell are you to me? Nobody.

You're right, I'm nobody to you, and you're nobody to me. If you don't want other "nobodies" commentiing on your posts, and you are too thin-skinned to hear any criticism of what you post, maybe you shouldn't post here.

[OnyxCougar]

I absolutely believe you were derided in the street. With a hot temper and bad attitude like yours, I'm just betting it was completely deserved.

I read your post, I understood what it inferred, I was trying to give you a nice, simple way to let the conversation rest without getting more confrontational than it already was.

Instead, you have insulted me and directed me to "stay home", and have obviously made a judgement on my personality without ever meeting me.

Your previous statements also indicate you have made a judgement on Beestie, who has expressed his general dislike of the people who inhabit France. Those statements are the reason I felt compelled to interject in the first place.

In addition, from other threads on this board, it appears you have confrontation issues.

Also, since you don't know me, I'll advise you that I'm hardly thin skinned, and since I've been a regular poster here much longer than you have, I'll decline your less than gracious offer to stop posting. There are people here who I care about, who I respect, and a few I even admire. You just aren't one of them.

So why don't you follow your own advice keep your bad American manners to yourself?

[garnet]

Originally Posted by OnyxCougar

I read your post, I understood what it inferred, I was trying to give you a nice, simple way to let the conversation rest without getting more confrontational than it already was.

No, you completely misread what I posted, and inferred that I was calling you a liar, which I never did. Nice try.

Originally Posted by OnyxCougar

Your previous statements also indicate you have made a judgement on Beestie, who has expressed his general dislike of the people who inhabit France. Those statements are the reason I felt compelled to interject in the first place.

No, Beestie (to quote directly) said she "despises" the French. That's not exactly "general dislike." Sorry, I have a problem when people like you and Beestie choose to stereotype millions of people you've never met. It more than stings of racism, and I will call you on it. If you don't want to hear what I think, don't read my posts.

Originally Posted by OnyxCougar

In addition, from other threads on this board, it appears you have confrontation issues.

And your little slam on Brianna in the parenting forum (and on others in many other threads) shows YOU have confrontation issues, too. Good, so we're even then.

Originally Posted by OnyxCougar

There are people here who I care about, who I respect, and a few I even admire. You just aren't one of them.

You forgot--I'm a nobody, you're a nobody, remember? I could care less whether or not you like me, and I'm sure you feel the same way.

[OnyxCougar]

Originally Posted by garnet

No, you completely misread what I posted, and inferred that I was calling you a liar, which I never did. Nice try.

No, I understood exactly what you meant. By saying, "I can't imagine you were "derided in street" for simply minding your own business..." you inferred that your little french buddies would NEVER do anything like scream at the top of their lungs to a total stranger in the street without provocation. I had implied in my post that they had done exactly that. So, in effect, you were calling me a liar, and I nicely requested you didn't. So to quote you, Nice try.

No, Beestie (to quote directly) said she "despises" the French. That's not exactly "general dislike." Sorry, I have a problem when people like you and Beestie choose to stereotype millions of people you've never met. It more than stings of racism, and I will call you on it. If you don't want to hear what I think, don't read my posts.

Beestie is a he. And you have no business calling anyone on racism, even if they are a proud member of the KKK. It's not your place to take anyone to task on their beliefs or opinions. Beestie has his, I have mine, you have yours.

I happen to read everyone's posts, not because I "want to hear" what they have to say, but because I try to see things from other people's point of view, even if I don't agree. It's unfortunate that you don't see things that way. Why is it that you want me to stop posting (as one of your replies demanded) and stop reading posts? Is what I'm saying that unsettling to you? Why are you getting so upset?

And your little slam on Brianna in the parenting forum (and on others in many other threads) shows YOU have confrontation issues, too. Good, so we're even then.

Actually, I disliked Brianna's post for 3 reasons: (1) I'm British. (2) As I replied to her, more than just Americans read this board and it was very disrespectful for her to post that. If she didn't have something to contribute, which she apperantly didn't, because she didn't post anything else, she shouldn't have posted at all. (3) She was upset about something else, and let that frustration and worry manifest itself on an inappropriate way on a thread that had nothing to do with it.

And as far as us being "even"? Hardly.

You forgot--I'm a nobody, you're a nobody, remember? I could care less whether or not you like me, and I'm sure you feel the same way.

There you go, being sure again. My my, but you DO make assumptions and judgements on other people.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I don't like the french.
My Daddy didn't like the french.
His Daddy didn't like the french.

I like the Cellar.
Shame Daddy and his Daddy missed it.
Oh well.
What were we talking about?

[flippant]

At least this couldn't get worse.

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by garnet

So because YOU had a bad experience with people in France, that means that every single person in France is an asshole? Sorry, that's just a silly generalization.

Look garnet, just because you had a peachy vacation does not mean there are not some serious differences between the French and not just Americans but the rest of the world. The French, by and large, are arrogant assholes who think they are more cultured than the rest of the planet. I spend a lot of time in Canada and can tell you that the French Canadians even think the French are assholes.

I was there when the paint was still drying from the American liberation of Paris and DeGaulle kicked all the Americans out of France. Americans (soldiers and civillians) were being beaten in the streets of Paris. We were run out of that country with a French boot up our ass. I went back in 1983 as an exchange student and determined that as long as you kiss their behind, you are ok but the minute they figure out that you love America (my home), they turn on you very quickly - especially the pre-WWII French. You'd think we were the freakin Nazi's and not the Germans.

But, the French, it seems, hate everyone - the Germans, the British, the Americans, the Moroccans, the Algerians, the Quebeqoi, the Italians, etc.

I'm glad you had a nice time there. France is a beautifull country and there is some pro- or at least some tolerant American attitudes there but, I can assure you, it is the exception. The French hate America even if they make an exception now and then. And the feeling is more than mutual.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Beestie

The French, by and large, are arrogant assholes who think they are more cultured than the rest of the planet.

What people hate most in others is often what they hate most in themselves...

[elSicomoro]

In that case, I hate the French for being so fucking awesome and beautiful.

So...we shouldn't take anyone to task on their beliefs or their opinions? Onyx, are you serious?

I've heard a lot of good about the French and a lot of bad about the French. I imagine that they're not much different than us--arrogant and asinine. The ones I've met were rather nice. Generalizing and stereotyping only perpetuates problems among various groups.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by flippant

At least this couldn't get worse.

Wanna bet?

[Beestie]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

What people hate most in others is often what they hate most in themselves...

That reminds me: is there a website where I can find the rest of Dr. Phil's pithy little quotes.