Ozzy
Agreed, and I'm not going for the French defender award here but YSSMAN, I wouldn't overlook the French Revolution, an act that demonstrates strong will power, determination, and honor and make a semi-stereotype for them as being "weak".
And who exactly inspired the French Revolution? Hint: Starts with U, ends with S. Beyond that, their revolution was a bit messier than ours, effectively ended the positive relationship they had with America and Americans, and later installed a dictator as their leader. I suppose we should thank the French for their Revolution, as without it we wouldn't have Toqueville giving our nation so much praise in 1830, and added to that, rebuilding our relationship with Great Britain after the skirmishes between the three of us.
MaxPowers
And you wonder why some French dislike America so much? It's because of people like you spouting this crap.
If you'd note, I did highlight the fact that where I come from, much of it wouldn't have existed without the French. It wasn't until the annexation of the Michigan territory and the influx of Dutch and Polish immigrants that the French folks retreated to Canada, however their mark was indeed left, and has been maintained.
However I would care to note that some of what I had written was a bit tongue-in-cheek, and generally matches the same stereotypes of French people that Americans have had since the early years of the post-war era. What it comes down to is that people make fun of the French because they are easy targets for doing so, and people do the same for Americans as well.
Sure, there was a time where I hated knowing that I was partially French. However that doesn't mean that I didn't appreciate what the French have done for the world we live in. If anything, the French are indeed the most important people from the European mainland since the collapse of the Roman Empire, a fact that is indeed hard to argue, and they have manged to shape European (and American) history as we know it.
But a few jokes here and there doesn't mean that everyone hates the French and the fact that they are French. I still tell people I am, but it really isn't a big deal to me. As noted, most folks around here are Dutch or Polish, and that indeed is the reason why we have the big cultural celebrations for both groups down the road in Holland, Michigan and here in Grand Rapids. If I were to name my "Big Three" in terms of my nationality, I always say "Dutch, German, Native American." Why? I don't know...
...There was a time in America where it was pretty bad to be a German too. Hell, a town a few miles away had to change their name from Berlin to Marne. A few of my friend's families had their names changed during the war as well. There are plenty of negative connotations around the Polish as well, and I'll admit that I do a good bit of tongue-in-cheek Pollock-bashing too, but everyone does it...
Its what Americans do. We all make fun of each other for what part of the world we came from. Maybe it is the uptight English, the hard-drinking Irish, the white-flag-waving French, the freaky-deeky Dutch, the dumb Polish, agressive/passionate Italians, savage Native Americans, etc... There is a stereotype to go with everyone. Its part of our culture, like it or not...
However, I am expecting an Irish link to come along sometime.
