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THIS SCEPTRED ISLE

Why do the English hate the French?

Sandy, paussac france
  • I don't think they do. No more than they hate the Irish, the Scottish, the Germans, northerners, southerners, Brummies, their neighbours, Muslims, Catholics, atheists, politicians, the apolitical, aggressive journalists, passive journalists, teachers, the successful, the rich and the poor.

    Steven Beercock, Enna, Italy
  • I'm English and I don't hate the French. Premise refuted.

    Max Wurr, Stanmore, United Kingdom
  • We don't, its more like sibling rivalry. Look how terratorial the squabbles have been.

    Gordon Wilson, Reading, UK
  • It's obvious - they are our nearest neighbours. Less British people hate the Dutch or even Latvians, for example, because they know less about them ...

    Paul Francis, The Hague, the Netherlands
  • The English don't hate anybody. They just look down on everybody else.

    Vinod Moonesinghe, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
  • They gave us much of our national heritage since 1066, as well as much of our language. We should have a lot in common with them. However, we have spent much of the time since then rebelling against them, often without good reason. One saying springs to mind: "we hate those whom we have wronged".

    James Barnard, Hatfield, England
  • As an outsider, I'd say it's because the French keep picking fights with the Germans, which they are in no position to win. Thus, the English have to periodically tool up and head over there to save them, at horrendous expense.

    Endie, Edinburgh, Scotland
  • I think Rowan Atkinson summed it up well with Richard Curtis & Howard Goodall's lyrics in his Live in Belfast performance. We offered kindly to donate them Calais And all they gave us back was the bidet And now they won't let us go on holiday They bottle bath-water [or 7 Up] and call it Perrier They eat poor froggie's legs then throw the rest away They even like the look of Johnny Holliday They eat raw garlic and invented croquet They think the height of chic is John Paul Gautier They all wear berets and they're all called Jacques, They even steal from us the words they lack Le weekend, Le Camping and cul de sac They claim their films are the best we've ever had Well I suppose Emmannuelle wasn't bad All their songs sound more or less the same La la la la la la la la.........je t'aime Charles Aznavour is always so depressed Wouldn't you be if oui oui meant yes? Sacha Distel has raindrops falling on his head I wonder if Jean Paul Sartre knows he is dead What I resent is that they're so good in bed They bake their bread in such a naughty shape They brag about their wine and worship the grape They criticise our food but then they eat crepe And now they started coming here in droves French cigarettes, French letters and French clothes I'm sick and tired of eating all this brie A day trip to Boulougne is fine by me And I'll be buggered if I go to gay Paris. They're pretty cocky 'bout their games in the dark They think with girls they light a special spark But look what the bastards did to Joan of Arc

    John Rymell, Stepney, England
  • One respondent says it is because they are England's nearest neighbours. In fact, Wales and Scotland are England's nearest neighbours. So the respondent who says the English look down on everybody else is wrong: it seems they overlook the Scots and Welsh entirely. Maybe this is the start of an anwer to a new question: "Why do the Scots and Welsh hate the English?".

    Joe Gorman, Malvik, Norway
  • Battle of Hastings... Duh!

    Shanna,
  • "Qui aime bien, chatie bien "... It's a question of an ever-lasting love-hate relationship.

    Corinne Bertin, Cahors, France
  • It's a two-way thing: the French and Francophone Belgian press are always referring to "la perfide Albion" or "les anglo-saxons" when they lump the UK together with the USA. And a "French letter" is called an "English hood" here!

    Chris Bourne, Brussels, Belgium
  • Because of the Hundred Years War. We won all but two of the twenty odd major battles, but rather unsportingly the French won the war and regained control of their own country.

    Martin Porter, Glossop, UK
  • Why not hate the French they don't fight back? It is like hating your little brother's friend.

    Michael, Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Mainly its a they hate us so we hate them thing. I started out with an open mind about the French but unfortunately every time I have went to France all I have met are prejudiced hypocrits, one resteraunt I went to actually refused to serve me because I was from England. I'm sure there are nice French people but unfortunately I haven't had the pleasure of meeting them yet.

    Laura G, Newcastle, England
  • Hello I am French and all the sites anti-French revolt me because us, we do not have anything against you! On the contrary me I like the language as well as English civilization. I was on a journey in England 3 months ago and I was done thrown stones right because I spoke French in the street! That my step more thrown into a panic than that because I know that all English are not as that finally I hope for it. Excuse me if I made faults! Thank you.

    Guillaume, Lorient, France
  • The English hate us because we eat frogs and snails and we are stuck up arrogant poo faces. I hate my country to honest. I wish I was English and now the English have beat us at rugby! Je deteste le francais! Much love Pierre xxx

    Pierre Retarde, Paris, France
  • English people are inherently racist, not all of them, but a large proportion are.

    Isabel Newman, Brisbane Australia
  • I think english hates the french for the following reasons: - French are handsome, a lot more than english people - French have "sex appeal" and girls all over the world think they are sexy (have you ever heard anybody in your life saying english good looking ?) - English people are sneaky

    Steven Wicks, London England
  • I don't think we hate the French - we just like taking the piss and let's face it, they're a pretty easy target.

    Adam Newsome, London, UK
  • I think only a minority of the English hate the French. Those who admit thet do always sing the same old song as ' They just eat those things that crawl, it's so disgusting '. It's a bit like when the French say ' Les Rosbifs, ils n'ont brûlé Jeanne d'Arc, n'oubliez pas ! ' ( The Roastbeef burnt our Joan of Arc, remember ! ). All I want to say : both England and France have the best rugby team of the North Hemisphere, let's beat the South ones cause it won't be easy but we have a good chance. I will support the English if the French fail.

    Philippe, Arras France
  • The French and the English are very similar yet we do things very differently, this is why there is the concept of a hatred.

    Freddie, London, England
  • I don't think they hate us, it's just some kind of rivalry: in the XX° century we fought alongside for the 2 great wars. i think the relationship between France and England are like the relationship between 2 brothers: they love each other but they don't admit it nor show it.

    Valentin Jansen, Lille France
  • I think the English are a little jealous of the French. The French just stick 2 fingers up to Brussels and the English get stitched up with every law that comes out of there. See the news about the woman market trader who has been taken to court for selling in lbs and oz? Utterly bloody stupid - wouldn't happen in France.

    Shaun, Stafford, England
  • I'm English and have been brought up to have freedom in choice between who I hate and like. personally I like the French and the whole country, been there twice and it's a beautiful place. but the English are just misunderstood and think that we hate everyone, look down on everyone and everyone hates us. I personally really do hate the Scottish and Welsh though more than anything. Never have and never will get on.

    Scrivo, Evesham, England
  • Differences, pure and simple. I used to think the French were rude, but then realised that you'll never get hit in the eye with an umbrella in Paris - wish I could say the same for here. The language thing seems to annoy people, but how many French people learn English to come to England ? More so business, no ? And if we learnt French, they wouldn't be able to talk about us while we were there without us knowing. Stop being paranoid ! Of course they are.

    Chris, Kingston Duh!
  • France runs on nuclear energy: Brits can't because they listen to hippys. French have good food: Brits have to settle for fish'n'chips. French know how to dress: Brits have to be sensible. Alot of people hate the Brits for their empire: The French couldn't get a very good empire so not many hate them. French have good weather: Brits have all weather, within a single day. France is big: Britain is small. French foreign legion is pretty damn cool: Gurkhas not so much. Most French can read and write their own name: most Brits are on Jeremy Kyle. You mess around with French police aw big water cannon will knock you out: in Britain an obese white guy will say STOP! French are thin: Brits are fat. French built Suez Canal: Brits were thrown out of the suez. French decyphered the Rosseta Stone: Brits couldn't. France made the Morrocans unable to speak arabic: Brits couldn't force English on the egyptians Personally I like both equally

    Ahmed Osman,
  • We hate everyone that has any slight hint of dislike for us so that's everyone, bu especially the french. I was annoyed that I had to do French at GCSE. I would rather have done any other language because I am more interested in the other languages. Besides one with a different alphabet would be more of a challenge. I really don't like it when other British people say we have so much to learn from the French. The thing is people are fooled by other places' propaganda. France has plenty of problems.

    Jim, Hull UK
  • I just want to say I love the English.Although I'm French, I'm a bit tired of this old story of the hatred between the English and the French. That sucks. There are assholes everywhere. I just love English for their sense of humour, their films are so good (I don't lik French films lol), the greatest music ever, they're quite clever and charming. (my God Malcolm McDowell, Hugh Grant, Jude Law... :p ) I love you English people !

    Devotchka, Paris France
  • I would not take it personally that the English hate the French. The English - for some apparant reason - seem to hate everyone. And I'm rather sure that the reason actually is that, they think they're better than everybody (dunno why, it's a mystery, cause I don't see anything special about them). I have one more reason why I personally don't like them... they think they are good at everything when, in actual fact, they just aren't. I think they know this, that's why they always seem so defensive if anyone comments badly on their country.

    Steph, Glasgow, Scotland
  • I'm English and I plan on moving out of here. Everything about the English is true. I'm washing my hands as we speak, and typing with my tongue. Keyboard tastes oily.

    Jack Smith, London, England
  • Well nothing to add except that the said "Pierre Retarde" (Peter Retarded in English) is not French at all ... He can't even write correctly in french...

    Stan, Lille
  • I personally don't mind the French. It's those ruddy Peruvian Llama Herders I can't stand.

    Alec, England
  • I think the French hate us here much more than we hate them. They are jealous because we have more money in these parts generally, but if the got up and did a days work they would have some too. After years of prejudice I'm beginning to hate the French and the language, though I didn't when I first came. It is sad because there's so much that's beautiful about the climate and scenery here. There have been some wonderful exceptions but most people here hate me simply because I'm English and do their best to refuse to understand my French with painful expressions. I love it if someone speaks English with a Foreign accent. They mostly need to get a sense of humour and loosen up.

    Caroline Postlethwaite, Sorede, France
  • I think you are all mad and stupid for wasting your life hating.People who hate a particular race or country are usually trying to blame others for a failing or weakness in themselves, eg Hitler: failed artist. Think smart,act smart,and look smart and you will not need to hate.

    D. Colgan, Colchester, England
  • French and English are brother enemy with a relation of "amour-haine"! French are Celt, speak a Latin language and have the name of a German tribe "les francs". English are also Celt (proved by recent genetics studies), speak a German language mixed with Old French and have the name of a German tribe, "les Angles". 500 000 English live in France and about several millions dream to live in France. British don't hate France.

    Victor Serge, Lille, France
  • Because they are trying to take over our country. They have taken over Alsace-Lorraine, Brussels and French Flanders successfully and they will try to take over your country as well. They are imperialistic frogs.

    Robin, Leeds Yorkshire
  • I have noticed that Swedish,Dutch,Finnish,Italians, Spanish, Bulgarians,Swiss, Danish and Americans hate the French far more than the English. And the comment from the Autralians on here ... ' The English are inherantly racist' (Pot/Kettle/Black)

    Tom Parry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • There’s lots of things I admire about France and the French; food, country side, Paris, art, good films and civil disobedience. However my grandparents and lots of people of that generation hate them because they let us down so badly in the Second World War and I can totally understand that resentment. Yes some brave French men and women resisted, but they were vastly outnumbered by cowards and traitors, that doesn’t say much for their country as a whole. Despite quite liking the place I instinctively hate to see them do well in the world cup, or anything else, which perhaps means there is some deeper knee-jerk prejudice beneath the surface.

    Steve Howarth, London
  • It's because the English oppress their former colonizers (The Froggy French). You say that we have a "brother to brother" relationship? Thats like saying a Korean is very fond of Japanese culture!

    Jack Little, Liverpool
  • I have visited France many times and had a great time. The Brits secretly like the French but they won't admit it. Visit any supermarket car park in the UK and you will see shoppers putting shopping bags full of French wine, croissants, brie and baguettes into their Peugeots, Citroens and Renaults. This says everything to me!

    John, Widnes, England
  • When Sartre wrote in No Exit that “Hell is other people,” perhaps he meant the French.

    Tim Albrecht, Chicago, USA
  • To Ahmed Osman: 'France runs on nuclear energy':Yes; but coal is cheaper and more effective. 'French have good food:' Brits have to settle for fish'n'chips.' I'd rather potatoe and Cod too (excuse the steryotyping; but)Snails and Frog legs. 'French know how to dress: Brits have to be sensible.' True. Although some of the best tailors in the world are in London. 'Alot of people hate the Brits for their empire: The French couldn't get a very good empire so not many hate them'. fair play - but the British Empire was the most liberal ever seen. 'French have good weather: Brits have all weather, within a single day.' True. 'France is big: Britain is small.' Lets go back to the 'Empire' comment shall we? 'French foreign legion is pretty damn cool: Gurkha's not so much.' Considering the French success rate in wars, and the fact that the legion is made up of FOREIGNERS that is not a well sustained comment. Give me any British regiment any day. 'Most French can read and write their own name: most Brits are on Jeremy Kyle.' Brits tend to go on that show; it being a British talk show... 'You mess around with French police aw big water cannon will knock you out: in Britain an obese white guy will say STOP!'...And wallop you with his truncheon 'French are thin: Brits are fat.'... you being such gourmands makes you so thin does it? 'French built Suez Canal: Brits were thrown out of the suez.'It was actually a Franco-British investment; and I think you'll find that the French got thrown out... hence the 60 years of British colonial rule in Egypt. 'French decyphered the Rosseta Stone: Brits couldn't'. Where is that stone now? Ooo; let me think... 'France made the Morrocans unable to speak arabic: Brits couldn't force English on the egyptians' Like I said... liberal Empire. The real reason for this rivalry and prejudice (Which I admit I am part of) is the fact that not a century has gone by (with the exception of the 20th) without a war between France and Britain/England. And even in the 20th century we destroyed the French Battle Fleet!

    Connor Jones, Oxford
  • I hate you, but I love you. The French rugby team illustrates this perfectly. Playing against England I will them to lose every time, however occasionally they demonstrate a flair, passion and skill from absolutely nowhere that then destroys the competition - in true French style.

    Dom Guy, London, UK
  • I hate the French because when they learn English they learn American English and have the worst range of vocab possible! They also don't know how to have fun and are boring!

    Matt Flatt, Les Sciernes, Switzerland
  • Extraordinary list of rantings. But most of them seem to carry one very clear thread. The 'English' do seem obsessed with the French. Can't imagine why. If it's any consolation, the French don't spend very much time (in films, newspapers, etc.) talking about the English and their foibles. Better things to do perhaps?

    Mark O'Carroll, Paris, France
  • Being 3/4 German and 1/4 English, my family has always expressed a real hatred for the French, and I wouldn't disagree with a single thing they have said. Recently, myself and a few friends took part in an English-French exchange with a College from the South of France. Now, with the exception of one or two French students who were very polite to us and the other host families, all of the other students were shockingly rude, arrogant and very stuck-up! Now, to see if this really IS what the French in general are actually like, I took a trip to Paris, then to the Midi-Pyrenees. And what do you know? Rude, arrogant and stuck-up French people everywhere! I honestly couldn't find a single one who gave me a polite gesture! Also, I'd like to congratulate Connor from Oxford for showing Ahmed what's what. Well done, sir. :)

    John Radcliffe, Falmouth, Cornwall, England, UK
  • I don't really hate the French, I just resent them for the role they played in the American war of independence. I'm not saying that we definitely would have won if they didn't get involved but we would have had a much better chance. For the most part we kicked them out so they said "well if we can't have it, neither can you. We French just don't want you to do well."

    Antony Beck, Walsall, UK
  • As Emma said, pretty sure it goes back to the Battle of Hastings. The Norman (i.e. French) conquest of England abolished English (Old English) as the language of official use, King Harold was dead and the rest of English nobility were deposed, and replaced by French ponces who tried to make us all speak French and Latin. The Anlgo-Saxon chronicles were given up on, and hundreds of Old English books and documents were destroyed. It was the end of an era for the language that Beowolf was written in. By the time the English people and language emerged from Norman subjugation no less than 300 years later, English emerged as Middle English with many Latin and French words now interspersed in the vocabulary. Of course one of the primary reasons it was brought back into officialdom was because it was seen as a unifying factor that brought the country together in the face of a not so new enemy that England now stood against, the French! again..

    Adam, Mansfield England
  • I'm 33 and I can swear I have never eaten a single frog or snail in my life! Some French people do, but for special occasions only, and often in very expensive restaurants...

    Elodie, Reading, UK
  • «There have been some wonderful exceptions but most people here hate me simply because I'm English and do their best to refuse to understand my French with painful expressions.» If you were gone to Québec, you'd have been surprised to how people out of here are trying to help anglophones and most of people will try to speak you their best english.

    Louis Tremblay, School... Canada, Québec
  • I am an Indian who has lived in London and Paris and traveled extensively around the world. I am an upper class, wealthy, sophisticated, old money very well behaved, well dressed and well spoken person - yet for 4 years I lived in England and each time I had to interact with British people it was a BAD experience. Despite the way I look and behave - Brits were still very racist towards me for being an Indian. Now I live in Paris and I find the French to be much more accepting, normal, friendly and cultured than Brits. Fact is - British people are very low class and uncouth for the most part - even educated Brits are very low class and they are JEALOUS of "sophisticated" foreigners from anywhere in the world. They were extremely jealous of me in Britain and I felt very hated there... but in France I feel very welcomed and treated very well as an Indian. I suspect that British hate French also for the same reasons - cultural jealousy - Britain may have done well in terms of building an economy and attracting "working" immigrants - however France is far more successful as a "culture" and the French have far more cultural achievements than the British have. No one thinks of Britain to be a sophisticated cultured country - but France is culturally far more superior to Britain. French people sit at a cafe and enjoy wine - whereas brits go binge drinking at the pub and behave very badly. French kids are much better behaved than british kids. Paris is far more beautiful and stunning than ugly depressing London. Food is better in Britain now - but only because it's all international food - and still the best cuisine in the world is French - no one cares for British cuisine.. erm fat food I mean... it's an insult to even call british food "cuisine". British also hate Indians very much because India is a former colony and in terms of absolute wealth - already much more wealthier than Britain. UK needs India more today than India needs UK - which is why they hate Indians and treat Indians very badly in the UK. I left UK because I was sick of dealing with the hatred and British are generally very nasty, hateful, negative people - french are a bit negative too but overall much more normal, human and stable than Brits. UK is a repressed society with the highest crime levels in Europe - whereas France has the lowest crime levels in Europe - again this is a consequence of british hatred for everyone... they are a frustrated Island blaming all their problems on immigrants. I just wish every immigrant would leave the UK and let them be happy with each other. There were 50,000 hate crimes mostly racist attacks on foreigners this past year in the UK - no other country in the world has such a high percentage of hate crimes. When some Brits post messages saying - they have a lot of friends from all sorts of backgrounds - that means nothing to me because British are never friends with anyone in reality - they backstab even each other and are a very selfish bunch of people. By having a few foreign Friends does not make anyone less-racist - British are the most racist people in the world... and their hatred comes from insecurity, lack of cultural sophistication and living in an unhappy Nanny state repressed society.

    Indian_Aristocrat, Paris, France
  • Ok, so I live in Paris, so all of you English people who have theories about war history and all of that babble, then please shush for a minute. (Ps. I am an English girl living in Paris) It is quite simple. English people have manners. We have grit. We have humour. We have respect for each other on a basic level. Yes, the crime stats in the UK are alarming, but we are able to hold the door open for each other (no gender bias involved here), say hello to our neighbours, and be able to ask the table next to us if it is ok for us to have a cigarette, not just light up when the people next to us our mid-way through their main course, looking back at the person who DARED to ask the question 'do you mind waiting until I finish?' as if they'd just stamped on their handbag with a boot caked in shit. It's being in a bar and waiting your turn, even gesturing towards the person who has been waiting before you when the barman tries to serve you. That's the English way. It's being a good sportsman, being able to say 'well done' to the winning team, even though it hurts. It's not moaning that you have to retire at 62, already the lowest retirement age in Europe AFTER the increase, but getting on with things and working hard. It's not living in possibly the most beautiful city in the world, but not caring at all, and letting your yappy little dog SHIT all over it, wasting so much water every day so that the drains can wash away your cigarette butts into the gutter and the drains because you can't be bothered to put them in the bin. Yes I am still here (circumstances in my life make it difficult to move), but it's been enlightening. I'd trade 20 Frenchmen for 1 Englishman. FACT.

    Katherine, Paris France
  • OK, well I suppose that everyone in the whole world hate French people. But WHY?! I mean, stop the stereotypes things! We don't hate American and English people, we admire them. French teens work a lot to learn English, mostly of them dream to live in NY or London. We watched Skins, Gossip Girl like you. Personally I don't like frogs, neither do many French people. Everyone in France think that our comportment during the WW2 was totally stupid. But we are still proud of our country. Anyway, sorry for all the faults I made, I'm just 14 years old.

    Léa, Paris, France
  • This is just the funniest. Do the English hate the French? Pretty much, no. Like to take the piss - but that's it. Do the French hate the English? If they do, they're keeping it to themselves (the odd occasion when things haven't been alright, but I'm sure it's the same for them). We wouldn't know how to hate you - you're too good at stuff. As for "Indian Aristocrat, Paris" - I don't know who you think your kidding - but you aren't any of those things, are you?

    David McNamee, London, UK
  • 4 reasons: 1)their obsession with underarm hair 2)their food 3)their language 4)the fact that they are French Mock the Week, Hugh Dennis

    Andre Cowen, Kettering, England
  • For those of you that are reading this and are not English or French I dont think you would ever fully understand why we hate each other. those who have said there is no rivalry between the two are lying. the two countries have been squabbling for nearly a 1000 years now!! its only since ww1 we have not been warring with each other. No other countries in the world have had so many wars between them as England and France..... But at the end of the day the world has changed and we should all swallow our pride and get forget about the past and work to the future for the greater good! It does not matter if you are French English German of Even American.... Black white yellow..... If you are a good person you are a good person and that should be the end of it!!

    Adrian, Peterborough ENGLAND
  • On my only visit to Paris, I found most locals were pleasant, but some ignored me despite my attempts at speaking French. They could not have known I was English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish, American... I just was not French..! The few French people I've met over here have been interesting and enlivening.. It's funny to say that we have a history with the French, we have a history with a lot of countries! I'm very proud of being English, I guess they are very proud of being French. IMO, the media have a lot to do with whipping up the 'them and us' stuff.

    Sarah, Hampshire England
  • All these people who keep talking about the Battle of Hastings and the Normans, that wasn't the French the Normans were from Scandinavia hence the name Norse men (north men) they had already invaded France and built castles there.

    ricky, london england
  • We now live in a global, open age. Whilst there will be a minority that show hatred (because the world isn't black and white), in this modern age we are simply just two countries trying to exist in a crazy world and I see no need for rivalry. Both countries have provided much to the world and should be proud. It is just hot air; it just appears to be human nature for country A to rival neighbouring country B.

    Andrew Green, London England
  • I think it's obvious why the English don't like us... They're jealous because we are so much more handsome , better looking, better in bed, smarter, our food is better and Paris is more popular than London! But still, I somehow like the English anyway ;)

    Pauline, Paris France
  • these answers have been funny to read honestly. It seems like both countries just think they're superior to everyone.

    anonymous, FL US
  • My wife and I are witnesses and we certainly don't hate anyone.,we all have to suffer this bad system of things.I myself have lived in the uk 16 years and 3 years in germany too. But I have to admit that I like "english-cuisine". Actually we buy a lot of english food from one of your companies "british corner shop, everytime we receive our carton it's always "fresh and very well wrapped too!.But as you know we do house calling and I have never heard any critics upon the english! personally i would like to see "english fish'n chips shops in france.

    saniez, saulxures sur moselotte france
  • I'm Welsh and I feel that the only thing that truly unites the Scottish, English and Welsh is the mutual hatred for France.

    Jonathan Dart, Cardiff Wales, UK
  • I am French as I said in a previous comment. But I do not make a big fuss about it. My favourite people in Europe are the English. Actually, I love them. If they ever say anything against the French it is because the French deserve it. I have never seen someone more arrogant than my own people. They think they know it all, but they don't. A German friend of mine once said: "The French are an inferior people who hide behind their accomplishments. I think the French deserve to hear that... When I was living in England I met Scottish and Welsh people. To foreigners, they say that they do not like the English but in front of the English they act like they are such good British. One time back in 1975, I went to a bed-and-breakfast to stay for the night. When I arrived the English owner asked me if I had eaten and I said "No", so she offered to cook me something but she had to go and get something from the store. While she was gone I was talking with a Scottish girl. I asked her how she liked England and she said she did not like it. So I asked her why she lived in England if she did not like it. The the English lady came back with my meal. Next morning, before I left, she talked to me and she told me that she heard what the Scottish girl and I said. She told me that a lot of Welsh and Scots move to Newcastle to work and she does not like their attitude and that she prefers foreigners. What gets me about my own people the French is that the people they criticize the most are the people who helped them the most like Americans, Australians, Canadians, English and New Zealanders. Who can afford to bite the hand that feeds them? I like English food and as a Frenchman, I do not think that the French have the best food in the world at all. I think it is a question of what you are ready to give it a try and be grateful that we can eat daily meals in our free countries. The only thing that I cannot eat is steak and kidney pie because I find kidney tough to eat not because the recipe is English. But in France I did not like to eat liver that my own mother would cook. Bless her heart she meant well but I could not get this thing into my system.

    Bert Feuvray, Hardin, Montana USA
  • Somebody mentioned how the English are not beautiful. I disagree because one time a friend of mine from the States said he was ready to move to England because he liked the women. Personally, I like people and cultures from other countries even though I am French. I do so well in that area that I actually moved to America and now I am an American citizen. When it comes to the English, not enough credit is given them because they tend to be self critical so others think let's be critical of them as well. With the French they think highly of themselves so others say "let's not upset them and butter them up." The only time a foreigner in France will tell you what he or she really thinks of France or the French is when you ask them to be honest with you. Bert Feuvray

    Bert Feuvray, Hardin Big Horn, Montana
  • It is more the case that the French hate the English. Remember, it is the losers who end up hating the winners, not vice versa.

    John Huddy, London, UK
  • I don't think there is much difference between us and the French or us and the Germans or Swiss/Italian/Dutch other than the language. I don't hate the USA, but I find Americans far more annoying than our European neighbours in many repects.

    john pearson, London, UK
  • One of the people who made a comment said that Paris is better than London. I disagree. The only thing that Paris has better than London is the Underground. Otherwise, Paris is a smelly place and it all looks grey. London is a beautiful city in comparison. I spent 10 years in London and I loved it. Of all the cities I have ever lived, London is my favorite. I love the black taxi cabs, the red buses you can jump in anytime, the low taxes that encourages business and the free museums. I worked as a postman for 4 1/2 years in London, I had to learn all the streets in London W1. The cafeteria at work provided great food for a fairly cheap price--no doubt it was subsidized--and I loved my work mates. As a Frenchman I can say something other Frenchmen or Frenchwomen cannot admit to say. It is that France or the French are not the best in everything. Personally, I like what is different. If I had to choose to go to foreign countries, it would be somewhere where they do not speak French because it would be as if I had never left France.

    Bertrand Feuvray, Hardin, Montana USA
  • As an Italian I cherish both countries and don't think one hates the other. We are all Europeans neighbours and a little bit of jealousy goes well sometimes.

    Franciescolli Palloni, Rome Italy
  • French do not have good food it is bland, undercooked meat and overcooked vegetables. The French always think they are correct and everyone else is wrong. But France is a nice country, if all the French people left.

    Graham Walker, Rotherham England
  • C'est de bonne guerre: I think the English and the French love to pretend like they hate each other, but they actually secretly admire each other indeed the English were our "traditional enemy", "our most dear enemies" we have an immense panorama of conflicts and also the best military rivalry in history with them. We are still in competition. We tend to compare ourselves in some domains, we are rivals.

    Alain DECROIX, Belfort France
  • The English don't hate the French and vice versa. At least, the powers that be do not. That's because the same "tribe" that controls England also controls France (and the rest of the world). Also, you will note that England was ruled by Plantagent monarchs for a couple hundred years. :)

    American, Historian USA
  • I am a very anglophile French person so much happier to live in London, rather in Paris because people here are simply are more polite. However I always feel hurt when people in England look at me aggressively when they hear me speak French to my 7 year old daughter. It also saddens me every time someone takes the piss out of my accent or offers a voluntarily biased version of French history. I cannot think of anyone doing that in France to English people. Simply because French people are less nationalist, less belliquous than many English. That francophobia always keeps me returning to France but French arrogance and lack of civility keeps me crossing the Channel again and over again !!!! Can I then conclude that I am a by-product of cross-Channel frustration !?

    Jean Bernard, Wimbledon UK
  • I love the English, but I think I know why you don't like the French very much. The French have better weather, better food, better artists, better clothes, better looking people, and an unpronounceable language that everyone thinks sounds sexy. The English have awful weather, bland food, good artists (excellent musicians!), serviceable clothes, dental "issues," and a language that sounds too Germanic to be pretty. Be honest, you've coveted the goods of your neighbor across the Channel for nearly a thousand years. Consider, if you will, that whole Hundred Years' War thing... After multiple victories, at the moment when you had them almost completely conquered, you got beaten by a teenage French girl. And then to make matters worse, you burned her to death and tried to convince everyone she was a witch. But nobody believed you and instead they all thought you were jerks for killing her. That must really suck. Deep down we all know that the French don't work nearly as hard as the English. They're not reliable. They're arrogant. They're not as discipline (hell, they're not disciplined at all). They're complete screw-ups really... but they still get all the breaks! It's offensive. If I were English, I'd hate them too.

    Ann, Los Angeles USA
  • With the English, or with the French, depending if you are French or English, the rivalry is more like a game of chess. When they were fighting, it was just like that: no dirty tricks. One time, French and British troops were facing each other ready to fight but no-one actually started to shoot. So the English officer in charge then said to the French officer in charge: "It is your turn to start shooting this time". Then either before or after, during the American Revolutionary War, after the War was lost for England, British and French officers got together and talked while they were waiting for everything to be finalized. There is evidence, that even Cornwallis borrowed money from French officers. And many French officers lent money to English officers who paid them back. Apparently, the impression French officers left for helping the British officers with money was positive and was remembered for a long time in England. What is so interesting in all this is this: yes the French wanted to get even with the English, but they were not willing to play the game of the Americans. American troops were in rags. They had no manners. They wanted to be mean to the defeated British and the French officers would not allow it. This particular evidence talks about the fact that the French victors preferred to associate with the British vanquished because British and French officers were alter all gentlemen. And that is why the English and the French will feel close when you compare them to another nationality outside Europe. So all this is on a higher level than rivalry across the Channel. I think that in the end it will not be Germany who will be the closest ally of France because of economic alliance but Britain because France will put her military defense above economic alliance. Right now France is slowly becoming smaller and smaller compared to Germany economically. But compared to Britain, they are more even. For all those efforts to promote close cooperation with Germany, it is not very successful. But almost in the background, the cooperation with Britain is becoming bigger and bigger. I just think that Britain and France is like a reflection of each other in a mirror. When the 2 CV was popular in France during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, the English used to think it was a funny little thing something that only the French would make. Then by the time the French decided to not produce anymore of them in the mid to late 1980s, the English had fallen in love with it. This is an example that shows that they want the same thing but not at the same time As a Frenchman, naturalized American citizen, I feel a deep love for England. I support the existence of Britain but England is the country of the union of Great Britain that I admire the most. Like the song says: "There will always be an England." I hope so.

    Bert Feuvray, Hardin, Montana USA
  • For me, the French and English are the evil of humanity. They colonized all corners of the globe, and are arrogant and think that they are superior to all other humans except Germans. I won't mind if they kill each others or hate each others. They are both equally "devils".

    Zimmer, Chicago, US
  • Very enjoyable read. As a mixed race Scotsman living and raising a family in French Catalonia, the contradictons inherent in the relationship between France and England are always fascinating. The history stuff, while influencing, is probably irrelevant these days. This is the 21st Century, let's all move on. Do I like the French? I don't really know them that well. They're quite a closed people, but then my French is not particlarly good. I admire the fact they cling to their way of life and it's a very attractive one, but can see that this is all one day going to come crashing economically down around them. I now think the Gallic shrug is one of resignation as opposed to arrogance. The bureaucracy here is shockingly burdensome and complex, with one public servant (functionaire) to the next always giving different answers. Basically, because they don't understand their own system. The people down here see themselves as Catalans and want to rejoin with the Catalans on the other side of the border. They seem to like the French (Paris) less than anybody, but then so does much of provincial France. Do I like the English? Yes, I was born there but the weather is ghastly and worse of course in Scotland. But it seems that the weather in Paris is much the same as London. Do the English hate the French? Not really, but it can seem like it because elements of the press pursue blunt jingoism and xenophobia to sell newsprint. To our aristocratic Indian friend. I'm very sorry you had such a time in the UK and it has left you feeling so bitter. If Paris is what suits you then I am glad for you. Be happy and give London another chance. It sounds like you moved in the wrong circles while you were there.

    Martin, Le Soler France
  • Wahoo, it's so funny, I didn't think that English people hate French people that much! Personally, I think that the both countries just carried what happened many years before. But, hey, it's just past! Personally, I'm very offend about what you're saying about French people because it seems like you just consider rude french. Obviously, there are rude french, like there are rude english, rude germans, rude japanese! What a stupid conflict, english aren't coolest just because they're English; just think about what you say : Stereotyping. And the plea "French doesn't want to speak English" you use is a kind of stupid. French people learns english language to school, but late, so it's more difficult and in fact, lots of french people don't make studies in foreign languages so logically their english isn't very good but it's not really their fault. In brief, i think that these stupid quarells should stop, stop the prejudices and live in peace all of us ! :) * Personnally, i went to England four time and i intend to return : Wonderful landscapes, wonderul people and wonderful langage ! I'm 17 years old by the way, (sorry for my mistakes!)

    Aline, Valenciennes France
  • My life ambition was to work in France, and I did so in 2000. I love the British humour, my fear was how that would travel across the channel. Well, I had no problem. The guys and girls I worked with in France loved my quirky sense of humour, and I introduced them to our sense of humour and laughter. I could not have worked with more wonderful people. Although some did not like England, it did not mean they disliked me. Thus, whenever I hear an English person slate a French person, I always say, until you have worked and lived with them, do not pass comment, for I found them helpful, fun, and charming... Also, they liked our food (always brought back to France English goodies) An Englishman in a strange land....I was most welcomed.

    Ken Pitcher, Dover England
  • The English hate us because the French have colonized their country in 1066. The viking who settled in France were mixed with the French local population more numerous , they adopted the language of the French , the traditons of the French , the culture , the religion of the French , and after few generation the Viking had become French . The truth is that during 800 years the French defeated regularly the English who have practically always need allies to fought the French alone . The French hate the English because they have a shameful attitude in 1940 , they were too afraid by the Blitzkrieg that they fled in their island protected by the general Channel and the French covered their stampede and saved a great part of their army .Does not forget too the despicable attitude of the English when they attacked the French fleet at Mers el kebir , the French fleet was at docks and could not defend themselves.Even Sommervile the English admiral was ashamed of what have done the English navy .

    Jeff, France
  • To Zimmer from Chicago: The English and the French are not devils. For me colonization had two sides to look at just like a coin. Back in the 1980s, both English and French were perceived as the languages of freedom in Africa. The English gave a lot to the world besides English. They gave the Bill of Rights, the Magna Carta, etc. Countries like Canada, Australia, America, New Zealand would not be as well off under a native rule. For one, they would not have been united on such a large geographical scale. So to see large countries like Canada, USA, Australia is a miracle to me. I am French by birth but American by naturalized citizenship and I live in the USA because I like its achievements. It is so new and yet they accomplished ore than other countries that have been around much longer and did not seem to have learned important human oriented things like the Bill of Rights, etc. The achievements of France are not as great as those of England but France is a democracy, thanks to the American example. France changed because she fell in love with the desire of American colonists to be free and form their own country. This does not mean that England was not good. It was. The break up took place because England went through a short period where some of its nobles aspirations were not honored by George the King of England. But funny enough, soon after America declared its independence, English Liberals who were in favor of the American colonists were elected in England and brought back the ideals that were dear to the English people. So Zimmer you were wrong about the English and the French.

    Bertrand Feuvray, Hardin, Montana USA
  • The answer is simple. French and English is like an old couple. We keep arguing all the time for silly things but because we love each other.

    alex, london uk
  • I dont get these Americans. Why show abhor towards the french? I am an American but proud of my french ancesters. I am English, Irish, and Scottish. I have a lot of History in the U.K. When I was young I would have frequent dreams of people and castles in the U.K. I recently acquired my family tree... I was very impressed. My name originated from Garris, France. King Arthur was my ancesters uncle. Two brothers were round table knights. They were sons of King of Oatney... I am very proud of my heritage. If there were one place I want to be it would be the U.K. Yes they are better then Americans hands down.

    lex, willsbarre U.S.
  • The Real English are the Celts and Anglo Saxons. After the Norman conquest the Normans formed the ruling class, and their decendents still are the Lords of the Manor. The real english are kept down as they have been for a thousand years by the Norman barrons decendants. There is still a struggle going on in England between the English and the Norman French invader.

    john, bodmin england
  • I agree with the English Gentleman who says that the Norman French still control England. But if you study the Story of English, just like their language, the Norman French were quickly assimilated into the Anglo-Saxon Melting Pot of England. Sure, they still own and control things but that was softened through the Magna Carta when John the Landless, brother of Richard the Lion Heart was rebuked by Parliament and a new document was issued to prevent more abuse from that particular king. It was also because of the Norman French that France and England fought because the Plantagenets had allies in Aquitaine, Normandy and Brittany. All of Western France was allied with England against the King of France. I find this fascinating that both countries influenced each other in an even manner. English is full of French words. I once read in a book called "The influence of France in the English Educational System" that English was like a museum of Antiquity for the French language. We got old French words back through English. Sport was an old French word that came back to French through English. So why should the French complain that English won against French? French was replaced by a language that is so French itself. University professors agree that 60% of worlds in English came from French and Latin. So why are those weird French crying about nothing. I feel I can say that because I am French myself. That is all the French do is cry about nothing. England has done so much for France. England was present for France when no other nation was present in perilous times. France should be grateful that England gave us a nice language. English is a beautiful language. So why cry about things that do not exist. Let's rejoice about the great things that England has shared with the world that few give her credit for. Bertrand Feuvray

    Bertrand Feuvray, Hardin, Montana USA
  • I like what the English gentleman whose signed his name below the following said about France and the French: "I think Rowan Atkinson summed it up well with Richard Curtis & Howard Goodall's lyrics in his Live in Belfast performance. We offered kindly to donate them Calais And all they gave us back was the bidet And now they won't let us go on holiday. They bottle bath-water (or 7 Up) and call it Perrier They eat poor froggie's legs then throw the rest away. They even like the look of Johnny Holliday. They eat raw garlic and invented croquet. They think the height of chic is John Paul Gautier. They all wear berets and they're all called Jacques, They even steal from us the words they lack Le weekend, Le Camping and cul de sac. They claim their films are the best we've ever had. Well I suppose Emmannuelle wasn't bad. All their songs sound more or less the same La la la la la la la la.........je t'aime Charles Aznavour is always so depressed Wouldn't you be if oui oui meant yes? Sacha Distel has raindrops falling on his head I wonder if Jean Paul Sartre knows he is dead. What I resent is that they're so good in bed. They bake their bread in such a naughty shape. They brag about their wine and worship the grape. They criticise our food but then they eat crepe. And now they started coming here in droves French cigarettes, French letters and French clothes I'm sick and tired of eating all this brie. A day trip to Boulougne is fine by me. And I'll be buggered if I go to gay Paris. They're pretty cocky 'bout their games in the dark. They think with girls they light a special spark. But look what the bastards did to Joan of Arc" I remember how the word "bidet" shocked some people while I was living in England. And the poor frogs whose legs have become a delicacy in France. I can see why this is shocking to the English who love animals. And why just eat the legs and throw the rest away. Perrier to me a Frenchman does not taste that good. I can see why the English would call it "bath water." And garlic, the English would call the French Gallic. I would hear from time to time: "...Gallic or / and their taste of Garlic..." And Criquet is a French word but the name of an English sport. Ironically, it was invented by French Huguenots who exiled themselves to England because of persecution by French Catholics or Catholic France. Shame on France for kicking the cream of the crop of France. The Huguenots were the arts and crafts of the French nation. What a loss to France and a blessing to England. I never wore a beret or owned one. I do not even like them and I think they look ridiculous on Frenchmen. The only time I like them is when they are worn by Anglo Saxon - English or Americans, etc. - women in a way that is typical to them: so English or American. I do not care much for Charles Aznavour. But I like Jane Birkin - an English girl - She had this very English thing that appeals to French people. When I was living in London, England I saw shops with the name Sacha Distel on it. English ladies liked him. I think the French fabricated this story of Joan of Arc in order to unite the French people under one people and for the French king to re-claim his subjects. Why should a girl have a vision for a people when the Pope is supposed to be the Head of the Catholic Church? That does not make any sense. It was heresy. And the way the Revolutionaries of 1789 used her and the Left and the Right and Women's Lib use her today is so disgusting. Anyway I like what that English gentleman said. It was so English and so good. Bertrand Feuvray

    Bertrand Feuvray, Hardin, Montana France
  • Hate is not a great choice of word. As a generalisation, there is not a warm relationship between the 2 countries. But France and England are not alone in this. Others are far worse. It is based on years of 2 superpowers of yesteryear knocking seven bells of cr*p out of each other.

    Andy Newman, Warrington England
  • Hi there. I totally agree with most comments but what really irks me is the insensitivity of both the British and the French towards outsiders. I personally, lived in Bristol. South West of England for 1 year. During that time, I encountered many nice British people and their understanding of where I come from. My aunty who is married to a french, from the Brittany region asked me to visit her and her family. I went with hesitation and I finally found another side to the story. Whilst there, I found most of the French to be rather timid and quiet and having some sort of inferiority complex when they talk to me. I find it humbling but I can see that the lacking of the ability to converse in English to be a factor. Many British people in the Ferry I took from Plymouth to Roscoff, seem to be able to communicate competent french, but on the way back, most french in the ferry had less than functional english. Maybe its the language.

    Alex De Souza, Bristol, United Kingdom Singapore
  • I am simply revolted that the British and any other population might think that we could manage to be this hateful. True, we have lots of stereotypes about others, but others have stereotypes on us: sex, baguettes and wine. To be honest, we get taught more and more that we are no better than others. We just stick out with one or two specialties, but overall we give others no reasons to hate us. As for old quarrels, i wish to say one thing: Shakespeare is dead "From ancient grudge break to new mutiny" Get over it and let's be friends

    Antoine Faure, Millau France
  • My grandad told my dad about the French he met during the war when he was sent over after German invasion. He said he saw French troups running away on the front line. The UK soldiers were shouting were ya going its your country. My grandad fought in France for French people and he wasnt very impressed.he was prisoner of war in Rhine forest. When war was over he walked through France and didn't get offered even a drink of water after the Germans let him go. Problem with the French is they all gob and no action.and look at them now up the Germans arse again in Europe.the Germans must love it.

    ryan wood, workington cumbria england
  • Well personally, I find the English greatly interesting, though admittedly a strange country. However, my feelings towards england aren't bad ones, my husband comes from England, we now live there together in a small cottage on the beautiful country side with our children, and I love it here more than France, though it may be the company rather than the place sometimes. Our children happily go to school in the English countryside and I'd much rather then go here compared to the segregated french system, allowing my female and male children to study together under the eye of a wonderful professor in a brilliant place. I have learnt much being here including expanding my household skills and growing my love for my new, extremly ginger family.

    Fleur Delacour, Paris France
  • Gross historical generalisations should be taken as a game, and all of us occasionally enjoy them. From this point of view: thanks, Germany! From 1870 they became "our" archenemy (previously they were largely ignored). They took the place of the English, our old rivals for centuries. Which enables us, today, to transform this so-called hatred into a kind of family joke. Salut à vous, amis anglais! (Forgive my Frenglish.)

    Jean-Francois, Paris, France
  • This love hate relationship between the English and French goes back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. No nation is superior to another. No man's an island. Is it not time to stop this Battle of Hastings and make peace with each other for the good of all? Hate is a choice not a battle.

    Cara, Brooklyn, US
  • Many horrible, racist people on here. How can you hate people when you don't know them personally? Everyone in different countries have good and bad people living there.

    Vanessa, Leeds, UK
  • People in Australia and New Zealand don't get the enmity between the French and the English. One nation gave the world parliamentary democracy, the other gave the world the knowledge that even the poor and oppressed can start revolutions and demand that their governments be accountable. Both powerful forces for freedom. Great admiration for both. I hate it when mum and dad fight.

    Farrise, Auckland, New Zealand
  • First of all nowadays this question is not relevant anymore. England owes most its history to France and more particularly to the Normans. After the battle of Hastings (1066) the language of the English court was French for 400 years. And the English kings were mostly from the French nobility and because of that they claimed for the French crown, this was the main reason of the conflicts. The English language has 70% of his words coming from French. The wars between France and England is over so no hatred remains nowadays.

    Steeve B., Paris, France
  • How could you say that the British empire had a "liberal" empire. They have what they call a "commonwealth" which shows that they are still imperialist look at Pondicherry, when India got its independence they wanted pondicherry also, but the people in Pondicherry wanted to stay french because the french were nice with the people of their colony not like the British that discriminated everybody that weren't British. The British are just jealous of the French because they are the Fifth most powerful country and the "UK" not even England is is seventh, they're also jealous that Paris is more beautiful than London, I'm French and I've never eaten a frog leg. British are conservative, where is the gay marriage in the UK that's why they hate the French because they are more liberal than the British.

    Arthur Donnellier, Paris France
  • Arthur Donnelier you are an idiot. I am French too but I am not so proud of it as you say you are. You do not even know anything except the addiction that was forced down your throat about your country of France. I hate France with a passion and I am glad for every time that England kicked France's ass in war. They won more wars than France so why should they be jealous of France. As a German observer once said: "The French are an inferior people who hide behind their accomplishments." I think this statement is so true because of all the obsessions that the French have about their culture. It is always about things never about ideas or ideals. They boast as people with poor manners do. They think they are liked but they are the most hated Europeans of Europe by the other Europeans. So the French should shut up.

    Bertrand Feuvray, Hardin Montana USA


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