Why do people have an idealistic vision of France ?

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Scorpy

What? Are you actually telling me that England is not like the one I see in my weekly Midsomer murders or the one from the two fat ladies? You have no rights of breaking all my dreams like that!

What can I say? France has its good sides and bad sides (most of all are in the suburbs near Paris, Lyon or Marseille, lots of violence and poverty, like in every nice country), but of course, I have my own idea of America, like it is shown in series and movies. I love the NY from "sex and the city", I'd not put a foot in the same city like it is described in NYPD Blue (even if I adore the serie).
Why do we see always the same places? NY, CA, Washington, Miami and never ever the Kentucky, Idaho, Dakota or Montana?

What do you know about France if we except Paris? (and maybe the French Riviera?)

picklemcnickel

because of what they see in media and from history. I personally like France, nothing wrong over there. Its just all media.

the_lipsiot

Please could fo sho dawww tell me where I can get a gondola ride in France ?

I'm assuming that when you say "people" you actually mean "Americans"?

The answer is probably for the same reason that many Yanks believe that we in little ol' England all live in thatched cottages in quaint little villages and travel to work on red double-decker buses wearing a bowler hat.

It's the image that the media like to put across to entice people to come and visit.

Bits of France (like England) are very beautiful indeed, but there are plenty of grotty bits (again like England).

smooth c

most people don't. It's just like any where else it has its good side that they show on tv and post cards and then there is the bad side just like any geto is a dump for the most part.

J J

Because any county that outputs food that good must have a lot going for it.

Because you guys married beautiful south pacific islands with french food.

fo sho dawwww

because France is romantic and the mental imaqe i qet when thinkinq of France is a man sinqinq to me on a qondola

(:

SLF

not sure what you are getting at. I think many of us like the French attitude of sticking two fingers up at government, the absence of the Big Brother thing we have in the UK, with CCTV everywhere, the absence of binge drinking, and of course the food and scenery.

Calm

Because their way of living is humanitarian. They have socialized medicine where even the poorest get healthcare. They provide ample family time at childbirth for both parents......Take a peek at Michael Moore's SICKO...it gives som real keen insights.

VIVA LA FRANCE!

Knowitall

What planet are you on??

Most people think France is dirty and kinda gross, the people smell and are rude.

I think it is not that bad but ask around and I don't know anyone that thinks france is idealistic. Maybe back in the 50s they did.

cb0257

Well, I guess the media and Hollywood in general can have quite a distorted vision of anything, really...
France isn't idealistic, nor dreadful. I'm from France, living in SF, CA, I personally don't smell bad (well, i smell quite nice actually) and don't really think I am rude (here in the US, I might be the only in the bus to leave a seat to the older people, while "less rude" Americans don't move). I don't speak loud enough maybe to be in the "cool crowd", but once you get to know me and appreciate me you are my friend forever and I 'll work hard at it. I don't smile all the time either, I need a reason to do so.

France is a beautiful country, full of history, culture and good food, as are the US and Britain.
French people are very proud to be French, as American are and British people are.

There are the bad sides too, don't ever get lost in the Banlieues (projects) of the big cities it is true for the US and Britain as well.

As for us being cowards, well, yes we signed a peace treaty with the German in WWII, after combating for almost 2 years (while the US didn't want to enter the war, remember?). It was a government decision, may be not the one of the ordinary people... You know, like the war in Irak is not fully supported by the American people, tell me if I am wrong... This war hasn't been the smartest move of this government, but I don't say that all Americans are stupid.

Well, I could go on and on... One advice, just go there, travel, open your mind and keep clear of stereotypes.

Andio

I don't!! They cave pretty easily, just look at WWII

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