It is a stereotype that the French hate Americans. But then, who could love us when we renamed French fries “freedom fries” and poured out their precious wine, after the war in Iraq started? But the tension and competition go back much further.
Like many clichés, there’s a soupçon of truth inside that tired trope. But the French are also fascinated by Americans, as we are by them. In other words: It’s complicated.
So, while hate is way too strong a word, here are some things which over the years I personally have heard the French, ever proudly critical, complain about when it comes to Americans:
We are loud. And if you’ve ever eaten in a crowded US restaurant, then in a French one, you know this one is absolutely true.
We are insincere. The French don’t smile a lot, or open up to strangers, or lavish others with compliments. They don’t “gush”, like we do. So they tend to view that behavior as overwrought drama.
We love guns. Only hunters have legal guns here in France, and they must have a hunting license and undergo a psychological evaluation to get one. And there is way less violent crime in France. Increasingly our French friends are saying they are reluctant to travel to America, they are afraid of mass shootings and crime (so are we).
We don’t speak their language. The beautiful French language is revered in France with a religious zeal. Europeans, especially, learn to speak French early and European ex-pats nearly always speak French. We older American ex-pats got a late start, so we really have to work at it. But working at it gives you a pass (for us, it’s means lifetime of French lessons and conversation groups, in addition to our natural immersion program). It’s the classic “Ugly American” who doesn’t even try to learn French.
There's also a sort of English creep (English words sneaking into the French language) which drives the purists bonkers.
We elected Trump. I have never met a single French person who was not completely baffled and appalled by his popularity. It's often their first question when they learn we are Americans. “What happened to the States? Why did you elect such a horrible person?”
They think we are all rich, and that we love to flaunt it. In France, money, wealth, investments. etc. are rarely discussed, and those with wealth often go to great lengths to hide it. Ostentatious displays of wealth are considered crass.
And what they love…
It goes without saying, they are still very very grateful for our role in World War II. We just went to a wonderful fête here in Beaune in which the US role was grandly celebrated.
They love to visit the States. The French are enthralled with the enormous size of our country, the wide open spaces, the nature and the parks. Most are also fascinated by New York City and California; I sometimes think many French hardly know the rest of the country exists.
Our music. American music is ubiquitous here. Especially American jazz, which they adore. They watch a lot of our TV and movies, too.
Our history. The French are very knowledgeable about their history, and ours. It's covered well in their schools and it has made history buffs out of many. I cannot count how many times I’ve met a new French person, even a blue collar worker, and they immediately want to launch into a discussion of US history. Most know way more than I do!
As always, it’s the cultural differences here that fascinate! One could I’m sure make a similar list in reverse—maybe France and the US are fated to have a love-hate relationship. What are your thoughts, and what’s on your list?
Let's mash up these two cultures with a recipe that's perfect for apéros or a starter course. It has some decidedly French flavors, but comes to us from Debbie, my Canadian/American expat friend, by way of her friend Jocelyn. I think everyone Debbie serves it to asks for the recipe! It's also very pretty, and easy to eat.
RECIPE: Debbie and Jocelyn's Parmesan Walnut Salad in Endive Leaves
1 small clove garlic, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/2 tsp salt
1 tablespoon mayo
2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 lb Parmesan Reggianno sliced and diced to 1/8" peices
(about 1 cup)
1/2 cup finely chopped peeled apple
Belgian endives (small - cut ends off to easily peel leaves - sometimes you have to cut the ends more than once)
1 cup walnuts, toasted lightly and chopped fine
1/4 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley
Whisk together garlic paste, mayo, lemon juice and oil. Stir in parmesan and apple. Salad may be prepared to this point one day ahead and chilled. Trim endives and separate leaves. Wrap in dampened paper towels and put in plastic bag, again one day in advance if you like. When you're ready to serve it, stir walnuts and parsley into salad, scoop about 1 tablespoon salad into individual endive leaves and serve.
In the COMMENTS: Apparently iced tea has been in France for a while, bottled and on the soft drink aisle which I never frequent, so I've missed it, but which several of you have "suffered with", as Susan says. Jane, you are being quite British but in the South, sugar in iced tea is just a given! Candi, this tea maker you mention is new to me. Peggy, I'll never catch up with you in the tea department. Natalia, I must try the tea you mentioned because one of my close friends will drink only that! Carrie knows a site which takes cold-brewed iced tea to a new level. Frank, you've hit on a great idea for the bistros (hope y'all are over your covid, bonne santé).
Favorite READS and SHOWS: our reader-in-residence Natalia says Dictionary of Lost Words is fun and different. I'm dipping into a Graham Green book I haven't read, called Our Man in Havana, since Travels with My Aunt is one of my favorite books. And our reader Barbara also like watching Signora Volpe, discussed last time, and says she also loves Candice Renoir and Balthazar (on Acorn), which I can't wait to try.
