Posted: 10/29/2004 6:03:45 AM EDT
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The graduate program I am in is going to allow us (20 or so of us) the opportunity, next summer, to travel to france to study. I'd like a list of concise (key word there!) arguements to use to discourage others from going, and contributing the first penny to the french economy. (no, I'm not going) |
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As long as you stay away from smelly North Africans, Paris is an absolutely beautiful city. The French countryside is really nice, and as a general rule, once you're outside Paris, the people are actually pretty nice. (It's mostly the parisians that are rude assholes). That said - depending on your graduate program, why not go to Great Britian to study abroad? Great Britian is like a million times better than France. |
If I could afford it, I'd go to the Czech republic, Poland, Switzerland, or Austria. Not france. Not to a french university. American universities are bad enough...what would france be like? |
I see your point.... But I'm looking for principled arguements here, not tour-the-world encouragement. |
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One of the companies the GF and I represent has awarded her with TWO expenses paid trips to france. (NOT capitalized on purpose-they need to earn my respect first) This is no shit-we DID NOT go to france on either trip. The first time we went to Kauai, as she'd never been to Hawaii. (it was my 3rd trip) The second time she, her sister and her daughter went to Tahoe for a week, as she'd never been there and I formerly lived in PRK and I've been to Tahoe more times than I can remember. We think we're on the verge of winning another trip and I'm leaning heavily towards Poland, maybe Austria or Switzerland, Norway, Sweden or Finland. For years I would have liked to go to germany or maybe france but FUCK THEM now. I'd rather do Belguim or some other place in that area. To give an answer to your question, why would you want to go to a country that ADMITS it wants to be a counterbalance to U.S. influence in Europe, resigned from NATO in the height of the Cold War, and has ZERO guilty conscience about thumbing it's nose to a country that SAVED IT'S ASS TWICE? |
Okay - Why study abroad in a country where nobody speaks your language? Why study abroad in a country with a VERY high proportion of muslims and north africans who hate Americans, and might want to hurt you (I imagine a unversity would be very worried about liability if a student gets hurt) How many good universities are there in France? I can think of many in Britain, but not a whole lot in France (I'm sure there are some - but are they better than British ones?) If I were spending $$$ to study overseas, I'd want the best schools. |
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France sucks. Been there twice. Here's my short list. Reason to go- 1. Historical interest. 2. Great ancient and modern architecture. Reasons not to go. 1. Fugly women (contrary to popular belief) 2. Food sucks (and I'll eat almost anything) 3. Everyone is whinny. 4. If I had $5 every time a Frog prefaced dialog with "Why is it that you Americans" insert stupid question here. 5. As a whole they're very jealous of and resentful of Americans. 6. Hotels are filthy, even the nice ones. 7. Unisex public restrooms. Many without stall dividers WTF is that all about? Ever try to piss with a hairy legged skank sitting next to you? I ain't easy my friend. 8. Did I mention Fugly women? 9. Lots of 10. Lots of Save yourself some money on take a trip to Hollywood and you'll get the same basic experience. 
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I was in France when I was a teenager (part of a high-school aged jazz-band and show choir). Paris, July 1987: My companions and I needed to exchange money (this was WAY before the Euro). So I approached a likely-looking French woman (being the only one in our group who knew ANY French): "Escusez moi. Ou est un banque?" "<blah blah blah blah> droit <blah blah blah blah> gauche <blah blah blah blah> au coin." "Merci beaucoup." Translation: "Excuse me. Where is a bank?" "You go to the end of the block, turn right, go another block, turn left, and it'll be on the corner." "Thank you very much." "<under breath> Stupid American kid thinks he speaks French. I just sent him to the only bank in Paris which doesn't exchange money! Le Ha, le Ha, le Ha!" I don't understand it completely, but they really DO NOT LIKE AMERICANS. I think it's because they know, that we know, that they know, that the only reason their entire language and culture exists is because America saved their butts TWICE (twice repaying the one time they helped us, back in the late 1700's). They also are starting to realize that American wines are giving them real competition in international prestige (and what is France without They'll take our money, but they don't want anything else. (Eastern France isn't so bad, but they're been overrun by the Germans so many times that they're not really French, kind of like parts of the Southwest are more Mexican than American.) I'd save tous [le spit on le ground] dollars Americain. |
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DK: I intended to include your Fatherland with the Belguim comment but was felt I was prattling along and needed to bring my comment to a close. HELL YES, Dennmark. U.S. supporter in Iraq. I think you just reminded me to elevate Denmark right up there with Poland. Maybe even above. |
5. Complete lack of respect for ANYTHING. Manners, what the hell are they? Je suis blablahblahomlettedufromage. |
Belgium is pretty much france, avoid it too. I just got back from there and wish I never went, except for the waffles (waffle house is better) and chocolate. I missed the sprouts though (brussels), I'll just get them here. Didn't like Germany but I only saw Munich. I strongly suggest The Netherlands, beautiful people. My reason for not going is just that they stink and they are cowards, nuff said. |
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I've been to france twice when I was younger. I remember for every nice person I met in paris, there were about 50 with surly attitude problems. Pricks and assholes. It got less so when I got further away from paris, but I could still feel the animosity. If I had to go to europe, I'd go to Italy. I've been to Florence, Rome and Naples. Southern Italy is amazing. The food was the best I have ever eaten. Thats enough reason to go. I had a blast. The ladies were very friendly. Go study in Italy. 
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Go to France. It's an important part of the world regardless of any political ideological differences you may have with them. Not to go shows narrow-mindedness and it's actually a very nice country with some good people in it. I should add that if you land in Paris, don't just the rest of the country by the Parisians. Even French non-Parisians don't like Parisians. If nothing else, go check out the Normandy beaches if you really want to have a Patriotic American Excuse. NTM |