Do you have a positive or negative image of France?

Question

nightdrot · Accepted Answer

Generally positive. Of course, like all human societies, it has its' flaws and weaknesses. However, overall, France is a sophisticated, complex country that has, on balance, been a net benefit to Western civilization.

It is difficult, in such a sweeping question, to get into specifics. Again, to repeat, there have been moments when France has been a more negative force. The French Revolution brought to the West forces and intellectual trends that have been less than beneficial. The hubris of principles in the French Revolution and Napoleon's regime that followed were not only intellectually and morally questionable, their cost in blood and treasure - both French and the blood and treasure of other societies - has been significant.

Yet France, on the other hand, was a force for good in two world wars and the Cold War. In the Renaissance, she similarly brought intellectual refinement and moral rectitude. Plus, on a smaller scale, French art, literature and cooking have brought taste and refinement on a global scale.

Plus, and here I will get a bit personal, to the extent that the asker of this question is representative of France, the nation has been a source of kindness, generosity, good manners, and a spirit of honest intellectual inquiry. If there are more like her in France, and to the extent that she is the product of French culture, my image of France is hugely positive. (Although, I confess that I am on the whole an Anglophile at heart. Bad Nightdrot!! Bad Nightdrot!!)

Anyhow, on balance, and this is a matter of weighing the goods and the bads both in the present and across time, France has, in my mind, on the whole, a positive image. Not perfect, but certainly in the course of human affairs it has been a force for good.

Kaneki05 · Accepted Answer

Well my ancestry goes back to the king who died in the losing battle against France so what do you think? Lol.
Who knows maybe without France I could still be part of royalty today.

Then french language is a worse and inferior version of Latin that makes no sense, don't worry so is English I know both are that, but french is worse having feminine and masculine words... half the world can't even get onboard with gender existing and french argue words have genders lmao.
And I as someone who agrees genders do exist, still knows words don't have them. A word does not wake up thinking ah yes I am feminine such a dumb way to class it, a person does that not a word.

Also I am aware it's racist to stereotype the french as been racist but they just are. Their own country laws about turbans and the backlash over that in years proves it. If a woman wants to wear a turban that's their choice. Also makes them sexist.
Do I like turbans? No. Do I actually agree with the point they are repressive? yes. But stopping the willing wearing them? That's offensive it's self.

Paris the city of love? Please it's fairly basic if not ugly in fact France has much better locations that are way more pretty but they gloat to the rest of the world about boring Paris, just cause it has a tower? Ha. I can think of so many better sights in the world.

French also think they know everything tbf this is common in many countries and don't beat America as the lead of that. But still a negative point.

I have so many more points about why France is negative to me but I will digress.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

I wonder how many negative views are based on Paris not France as a whole. Capital cities are rarely a reflection of the best a country has to offer.

For us welshies, France generally has a positive image. We've over 30 town twinnings with Brittany alone

Do you have a positive or negative image of France?

Exports are worth around £1.9 billion, including £70m in lamb which is handy for me. Cardiff has the largest collection of French Impressionist art outside of France.
Your food isn't too different and we like your wine and cheeses

Ok you keep beating us at rugby which isn't very nice but pity poor Belgium

msmissydc · Accepted Answer

I have been to france multiple times. Generally a positive immage but I dont get their language AT ALL. They do have supirior cheese, I love their countryside and I was surpised that baguettes is actually not a wrong stereotype. I am not talking about you easily find baguettes. I am talking about that you get it everywhere, In huge ammounts and varirations of what is on it. I mean croissants is the same stereotype but compared to baguettes 'hard' to find.

RavVid · Answer

I think it is only possible to have a highly positive image of France :) It is an icon of culture - a jewel in the crown. We could list but it is unnecessary.

Social unrest is where I am disappointed for France. Notice 'disappointed for' is not 'disappointed with'. I would like France to be more contented.

RebelinSteel · Answer

I think France is a great country and differs hugely as you travel around it. It borders i think 8 countries. The history of France is rich with events that helped shape the modern world. It has been historically one of Englands greatest enemies but also one of our greatest allies. The architecture in France is amazing, again something that varies around the country. Without France we would not have the modern world we have, the country has checked the domination of Germany, Spain and England, as have each of those countries checked France. There is not really a negative I can attach to France that does not also apply to England.

Lliam · Answer

I have a positive image.
Some French people are snooty about their language, but that probably happens mostly in Paris. There are people in other countries who look down on foreigners, too.

I had the most wonderful experiences driving around France in 1986. I met a lot of people who were super kind, generous, and would go out of their way to be helpful.

It's a beautiful country. I love the history and architecture. French is a wonderful language and has contributed to English. And French food is amazing, not to mention French wines and alcoholic beverages.

I also admire the fact that French people unite with massive strikes in opposing bad government policies. They have a truly populist attitude. "One for all, and all for one!"
I wish people in the U. S. had the brains and courage to stand up for their best interests.

Liberté, égalité, fraternité are great ideals.

KostasKouvalis · Answer

Positive view of the people, sites and geography, but a negative view of the government. There are still some things they do that the French have always done, but from what I was told by another French girl on here, I would not want to live there.

I'll admit though, I am getting sick of French people shitting on other French dialects. They should be grateful and honored that they've left a mark on such a vast geographic range. Not everyone has to talk like Metropolitan French.

laly520 · Answer

very negative one
I regret visiting it the last time
but to stay bit positive here I would say I like the cuisine n the historical background (not historical background of invading countries ofc) more like way ancient than that

KrakenAttackin · Answer

I like France a lot and have enjoyed the time I spent there.

Staximus · Answer

Positive, except for that pretentious French girl on here who was trashing Americans for drinking cheap wine out of anything but a wine glass. Nobody's trying to savor the bouquet of a $3 bottle of wine over here.

NathanDavis · Answer

PSG gets on my nerves... seriously...

AaronKrieger · Answer

I feel both, since I like some aspects of the country while disliking others. However, I do love the language, as it is fun to speak.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

We love our Western neighbors! :-)

Avicenna · Answer

My mother lives there and I've been there a lot. I generally have a positive opinion about the country.

OtterMan68 · Answer

Negative. When I see their farmers go on strike for more gov welfare, I roll my eyes. I hear people in big cities are rude, but I hear the countryside is nice

verylovelyguy · Answer

there's definitely that fairy tale image of france that i want to feel for myself regardless of how much i like the actual country itself

Dongie · Answer

From all I've heard for 30 years it's negative. They hate Americans.

RyanEC · Answer

I have a deep love and application for the French people, nation and culture. 🇫🇷🇫🇷🇫🇷

ClauseJansen · Answer

Perhaps the most racist country in Europe. There are security vulnerabilities

Wiredone · Answer

I have zero image of France. I've never been there

Anonymous · Answer

Parisians are known for being snotty and rude. In the French countryside, it's different, but I don't really care.

BLP11520 · Answer

Positive, I never made it there, but oh well😊

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

I don't have any image of France. Sorry but it looks boring asf

Anonymous · Answer

A colonialist and genocidal country. But it is a racist country that does not accept its own mistakes and blames others..

DarkLegacy · Answer

I have a positive opinion of France.

Iron_Man · Answer

Positive image

lightbulb27 · Answer

medium... been there. I have opinions.

Sameone · Answer

Worst county in all Europe

ab2shifty · Answer

I got a few homies from France

Kykiono1 · Answer

Mixed

Anonymous · Answer

Don’t really care.

Do you have a positive or negative image of France?

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