Why don’t the English and the French seem to get along?

Question

bolverk · Accepted Answer

The English and the French have a long history of rivalry driven by feudal land claims, fights for power in Europe, and competing global empires.

Today, while both nations are close modern allies and partners in NATO, they still deal with occasional political friction and friendly cultural banter.

Historical Roots of the Rivalry

The Norman Conquest (1066): The animosity began when William the Conqueror invaded England from Normandy, making English kings major feudal lords in France and entangling their lands.

The Hundred Years' War (1337–1453): Conflicting claims over the French throne and control of territories led to a century of intermittent warfare.

The Balance of Power: Throughout the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries, Britain and France fought a "Second Hundred Years' War" to prevent each other from gaining total dominance over Europe and global trade.

Colonial and Religious Clashes: Competing ambitions for colonies in North America, Africa, and India, mixed with religious conflicts between Protestant Britain and Catholic France, kept tensions high.

Modern Tensions and Differences

Brexit and Politics: Following the UK's departure from the European Union, disagreements over European policy, fishing rights, and handling cross-channel migration have strained official relations.

Cultural Stereotypes: Centuries of distinct cultural development forged long-standing, lighthearted national stereotypes regarding food, manners, and social habits.

Friendly Competition: Today, the historic rivalry mostly shows up as playful banter and intense competition in sports like rugby union's Six Nations championship.

strateguy632 · Accepted Answer

didn't they agree now! to boycott israel citizens who hire arab workers in west bank?  leader said 'oppose government not citizens' but boycott only citizens not government

Screenwriter · Accepted Answer

They've been fighting forever! The English have always wanted the French throne and vice versa. And let's face it, Paris makes London look like poo-poo. The French have the suave-debonair, the food, the big country, ex-pats, Toulouse. English are kinda hemmed in. They have gin and James Bond. But they were political power brokers, which the French did less of because they didn't need to. The English ruled the world because they were underdogs.

But as time went on the English lost that power, and the French kept the savoir-faire they always had. The English did a bit of fashion and music the French didn't. The French did more film.

It's always been this interesting balance of power and influence..

NoDecision · Accepted Answer

The French helped the American Colonists against the British during the American Revolution. Then during WWII they were allies of the British. I didn't know there were even problems between the two now.

RavVid · Answer

Well they did in the Crimean War and WW1 ... enough to be on the same side. But it slipped back to the UK shelling the French Fleet in WW2. (so much for the entente cordiale)

Maybe just too close by with conflicting interests and ambitions?

KostasKouvalis · Answer

But James Bond's girlfriend is French and they're allies. And one French girl on here was conversing with an Englishman.

I feel because of historical stuff they feel obligated to, and are sort of raised/taught to. Also, hating on the French is kind of acceptable in Europe.

You should know more about this subject, than me

Snakeyes7 · Answer

Since when has the US ever had that big of an issue with France? If anything, they were one of the greatest allies up until WW2.

I think the only reason France might have an issue with us now is because we still operate on Austrian economics to some degree while France, most of Europe and the UK have succumbed more to Keynesian economics.

midnightmoon05 · Answer

I have always wondered about this myself... till we went to Normandy and read a little bit about William the Conqueror and the 100 yr. war and among other conflicts... so it goes back a long time.

Levin · Answer

The English hate everybody. Particularly the French, Welsh and the Scottish. And then we have the EU kind of arrogance that we get from you and the Germans. It's not a very good mix, is it?

andreasderjuengere · Answer

The magic word here is ''seem'', I think. In history both nations frequently had been opponents. To carry this attitude into the present is some kind of unspoken and unreflected cultural ritual.

lightbulb27 · Answer

I really think it's the food and underlying bacteria controlling the gut microbiome.  It is hard to believe they were so miserable to each other, Germans as well. War really is a waste.

Laws-Of-Existence · Answer

France didn't get its dose of vitamin megatons of democracy.

Just_Ken · Answer

The king of England is the rightful heir to the throne of France

Dargil · Answer

Because the French used to think they were king shit. But now the United States is King shit. And the French are jealous and envious.

NathanDavis · Answer

because neither of them smile at people... and won't even say hello...

slatyb · Answer

That was then, this is now. Brexit was idiotic, but not as stupid as electing Trump.

exitseven · Answer

Do any of the European countries really get along with each other?

onmyradar · Answer

They have a history of being enemies for many many years. so it goes back a long long time. Like the Hatfields and the McCoys.

msc545 · Answer

The French have better food, better art, and a better language, and the English don't like that. Oh, I forgot the French are also much better-looking.

Anonymous · Answer

I think the French don't like the English's crooked yellow teeth. And the English don't like the hairy french cheese farts.🤷‍♂️

loveslongnails · Answer

Is there ANYBODY who likes the English? LOL

Alex-Snow · Answer

History says it all. The USA and Canada use to get along until Trump came along!

Jackblue · Answer

Neighbors always have problems think of the US/Mexico, Russia/Ukraine, Albania/Serbia.

Anonymous · Answer

The French don't know what deodorant is and the Brits don't know what toothpaste it.

rgb008 · Answer

language barrier, I bet.

Iron_Man · Answer

Talk to the English

Anonymous · Answer

Some people haven’t moved past 1066 yet…

Paige2006 · Answer

Because they have a bad history

Why don’t the English and the French seem to get along?

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