Re:HOW TO BE AN AMERICAN! FUCK AMERICA! FRANCE RUL (Score 1)

Actually, in France the stores have many american items (presumably because they sell well). Many teenagers wear USA this, USA that, etc. The French (as told to me in France) simply don't care for the general american "Holier than thou" attitudes they see from americans in France. Just as in america, one is expected to learn at least enough of the language to get around - French people expect others to at least TRY in French. The French seem disappointed in america for attempting to shove american values down other countries' throats. The French are just as nationalistic as u.s. citizens, very proud to be French. They have no desire to emigrate to america, "where it is better". In fact, I think the French standard of living is higher than in the u.s. - well, ok, the French QUALITY of living is higher than in the u.s. Housing is much less expensive. Yes, petrol is about double the price of gas in america, but the immense availability of public transportation makes this a virtual non-issue. Power is far cheaper, seems like there's a nuclear facility on every corner - (three mile island did away with the great promise of cheap power in America). The roads in France are exceptionally well maintained (far better than united states). No one has to suffer because they can't afford medical care, 35 hour work week, 5 weeks per year standard holiday. European vehicles in general are built better than in u.s., & much more powerful. The speed limits are much higher, undoubtedly because they drive so much better than americans. In their elections, there are candidates of every flavor, green, communist, socialist, as well as a number of levels of left & right wing candidates. I have no vote percentages for each type of candidate to share with for France, but in United States 80% or better is for only two political parties - yes this is because voters still don't fathom "another way" and will stick like glue to their party of choice no matter how many blowjobs their candidate gets from his employees or no matter how many countries their candidate unjustly invades. Not that the voter's votes necessarily count for anything in america, with the electoral college system. There IS no technological or logical reason why a popular vote system could not be implemented in america before the 2k8 election. But, I digress. America looks great on paper, but I wouldn't want to live there. I'm sorry my post is not able to "prove your point" or "reaffirm American perception of France", for I AM an american; therefore this IS an american perception of France. I am simply one who has actually lived and spent time elsewhere, and have found better places than the u.s. (Not just France). And yes I was born and live in the u.s., for the time being. Substantively, I believe the truth of the general perception in America toward France. I see it daily, almost inevitably from those who have experienced nowhere else. Unfortunately, it seems to stem from misplaced patriotic pridefulness and a general lack of multicultural knowledge. Shef