French bashing time again

The columnists indicated that we basically saved France from being captured from the Germans and they have no right to tell us what to do. Instead, the French have been eternally ungrateful ever since. Having been to France a few times I have to concur with the feelings of the columnists.

A radio commentator on PBS last week made an interesting comment about how we use the word Gallic when we want to refer to the French in the pejorative sense. In other words, when we bash the French we refer to their Gallic indifference or their Gallic arrogance, etc. Oddly though, when we use the word Teutonic to refer to the Germans, we use the term in a more positive light such as their Teutonic pride or their Teutonic work ethic, etc.

It seems to me that we respect the Germans more than we do the French. I guess I should say that we fear the Germans more than the French. The Germans have been a formidable foe in the first two World Wars while the French have been inept warriors ever since Napoleon met his Waterloo.

I first went to France in 1969 and spent a month there. If a French person found out I was American, you could tell that their attitude changed. It was almost like they were resentful of the fact that we saved them in World War II. I think Americans reminded them of their ineptitude. And it wasn't just Americans they resented. One time I was walking the streets of Paris with a girl who spoke French. We passed a street person with one eye who started ranting and raving at me. She said that he was a World War II veteran and thought that I was a German because I was ready to get into my Volkswagen.

Another time I ordered a small meal in a restaurant in a village in France. Evidently, the waiter wasn't satisfied with my order because when he went into the kitchen he slammed his tray against the wall. I politely departed the restaurant.

Needless to say, I was not impressed with the French. The women, while beautiful, all talked in high pitched voices that made then sound like Mickey Mouse. However, I was impressed with France. It is a beautiful country and Paris is the most beautiful city I have seen.

I was impressed with the sense of tradition and a reverence for the past that permeates the European culture. Buildings that were centuries old would have been brought down by the wrecking ball here in the States. The old buildings were beautiful and could not be replaced today because no one would have the skill or the patience to build such buildings. When I came back to the United States nine months later I was struck by how sterile everything seemed here after being exposed to the wonderful architecture in Europe.

This is where I will defend the French. They believe in retaining their traditions and their beautiful old buildings. They eschew fast food places like McDonalds and tend to resist American cultural imports. The only thing I don't understand is their fascination for Jerry Lewis.

I talked to a person last week who had returned from two weeks in Amsterdam. He remarked how beautiful the old buildings were and how well they were preserved. Having been to Amsterdam I knew full well what he meant. I am willing to bet that if everyone spent a few weeks in Europe, there would be a lot more restored old buildings in Minonk and no yellow Dollar General signs on main street.

The old saying is that Americans live to work while the Europeans work to live. That certainly seemed the case when I was there thirty four years ago. The streets seemed to be more alive with people. The restaurants all had a festive atmosphere where people would linger for hours in conversation. They seemed happy to me. I suspect the French hated the fact that we had to liberate them from the Germans. However, I have a feeling that they are more incensed by the intrusions that we are making on their way of life. I just wish they would admit that if it weren't for the Americans, they would be eating sauerkrat rather than sipping wine and eating brie.

France's penchant for preserving its traditions and way of life has probably prevented it from becoming a more powerful and technically advanced nation that is able to defend itself. On the other hand, America has become the most powerful country in the world partly because our cultural past does not inhibit innovation. The price France has to pay for being able to keep its way of life intact is by being dependent on the might of the United States. The price we pay for being the most powerful nation in the world is to place secondary importance on life style. Who is better off?