Is Sarkozy American?
March 5th, 2007 | 
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Ordinarily the ill-will between America and France simply passes us by but with venturing out into blog-land a more than usual of late I’m that little bit more conscious of it from seeing the likes of the ever present anti-American sentiments of SuperFrenchie (ironically living in America).
That makes it more unusual to read of the thoughts of Nicolas Sarkozy who is very much pro-America and, in many ways, against seemingly core beliefs of his native France.
He is openly critical of the anti-work ethic of the French and the related anti-capitalism too. For him, the holding back of the entrepreneurs through excessive regulation and taxes has merely served to enpoverish everyone.
On the whole he would seem to be the ideal selection for France but his ideas run so much contrary to the cozy status-quo that I just can’t see him getting elected when there’s the opportunity to elect Royal and get even deeper into that spiralling cycle of increased regulation, benefits and taxes.
Perhaps next time around it will be his turn but by then the social costs of the turnaround from Royal’s policies will be enormous.
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Isn’t it ironic and comical that you attack Superfrenchie for the stupidities Wendy is saying when at the same time, you live in France and are attacking it at each opportunity. You and Wendy are disgusting, both inside and out….
Isn’t it ironic that Wendy and Arnold are suddenly getting the attention they do not deserve at all?
So when are you leaving, Arnold and Wendy?
I really wonder what most of their French guests would say if they knew about their host’s views. You think they could survive without 40% of their guests? And what do the people of Maury think about their neighbor’s opinion? Anyone willing to distribute some leaflets to the locals? They need to know so they can change their ways and make Wendy and Arnold feel more welcome!
We criticise some aspects of French life, SF attacks nearly all aspects of American culture.
I think that the people of Maury are quite glad we’re here given the level of business we’ve brought to the village. If some things were done about areas where we’ve been critical that level of business and employment would be even higher.
Hey Brainfart.
Ah! that good ol’ French reflex of “délation” Is that inborn or do you learn it?
> If some things were done about areas where we’ve been
> critical that level of business and employment would be
> even higher.
You mean all those old wrinkled French hags roaming the streets, constantly smoking Gauloises or what?
Quote Wendy:
Ms Deneuve certainly looks Gallic. Just like the majority of French women who live on cigarettes and black coffee€¦wrinkled, wrinkled, wrinkled. I have yet to see a french woman with a good complexion. Once they are past 25 you cannot guess how old they are because they all age so fast.
I’m sure the people of Maury would appreciate your constructive criticism if only they knew about your blog.
SF: Of course you and I compare our native culture with the one we’re living in and naturally there will be times when one or other is better.
Malyse: ditto.
brainfart: As it happens, we DO comment on cultural differences with our guests. For example, I don’t know why the French put up with paying American Express nearly EUR 200 for their gold card when the same card is free elsewhere. For that matter why do you allow Carrefour to charge EUR 25 for a Visa card issued in France when the same card is free in Spain?
Incidently, the people of Maury have already asked us for suggestions to improve the local economy. They have even started to adopt some of them.
Moreover, we have said most things related in the blog to them already.
I must say I’m quite confused… Did you move to France in order to “bring civilization” to us????
I’ve travelled a lot through Europe, I’ve studied in Spain (guess what: the Spaniards don’t speak French and… I didn’t blame them for it… In fact, I really enjoyed the fact that they live according to different standards) and I will never ever tell a foreigner how to change or rule his country… You talk about the necessity of coping with globalization… Allright, I just thing globalization doesn’t mean necessarily erasing cultural differences, but trying to discover, understand (and cope with) things you don’t understand at first, but later come to enjoy…
Cultural diversity is a gift, not a plague…
The Spanish generally don’t speak French because, by and large, the first second language that they learn is English which covers the bulk of the tourists to Spain. This is despite it being easier for them to learn French than is for them to learn English.
It is Sarkozy who speaks of the necessity of taking account of globalisation in this post, not me.
What is a little different in France is that there is little allowance for other cultures within France and seems to aim to erase other cultures (eg Catalan, Breton, etc.). Countries where globalisation is really entrenched generally do allow for other cultures.
You missed the irony of my comment about the Spaniards not speaking French: I was saying they speak… Spanish… I meant that when you’re moving to a different country you have at least to TRY to understand the main language people are using there.
Your comment about the French culture “erasing” regional differences is à clear example of what I call “your lack of willing to understand French culture”… It’s true France built its identity by chosing to impose (sometimes by force, I won’t deny it) a unique language, a unique cultural background to all its citizens. That’s who we are: the heirs of a certain conception of the relationship between citizens and Nation. Maybe it’s not the best way to build a nation, maybe it’s not the worst… It’s just an important part of our history, directly linked to the French Revolution, directly linked to the Enlightment. So if French people are so touchy about the idea of recognizing regional languages, don’t blame us without trying to understand from where it comes from. At least try to acknowledge this.
Is there anything you like about this country???? National health care? Landscapes? Educational system? Language? Nothing?????
No, I accept that France comes from a different starting point than the UK and that “French” (rather than Breton, Catalan, etc.) was adopted as a unifying force for the country. However, it seems sad to me that, centuries later it is still having the effect of stamping out regional culture to the extent that it does in this area.
I honestly believe it to be very sad that our friends children can’t speak to their grandparents in their native language.
This is, by and large, a blog written by and for expats. Therefore I point out the differences between France and the UK. That’s not to say that either British or French culture is “better”, just that they are different. What you find elsewhere is “France is wonderful, you can move here with no problems”. France is wonderful in many ways and, yes I do point them out elsewhere (eg http://www.pyreneesthemes.com) BUT if people are contemplating moving here to live then it’s only fair that they know about the key differences.
Yes, the health system is wonderful in many ways. However, it is different from that in the UK and, if you’re not careful, the bills can be quite staggering.
Yes, the landscapes are lovely.
I’m not sure about the education system. It’s much more structured than that in the UK. Is it better? No, just different.
I must like the language. It is a major component of my modern languages degree.
I don’t mean the blog to come across as anti-France/anti-French, but it probably does in some ways in that I don’t mention things that brits know to be wonderful and concentrate instead on things that they wouldn’t necessarily know about in advance of moving here to live. There are pitfalls that can easily trap the many brits with rose-tinted views of France and I’d rather point those out so that they can take account of them and thereby live their dream in France without avoidable problems or rather without unexpected issues arising.