September 11, 200619 yr French author slams 'vulgar, aggressive, unprincipled, consumerist' Britons Britain has been branded a nation of "vulgar, aggressive, unprincipled, consumerist zombies" in a scathing new book by a French academic. In a savage tirade of abuse that rips the 'entente cordiale' to shreds, author Agnes Poirier unleashes a savage attack on our culture, lifestyle and politics. Even by French standards of Brit-bashing, the stream of insults is impressive. But it is made all the more extraordinary considering Miss Poirier has a British boyfriend and has lived in Britain for a decade. But despite claiming to 'love' the British people, she gives no clue as to what it is she actually likes about us. Instead, the London-based journalist and author fires off a barrage of slurs that covers everything from our culture, cooking, countryside, education system and even our general level of intelligence. She claims the book called The English Model, A French Illusion is a warning to French readers that they could become like us if France continues to follow our Anglo-Saxon free market ideas and globalisation. She said: "This is a wake-up call to French voters. France's two main presidential candidates Nicolas Sarkozy and Segolene Royal are Blairites who would import British policies if elected. "This book is for all those who think that would be good." Miss Poirier begins with a venomous deluge of abuse aimed at the British character, saying: "They have no understanding of philosophy, beauty or art. They do not even have any intellectuals. "It is a kingdom of narrowly educated specialists on the one hand and those lacking general culture on the other. "This makes for boring conversation. People talk only about what they know about or else limit themselves to comments on the weather, the property market or the cost of educating children." She said that our countryside resembled an "immense theme park" and our children were ravaged by an epidemic of obesity thanks to the fast food culture. She claims that while France continues to be chivalrous, manners are all but forgotten in Britain, where we mocked French president Jacques Chirac for kissing the hand of German chancellor Angela Merkel. She added bitterly: "Over there, customs are characterised less by gallantry and more by virility, cruelty and aggressiveness". Miss Poirier said that Tony Blair and David Cameron were surrounded by the same little core of former university friends who lived in Notting Hill, west London, and always went to the same restaurants. She added: "It has been a long time since they were separated by convictions and for a good reason: in their eyes, conviction is outmoded. Principles only create antagonism. And antagonism is bad for these new politicians." She said we British were not interested in art or culture unless it sells and is 'cool' and 'sexy'. She said that while in France the minister of culture is fourth in rank in the government, Britain lumps its culture ministry with sport. France needed to be reject the corporate chains that have strangled Britain's high streets and made them all look the same, she said, and she warned French readers: "Let us prepare for the spread of evil. "We'll walk around the streets of France like consumerist zombies. "We won't know if we are in Nantes or Amiens because all the streets will look the same. "We in France enjoy contemplating our neighbours, like cakes in the windows of a French patisserie. Such richness is priceless compared to global uniformity. "As our British friends say in French, vive la diffirence."
September 11, 200619 yr Hahaha. there are far more problems in french culture and politics then in Britian.
September 12, 200619 yr Nah, British culture consists of getting pissed and pissing in the street (whether anyones looking or not). Thanks to Chav culture britain is going down faster than the Titanic. Viva la France!
September 12, 200619 yr Nah, British culture consists of getting pissed and pissing in the street (whether anyones looking or not). Thanks to Chav culture britain is going down faster than the Titanic. Viva la France! Now I know you're crazy.:laugh3: Viva la any country but France!
September 12, 200619 yr Author Now I know you're crazy.:laugh3: Viva la any country but France! Are you still eating "freedom" fries?:rolleyes:
September 12, 200619 yr Nope. Why are you attacking me? I'm defending your country. England is my favorite nation
September 12, 200619 yr Author France and America havent gotten along since America was founded... Perhaps you should send back the Statue of Liberty, then!:P
September 12, 200619 yr I like France because my favourite childhood cartoon, Madeline is set there... :rolleyes: Apart from the music, Britains got nothing going for it in my opinion.
September 12, 200619 yr What about fish and chips? StoneHenge? The Queen? Mostly I like British music and the history. But the land looks really pretty. But so does france, France would be amazing without the French goverment.
September 12, 200619 yr What about the French? they have style and a good football team! The Eiffel tower, the louvre, St tropaz, culture,etc, as a english person i'm not supposed to say this, but i like the french.
September 12, 200619 yr i partially agree but then again i've never been to France and my short trip to England was less than impressive so i'm biased either way. the music created there is amazing but that's as far as i'd go about the greats of Britain, imo.
September 12, 200619 yr What about the French? they have style and a good football team! The Eiffel tower, the louvre, St tropaz, culture,etc, as a english person i'm not supposed to say this, but i like the french. The French people are ok, but man is their goverment dumb and has been for along time. So I guess over all france is cool. But i like other European nations better. I really wanna live in the Uk or Italy for a few years.
September 12, 200619 yr You should, save up some cash and spend several months over here like my friend did. she came over got herself a job stayed at a hostel and a fantastic time. (unfortuanlty not with me :-( But only in London thou. Whats your flag?
September 12, 200619 yr So when you coming to England then? Come over for a few months like my friend did, she had a great time. :-(
September 12, 200619 yr Well if I do come over it wont be til im out of college. so in about 5 years or so. I might have to settle for just a vacation in one of the next 4-5 years if i cant save up enough to live there.
September 14, 200619 yr :cry: Who the heck is this author? Why would anyone write that kind of rubbish? As a French person, I can positively say that we love our British neighbours... :D Seriously, her book doesn't make any sense. Some of us love the British, some of us don't. It's like anywhere else in the world. There will always be a sense of rivalry between English and French culture because of the history both countries have... but it isn't as strong as it used to be. Except perhaps on a football field! France would be amazing without the French goverment. Oh how I agree...
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