I feel so guilty for not reading through all of these posts, after all, I asked the question. I kind of wanted a simple answer, like "because they bombed us" or "because they treat american tourists like crap" or "they started it"...

I never was good at history. I used to cram in school, get A's, and forget it all. History just bores me...

It seems like, from what I scanned, we don't really have a good reason to hate them as a group..

I still don't get it!

Who said you need a "good" reason?

I actually spent about 10 minutes thinking about your question this morning, staceyv. I have narrowed my personal reasons down to two:

(1) At least half of all the French-language films I've ever watched sexualizes underage kids. It's like their directors can't make it through 2 hours of footage without lovingly filming a 12-year old with erect nipples, partially nude, showering with her schoolgirl friend, or at least hinting at prepubescent sexuality. For me, it goes beyond creepy, but it seems to be widely accepted as long as the director is French. The most mainstream example is Luc Besson's "Leon" a.k.a. "The Professional". It's a beautifully shot film, which means that critics call the sensual way the camera moves over Natalie Portman (age 10 or 12 or so) "art", not kiddie porn. Lock up the pervs and there would be no French cinema that didn't feature those stupid fucking street puppets. (imo)

(2) Pierre Capretz, whose bug-eyed, tousled-hair narration of French In Action was permanently etched into my brain throughout high school and college. Great course, frightening dreams at night. This picture does him too much justice -- the man's actually quite insane.

good wine, good cheese, but they spit, they smell, they're rude, and they run at the mention of war. nuff said.

Noodle's post reminds me that in addition to harboring murderers, they also have a record of providing sanctuary to child molesters.

If you've ever met an arrogant Parisian from around that general area you will know how easy it is to hate the French. It all started with De Gaulle trying to boost morale.

Because we can. Is that simple enough for you. :eyebrow:

We resent them because we needed their navy once a long time ago when we were young.

I hate the French because they think that I don't know how to order my own food at a restaurant.

But I do like their toast. And, fries. French fries---the food of gods. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmfrenchfries :yum:

Nobody's all bad.

And their sluts seduced our poor naive Ben Franklin. :lol:

And on one occasion, Capnhowdy too...I mean two. :blush:

Actually, I think we're mad about the Statute of Liberty. :3_eyes:

Lingering animosity from the French-Canadian War?

We got ripped off by the Louisiana Purchase?