Is a Brit entitled to an opinion ...

It’s historical Libman but not typical of GN. Stick around!

Josieann

I was drawn to this thread this evening because the description in the first paragraph could easily have fitted me, or near enough. I loved everything about France as my new home and hated the UK, then I felt divided loyalties and switched to hating France and loving the UK again. I think I realised that nowhere is paradise, so I accepted a love/hate relationship with both which has served me well and I accepted the defects in both.
Yes, I could go onto a French site for grans to vociferously criticise France's education system, its employment laws, its pressures to conform to being equal and totally French, its treatment of unwanted animals etc - all from first hand experience - but what would be the point? Who would that help or impress? It would undoubtedly just stir up animosity. I think I would have the sensitivity to realise that I could be making myself very unpopular, and maybe a figure of derision.
So in answer to the question, yes I think everyone is entitled to an opinion, but maybe a sense of occasion as to how, when and where to voice these opinions should not be ignored.

Your post resonated with me Josieann. I've had two father in laws in my life the first one, French who really wasn't overly fond of the English particularly the cuisine, he lived here in the 50s for a while, and liked to frequently proclaim in a disparaging way "the English boil everything even the meat" and allegedly we were also a "double faced lot" Moving on, I then get his English counterpart in my late father in law who had a visceral dislike of the French, based on what God only know he'd never been there, in fact the extent of his travel was Ireland and Scotland, God help them! He was prone to coming up with drivel like this: When playing golf with my husband down on the south coast "civilization ends here!" he wasn't even tongue in cheek to which my husband responded with "you're wrong it starts over there" mainly to wind him up, at the time we were going to France every year which seemed to piss him off, thought we could have a jolly nice time in here Blighty, which of course we could.

Such blanket statements automatically rise the hackles of those on the receiving end. I love France have extended family there, equally I feel defensive of England much in the same way as Scottish and those from overseas on GN will stick up for their homelands if they feel it is being unfairly maligned. I think that's a natural response.

Sadly not Josieann. The fantaisie is still a thing but apart from that just trousers and patterned tops.
I think Macron's ratings are pretty high as these things go now Urmstongran. People appreciate how he is trying to deal directly with Putin even though it will probably fail. The tone of his TV addresses to the nation is considered, honest and reassuring as much as reassurance is possible. He has faults, but he has grown into the role in the face of adversity.

Lucca
Did anyone read my post ? Apart from jane

It’s not obligatory to answer. I’m often ignored and don’t give a monkey’s. Say what I want to say and if someone responds I’ll engage but it’s not why I post,

Ah well Mamie I dare say it’s hard not to surge ahead if there’s no real opposition..
Macron will win.
Sorry for us.

tickingbird

Lucca
Did anyone read my post ? Apart from jane

It’s not obligatory to answer. I’m often ignored and don’t give a monkey’s. Say what I want to say and if someone responds I’ll engage but it’s not why I post,

Nor me normally but I just thought in this case I’d made a suggestion ? Oh well never mind

I missed the exchange of posts which presumably gave rise to this thread, but I do know that with children, criticism of real and obvious faults doesn't do any harm, nor cause a lasting wave of resentment IF their real virtues and good deeds are also mentioned and get recognition they deserve. (admittedly, it does sometimes seem that their virtues are outnumbered by their misdeeds)

The question I'd like to ask is whether the OP has posted about the virtues of Britain, as well as its faults? That is the way to convey what could be improved without appearing a grouch. I haven't read all her posts, so I don't know.

The question I'd like to ask is whether the OP has posted about the virtues of Britain, as well as its faults?

Not that I've ever seen but maybe someone else has?

Cracking post there Terri Bull. Combined personal information with affection, irony and humour.

I found the OP self focussed, patronising and disdainful towards “brits’ . I’m with Chewbacca, not seen any evidence the OP has identified any positives. Distinct lack of warmth or friendship

JaneJudge

I have never been carefree

If you call looking after les enfants Francais carefree, then I was!

Lucca

Did anyone read my post ? Apart from jane

I've been elsewhere, sorry.

Yes, you deserve an apology Lucca.
I'm developing the skin of an elephant (not just old age).

Libman
I will now shut up but carry on reading in the hope of eventually making sense of what is being said
Don't get your hopes up.

Josieanne are you part Welsh - please don't forget your true origins

Mamie

I agree Josieann. Summed up as "pick your quarrel".
?

So in answer to the question, yes I think everyone is entitled to an opinion, but maybe a sense of occasion as to how, when and where to voice these opinions should not be ignored.

Well said, both.

Chewbacca

^The question I'd like to ask is whether the OP has posted about the virtues of Britain, as well as^ its faults?

Not that I've ever seen but maybe someone else has?

I may have missed them too.

As for the French, Terribull, I did fall in love with a French man when I was there - perhaps I could be living there now but we were too young and he was two-timing me anyway!

Lucca

JaneJudge

what is FG, Fatty gits?

Are you calling me fatty gits ?!

No Frank Gardner

no i was not calling you fatty gits but now I have the giggles I am a fatty git if it helps

JaneJudge

Lucca

JaneJudge

what is FG, Fatty gits?

Are you calling me fatty gits ?!

No Frank Gardner

no i was not calling you fatty gits but now I have the giggles I am a fatty git if it helps

Not an overweight British person - ie a porker? ?

I have a Weightwatchers cookbook going for free

Grannygravy that song is by McFly not Busted. I know because it's one of my favourites. Tom Fletcher wrote it for his wife, Giovanna.

Germanshepherdsmum

It’s historical Libman but not typical of GN. Stick around!

GSM I’m gripped! That’s my Saturday evening sorted. ?

grannyrebel7

Grannygravy that song is by McFly not Busted. I know because it's one of my favourites. Tom Fletcher wrote it for his wife, Giovanna.

And sang it at their wedding.

Callistemon21

Lucca

Did anyone read my post ? Apart from jane

I've been elsewhere, sorry.

Yes, you deserve an apology Lucca.
I'm developing the skin of an elephant (not just old age).

Libman
I will now shut up but carry on reading in the hope of eventually making sense of what is being said
Don't get your hopes up.

Josieanne are you part Welsh - please don't forget your true origins

*Calistemon21. Cymru am byth. ?

JaneJudge

Lucca

JaneJudge

what is FG, Fatty gits?

Are you calling me fatty gits ?!

No Frank Gardner

no i was not calling you fatty gits but now I have the giggles I am a fatty git if it helps

The giggles is/are good.

grannyrebel7

Grannygravy that song is by McFly not Busted. I know because it's one of my favourites. Tom Fletcher wrote it for his wife, Giovanna.

Yes you are correct, I get Busted and McFly mixed up constantly especially since they have toured as McBusted.

(Our boys were at school with one of the Busted boys, he is a local lad)

Mamie

Think the body shaming and bright colours might be Paris. Definitely not rural Normandy. ?

Not rural Bourgogne either, judging from some of the people I see around a BiL’s place, where we’ve often stayed.

I think a lot of the fat shaming I have heard in France is regarding obesity and health implications. And also the impact on sex lives!! I saw a debate on French TV where they were discussing the latest statistics on obesity in France and they were literally laughing at obese people. They then went on to suggest fat people couldn't possibly enjoy the same sort of social life either. I know this was probably Paris, and related to an age group where appearance was very important, but I still think many French people in general can be outspoken about someone putting on a few extra kilos.
French doctors might have something rude to say about being overweight too especially if you are going to have a general anaesthetic. An English friend in France was told at her pre op assessment that she weighed as much as a small heffer, and she was around a size 16, so not huge.
Like Terribull's first father in law, food is also an emotive subject for French people and they are certainly more than capable of criticising dishes and eating habits of other cultures.
So yes, I do see that in certain areas there can be a difference in the way people actually express their opinions.

Yes I agree about people commenting on weight loss and French doctors also being very keen to discuss weight. On the other hand in 16 years and many doctors' appointments neither of us has ever been asked how much alcohol we drink. ??

Mamie