Relationship between France and UK

But isn't that what a "relationship" can often be? Sometimes full of woes, embarrassments, highs and lows, turmoil and strife, but also connection, accord, compromises and even (hidden) mutual understanding.
Brexit will stick with many for years to come as an unfortunate move, others will consider it the opposite. That's it, but to say all the onlookers in the whole world are giving it any more than a perfunctory thought is utter tosh, garbage, foutaises, Quatsch, ridiculo ... whichever you wish choose.

As ever, when I read that the world’s press is watching us/laughing at us/aghast at our behaviour, I wonder why the two German newspapers I follow are so out of step. Not a mention of the UK today, unless a short article about Banksy counts.

Maggiemaybe
Maybe it’s just in the Swiss press. ?

Maggiemaybe

As ever, when I read that the world’s press is watching us/laughing at us/aghast at our behaviour, I wonder why the two German newspapers I follow are so out of step. Not a mention of the UK today, unless a short article about Banksy counts.

Perhaps they are not bothered about what is happening in the UK, after all as you all keep saying they have the upper hand, why are you concerned they’re not mentioning it.

Looking at d.Welle, they are more concerned about their new coalition, murders in Berlin, looking after the homeless, you know things that concern the German people. Perhaps it’s only the French who are obsessed with us, perhaps instead of Macron sniping and stamping his feet, working together would be more beneficial to all.

Because we are constantly being told on here Lincslass that they are! And of course, the truth is paramount.
Personally I would rather be a tin pot, uninteresting nation in terms of the foreign press.

No Lincslass. French press has relevant stories on fishing and Calais problems, but most reporting measured and factual (at least in the papers I read). The lunchtime TV we watch still has positive stories from UK correspondants. I don't see anything like the bile, half truths and downright lies of the UK gutter press.

Actually I tell a lie. BFMTV had the story of the man who went to A and E with an artillery shell up his backside.

I’m afraid that “the whole world is laughing at us” is a phrase which regularly gets trotted out on here from certain posters.

Most of us just simply ignore the comment, knowing that it’s complete rubbish.

Mamie

Actually I tell a lie. BFMTV had the story of the man who went to A and E with an artillery shell up his backside.

My naughty son did that with his mates with fireworks in his youth Mamie. You fart and out comes the missile!

I wonder why the whole world is looking at us when, according to some, we have no standing on the world stage.
It’s one or the other, isn’t it.

Horror. Like looking at a car crash.

Mamie

No Lincslass. French press has relevant stories on fishing and Calais problems, but most reporting measured and factual (at least in the papers I read). The lunchtime TV we watch still has positive stories from UK correspondants. I don't see anything like the bile, half truths and downright lies of the UK gutter press.

Seconded, I keep saying ,generally we get on with our own lives but the fishing and immigration is a FRrnch concern and reported

Lincslass

Looking at d.Welle, they are more concerned about their new coalition, murders in Berlin, looking after the homeless, you know things that concern the German people. Perhaps it’s only the French who are obsessed with us, perhaps instead of Macron sniping and stamping his feet, working together would be more beneficial to all.

... the obsession is not one sided - have you not read the comments on social media... "surrender, cheese-eating monkeys", how we "saved" them otherwise they'd "all be speaking German now"? They are continually portrayed as a country of cowards.

Yes, we should be working together - but putting Johnson's letter to Macron on social media... do you really think that was an act of diplomacy? How would you have reacted if Macron had done that? It was foolish and inflammatory.

Of course Macron is sabre-rattling as well, he's playing to his domestic audience, but that is exactly what Johnson is doing. It goes down well with the anti-French contingent.

Take this as an example form earlier in the thread:
Same with ALL our friends- from Uni Professors, business men and women, farmers, engineers, butchers, bakers, builders, CEOs of major companies ... they ALL know what he is up to- and they ALL say he is mad as a hatter!
I think that is what is being discussed is all exaggeratiio here.

As an aside, I may not have so many friends in France, but the one I respect the most most is one of the highest authorities. A contre-amiral in the French navy, and yes I was present when he was decorated by Giscard d"Estaing. This wise, now old man, had many conversations with me during the Brexit time and was humble enough to even say that the French needed us far more than we needed them in terms of Defence.
I am all for hearing different views, but lumping the whole argument under the bad heading is totally false reporting and a joke.

sorry for typos on phone.

Josianne

Take this as an example form earlier in the thread:
Same with ALL our friends- from Uni Professors, business men and women, farmers, engineers, butchers, bakers, builders, CEOs of major companies ... they ALL know what he is up to- and they ALL say he is mad as a hatter!
I think that is what is being discussed is all exaggeratiio here.

As an aside, I may not have so many friends in France, but the one I respect the most most is one of the highest authorities. A contre-amiral in the French navy, and yes I was present when he was decorated by Giscard d"Estaing. This wise, now old man, had many conversations with me during the Brexit time and was humble enough to even say that the French needed us far more than we needed them in terms of Defence.
I am all for hearing different views, but lumping the whole argument under the bad heading is totally false reporting and a joke.

Josianne Defence isnt often discussed in the press or on GN., but as I understand it your CA is correct.
Some times it serves to divert attention and use the press to do so.

Whether its true or not that the French need us as part of their defence strategy, what is the implication?

That the Elysee Palace are so frightened that we'll take our defence capabilities away that they are trying to make our life difficult?

Sacre bleu.

Every EU person I know, French, Swedish, Spanish, German.... are incredulous at what we've done.

My OH has just read a short story by Christopher Priest, written in 1974 in which the UK has left the EU, things have gone horribly wrong and the country is applying to become the 51st state of the USA. Perceptive?

France has always been independant on Defence, at present it is not a full NATO member, although it does contribute to NATO operations. That plays well with voters, independence and nationalistic, but still benefiting from being allied to a larger Defence group.
How much it depends on the UK is debatable, we now have a much smaller capability than in the past

Financially we commit more to the Defence budget than France. Who want a stronger EU profile and need our money to do so.
I dont know where Germany or other EU countries stand on this issue.
Maybe others can enlighten?

This agreement is outside of NATO.

Alegrias1

Whether its true or not that the French need us as part of their defence strategy, what is the implication?

That the Elysee Palace are so frightened that we'll take our defence capabilities away that they are trying to make our life difficult?

Sacre bleu.

Every EU person I know, French, Swedish, Spanish, German.... are incredulous at what we've done.

Are you sure we are talking about the same thing here Alegrias1? I was citing conversations which contained no accusation, nor recriminations on either side. It was a privilege to be part of such fair minded discussions.
The all guns blazing comments would have served little purpose.

I think in terms of cyber security and international intelligence France does depend on the UK to a great extent. We are actually the leading nation in this field.

Then I apologise that I have misunderstood Josianne.