Relationship between France and UK

Not in my experience Josianne, not at all. I did all the things on my list except own property there. Nobody ever made any sort of comment about us being OK when you get to know us. There was no mistrust, nothing like it.

Are we different? Possibly. But adult people don't think that being different is a reason to be at loggerheads with anybody.

What I'm going to say I mean quite sincerely - I really think some people need to get the chip off their shoulder.

Kali2

MerylStreep

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

Not at all. Although it is particularly relevant in Switzerland now- as they are in the middle of making a similar, terrible, mistake. Geography is also massively important in this case, just as, but totally differently, as for the UK.

Switzerland has never been formally an EEA member, it has had a very soft association, where goods are supposed to go through customs but there are usually no border checks for personal travel. However checks can and are made by the Swiss at least.
There has been widespread flouting of the EU rules by the Swiss which the EU are threatening to clamp down on, they have been having their “cake and eat it” for a long time

The irony is, Alegrias, that these same suspicious French minds are usually delighted to parade us amongst their circle of friends and seat us at the top table, so I'm happy about the perceived differences. Maybe it's all an act to perpetuate a myth, not really worth getting wound up about.

It would help if the French would stop assisting or at least not trying to stop illegals to get on board unseaworthy vessels just to get them out of France. The fishing rights were agreed and France now decide they don't like it.

Josianne

The irony is, Alegrias, that these same suspicious French minds are usually delighted to parade us amongst their circle of friends and seat us at the top table, so I'm happy about the perceived differences. Maybe it's all an act to perpetuate a myth, not really worth getting wound up about.

Bien sûr.

We moved sixteen years ago to a tiny, rural village in Normandy. We found that the people there were a bit reserved and slow to approach us, but when they got to know us they became the most loyal friends we have ever had. In the more urban areas people have mostly been friendly and welcoming from the start (apart from a drunk in Lidl's who said something rude and then apologised after I replied in French ?).
I have no idea where people get these bizarre ideas about horrible French people. There never seems to be much first-hand evidence attached to their views.
We love living here and feel absolutely at home.

MaggsMcG

It would help if the French would stop assisting or at least not trying to stop illegals to get on board unseaworthy vessels just to get them out of France. The fishing rights were agreed and France now decide they don't like it.

What's "an illegal"? There's no such thing.

Katie59 ''There has been widespread flouting of the EU rules by the Swiss which the EU are threatening to clamp down on, they have been having their “cake and eat it” for a long time'' - I would be really grateful for examples of this. What are you talking about???

Switzerland, after 7 years of negotiations, have rejected the new framework for the formal agreement with the EU- and this is causing no end of problems. The geographical situation of Switzerland, is just as significant as that of the UK.

But this does NOT belong on this thread, as a discussion, which is about relations between France and UK.

We found that the people there were a bit reserved and slow to approach us, but when they got to know us they became the most loyal friends we have ever had.
Well put Mamie, it doesn't take long after those initial early days, n'est-ce pas?

The only negative comments I've heard French people say are about our cooking. Once they've tried it they're pleasantly surprised.

Agreed Mamie and Josianne - depends also a lot on the attitude and effort made by the newcomers. Anyone who tries to speak French (or any other local language all around the world), even if they make lots of mistakes, try and buy some stuff locally and give some work to local artisans, etc, rarely has any issues.

Resentment tends to be about those who live 'parrallel' expat lives, and make little effort about the above. And this is not surprising, really.

Where we lived in the countryside Parisian incomers were resented far more than any British. The ties between Normandy and the UK are strong though. 1066 and 1944 have left their mark all around where we live.

Dinahmo

The only negative comments I've heard French people say are about our cooking. Once they've tried it they're pleasantly surprised.

But try giving them home made mince pies!

Well it goes both ways- many Normans have tried to feed me local 'andouilette' and I am NOT eating THAT!

Round here it is Tripe à la mode de Caen. Bleurgh. ?

I was invited to a dinner party in France and politely explained to the lady of the house in advance that I didn't eat meat.

pas de problème she said.

We had foie gras. ?

My son went to work nr Paris for 2 weeks as part of a joint project programming computer chips.
First day in the office all the staff came to shake hands with him which he found welcoming. Same next day and every day until he left. I guess it was part of the formal French culture. When we had French students to stay they were amazed that a barbecue was not a 'sit down at a laid table with hosts serving and cooking' event.

Now that's interesting sazz1

Going to work every day in France, not only did I get the daily handshake but I also got the bisous. And depending on where you were, you had to know how many bisous to expect .

sazz1

My son went to work nr Paris for 2 weeks as part of a joint project programming computer chips.
First day in the office all the staff came to shake hands with him which he found welcoming. Same next day and every day until he left. I guess it was part of the formal French culture. When we had French students to stay they were amazed that a barbecue was not a 'sit down at a laid table with hosts serving and cooking' event.

I've heard a French person referring to it as "ah, the British standing up dinner"

Have to say that one bonus of Covid for me has been the absence of the endless handshaking and bisous. You always needed an extra half hour at the beginning of village events for the bisous. And yes all those tricky decisions about two, three or four, left or right first.
It will be interesting to see if it comes back after Covid.

Don't get me started on all that business Mamie, it seems different in every region, every age group, every family.
What I would say the French are brilliant at is digital illuminations on churches. I have been following various towns this week. The best one I ever saw live was in Reims. Magnigfque.
Happy thoughts to end with.

Relationship has always consisted of: french hate Brits/french do something awful.-brits sort french out......time and time again...: French hate Brits for sorting them out....

Mamie

Have to say that one bonus of Covid for me has been the absence of the endless handshaking and bisous. You always needed an extra half hour at the beginning of village events for the bisous. And yes all those tricky decisions about two, three or four, left or right first.
It will be interesting to see if it comes back after Covid.

I hope not. The last time I had bronchitis was after a round of bisous. I started to shake hands instead I got one or two funny looks but they understood.

We had the same experience with mince pies Josianne a tradition that doesn't travel

sodapop

We had the same experience with mince pies Josianne a tradition that doesn't travel

Especially when like a fool, after a few glasses, I tried to explain it was viande hachée! I think it was Henry V11 who started the trend with chopped up meat and fruit? So I was close - ish!