Should we be a bit more like the French and revolt?

caknib

Malentendu peutetre?

Lost in translation?
C'est du passé.

I'm not sure Macron looked particularly enamoured one way or the other with KS.

Whereas these two were the real bromance! ❤️

The centre of Brussels is looking more like a war zone this lunchtime than a major European City.

Police have resorted to firing rubber bullets at the protestors, not sure I wish to see these sort of scenarios in London.

Meanwhile over in Brittany the fishermen are now joining in blocking the routes. Well they can exactly drive their trawlers to Paris or Brussels can they?! Solidarity is a big French trait too which we don't find here so much.

Outside the European Parliament…

German farmers protest drive their tractors through busy cities too.

I doubt you will ever get the British to do anything similar.

You already have mob rule in Britain and I'm not just talking about your corrupt Tory government.

Citroen DS one of the best designed cars ever. Alan Clark, son of Lord Clark, bought his wife one in navy blue which was to die for.

Yves St Laurent

The Gorge du Tarn Bridge - magnificent.Designed by an Englishman but built by the French.

Personally I think that French culture flowered at the end of the 19thC and well into the 20thC but they are now resting on their laurels. They are all taught that French is best but they are getting used to English cooking.

I don't think later 20th cenutry French music had the airing it deserved either. I much prefer the originals "La Mer" and "Comme d'habitude" to Beyond the Sea and My Way. Then there's Edith Piaf and Jaques Brel. Of course the problem is that English is the international language in the music industry.

There's no one to beat them for style and fashion though.

Sometimes I think their behaviour stems from real pride in their culture, which is admirable.

Yes,lost in O level 50 year old French translation Joseann. Makes me want to have a go at re learning!

Joseann

I don't think later 20th cenutry French music had the airing it deserved either. I much prefer the originals "La Mer" and "Comme d'habitude" to Beyond the Sea and My Way. Then there's Edith Piaf and Jaques Brel. Of course the problem is that English is the international language in the music industry.

There's no one to beat them for style and fashion though.

Sometimes I think their behaviour stems from real pride in their culture, which is admirable.

Do some French people scoff and scorn others who are overtly patriotic and proud of their country, as is the tendency in England?

It doesn't seem to be the case in Scotland and Wales, just England.

Anniel

Vegansrock,

I smiled when I read your comment. The difference between the French and us is that British tradition is based on obeying the rules. However, the French also say they obey all the EU rules but in reality they act much more in French ways and sometimes ignore laws they are not happy to implement. President Macron recently went against EU law because it did not suit his govt. I cannot bring to mind what it was but some of you will know. In that regard they are insouciant and I love their savoir faire when it comes to French attitudes. Towards the EU.

Yes the French ignore any rules that don’t suit them, but other countries have their variations, the Spanish havn’t done the translation and in Italy the mafia administer the system.
When the UK was a member we “gold plated” the rules adding our own restrictions then blamed Brussels

I think French radio is now saying that the EU will look at reducing the administrative burden on farmers.

Joseann

I think French radio is now saying that the EU will look at reducing the administrative burden on farmers.

Every EU nation has its own choices within the CAP, obviously Sweden has totally different priorities to Greece. When the UK was a member Scotland had a quite straightforward uncomplicated system, England had a hopeless system loaded with environmental controls that was impossible to administer.

Well, there are British farmers on Tik Tok saying there is a strike in plan .

The French learn from their mother’s knee that French culture is best.
British children learn from early in life that all cultures are equal.

I don’t think “British children are told all cultures are equal”- one of the reasons for Brexit was the belief in British superiority surely? In that - we don’t want these foreigners in the country and we want our sovereignty and all that guff.

It was mainly an older demographic who voted for brexit. Children will learn cultural equlity at school.

If there is a European country that believes in the superiority of its own culture, it is the French!

Oh, sorry, maddyone, you said this first.

British and Best was a phrase used very commonly when I was a child. It is common, too.

M0nica

It was mainly an older demographic who voted for brexit. Children will learn cultural equlity at school.

If there is a European country that believes in the superiority of its own culture, it is the French!

Oh, sorry, maddyone, you said this first.

Yes, even in football where we should be able to beat them! 🏆
Did you know France is the biggest exporter of football players abroad?
(Another piece of useless information from my store!). ⚽️

'I was worried when Priti Patel was mooting the banning of peaceful marches & arresting protestors, last November.'

It's always a balance isn't it, between the right to air one's views and the need for public order? And one man's 'peaceful protest' is another's insurrection on the streets.

What would we call the current weekly anti Israel gatherings on the streets of London by aggressive, belligerent, masked protesters calling for the destruction of the Jewish nation?

In fact, we do have perfectly good laws to police gatherings as it is. However, the Met and other police bodies are enforcing them 'asymmetrically' as the current phrase goes.

Someone noted that liberal societies always end by their liberal views being taken advantage of by less enlightened groups prepared to use force to succeed.

I think we are now at that point. In thirty four years of teaching the one thing which was consistent was that you do not give in to the noisiest, naughtiest children. Your no should mean no.

The French Revolution was 1789 ……THAT’S what the French governments are always afraid of! We , as a nation are pretty pathetic! We let governments ride roughshod over us !

Saggi

The French Revolution was 1789 ……THAT’S what the French governments are always afraid of! We , as a nation are pretty pathetic! We let governments ride roughshod over us !

We've had a Civil War and a Glorious Revolution but then decided the alternative was worse than a monarchy!

Perhaps some French people might be wondering if the same could be true.

Callistemon21

Saggi

The French Revolution was 1789 ……THAT’S what the French governments are always afraid of! We , as a nation are pretty pathetic! We let governments ride roughshod over us !

We've had a Civil War and a Glorious Revolution but then decided the alternative was worse than a monarchy!

Perhaps some French people might be wondering if the same could be true.

I think the revolution brought about a new way of thinking in France. You had all these Romanticists who sought to encourage people to live the lives they always wanted. Also such thinking brought about really beautiful works from the likes of Victor Hugo and Chateaubriand which shaped the nation.
If storming a prison can do that,who knows what an uprising in 2024 could do?