Bonjour!!!

[artist]

We went to France on the train yesterday - just a booze trip ......

First time I ever went through the channel tunnel. I was a bit nervous - wondering if I could hold my breath long enough to get to the surface if the roof of the tunnel leaked -

Wondering if I'd be OK if I stayed in the car if fire broke out-

Wondering if I'd be able to run into the next carraige quick enough if a bomb went

off -

.....things like that.

I was on the look out for anyone acting furtively or looking like thay had exrta padding on under their clothes (suicide bombers).

In the event - it was a lovely quick train ride - no probs - lots of security about - really good day out.

Got loads of cheap wine and some great french cheeses (TOO many).

Only a small niggle - if we're supposed to be all part of Europe then why is it SO much cheaper for these good over ther?!!!

[Guest Drovers Dog]

:P

HEE HEE, you bought them under someone's else's TAX SYSTEM????

Just a thought!!!

Do they have REAL Blondes in France??

:censored: :D

[andsome]

I wouldn't buy anything produced in that country, I would rather go without. You can get far better wine made in The new World, or Chile, or Italy to name but a few, and where better on earth to get super quality cheese than Britain?

[expertec]

Yes, but "that country" is a lot neare and easier to get to than The new World, or Chile, or Italy. I agree with you about the cheese, British is best :D

[artist]

I wouldn't buy anything produced in that country, I would rather go without.  You can get far better wine made in The new World, or Chile, or Italy to name but a few, and where better on earth to get super quality cheese than Britain?

The wines we bought were from Germany, Australia and California. We aren't keen on french wine either. :)

The variety of cheese was amazing. We like to try something new! :)

[expertec]

Buying German, Australian and Californian wine in France, I like it :D

[lester1]

:angry:

300 hundred miles from the bloody tunnel

[TracyLynn]

Artist that sounds wonderful I envy you!!

[Agent Smith]

Right, MOD status off, other than I shall move this post to debates if it develops. All comments from here on in are of a personal belief.

I wouldn't buy anything produced in that country, I would rather go without.  You can get far better wine made in The new World, or Chile, or Italy to name but a few, and where better on earth to get super quality cheese than Britain?

Oh you poor person.

Apart from a very few offerings, English Cheese is a complete waste of time. It is tasteless over-matured muck. I seriously doubt that things such as Cheddar should actually be classed as cheese.

Now for the wine. Yep there are some great Italians, not too sure yet on the Chilean stuff, but it is improving. It is still without doubt a fact, though, that the finest wines in the world are produced by France.

I will, without reservation, admit that as far as basic table wine goes, in my opinion you are better off spending your money on Australian, Californian (+ other N. American) or New Zealand wines. But you cannot make a statement such as that quoted above without applying these caveats. I will quantify these statements by adding that I studied for an MW (Master of Wine) for several years, before becoming disillusioned with the trade in general.

Andsome, I seriously have to question your motives for persistently posting anti-French comments. If you have ever actually visited France, then I have to assume you were a typical British holidaymaker, who expected all French people to speak English, and to be able to get fish'n'chips on every street corner.

The only solution I can arrive at, is that you are jealous of a race of people, who are not prepared to put up with crap from their own government, and are ready to stand up for their own livelihood. Yes it can be a real pain to us when it happens, but perhaps we should learn a lesson from this and tell our own government where to go from time to time.

Oh, and perhaps it's the fact that Frenchmen have a better reputation as lovers than retired English gents.

Mr. Mouse.

[TracyLynn]

well well Mr Mouse isn't quite so mousy afterall!! :D Very nicely said :)

I personally would love to visit France!!! :wohoo: I would gladly love to try the wine and perhaps find out "the fact that Frenchmen have a better reputation as lovers "

:blush: :wub:

[Guest Drovers Dog]

:P

Hmmm, looks like all the Animals, including the Mice are growing Claws and Teeth!!

:censored: :D

[andsome]

Hi Mr Mouse. I have listed my reasons many times on this form, as to why I will not under any circumstances consider buying any French product. I have never liked the French attitude, not individuals you understand, but the nation as a whole and successive governments in particular. They consider us the bad man of Europe because we express a dislike of many European rulings, and yet we actually enforce far more of these rulings than the French ever do. They help to push all sorts of legislation through the European parliament, then FAIL miserably to implement a lot of the decisions themselves.

A survey a couple of years ago, found that the French use far less soap and toothpaste than any other country in Europe, but a hell of a lot more perfume, and toilet water, draw your own conclusions as to why.

My main reason however dates back a few years, when the French farmers were having one of their regular bust ups with authority. This is a fact and was recorded on television. A band of farmers waylaid and set fire to several British lorries loaded with LIVE lambs. A crowd of police were filmed standing by and watching, making NO ATTEMPT to stop this appalling atrocity. If that doesn't put any one off buying French products, then just what will it take?

Well done artist for buying Californian etc wine.

Regarding French wine, yes I would not dispute the fact that they still make fine wine, I have drunk it when I have been a guest in other peoples houses. It is a fact however that in the price range that MOST people can afford they have fallen behind others. It is also a fact on record, that several of the better Aussie wine makers have spent time in France during the Aussie winter, helping French wine makers at the commercial end of the market to improve their product.

I am not seeking to fall out with anyone on the forum over this, please don't let us get personal as some arguments have in the past. Everyone should feel free to have a pot shot at my arguments, just let's keep it civilised. I await being shot at with pleasure.

[Guest Drovers Dog]

:P

Awwww, Andsome, don't get upset, I don't like France much either.

You know a Motorist over there, ran down a Pedestrian, who he mistook for bin Laden!!

They gave him a Bravery Award!!!

BTW at least you recognise the wonderful people in the Wine Industry down here!!

It is the Ostriches you know!!!

:censored: :D

[andsome]

DD, you will no doubt be pleased to hear that I buy most of my wine from a very well known wine importer here. Every three months I take the AUSTRALIA CASE. It is a mix of red and white bottles ALL of excellent quality. In between times I regularly top up with a mixture of bin ends of Australian and Chilean wine, reds and whites. 'Er indoors likes a drop of the pale stuff, and although I agree that most are excellent, I do prefer a nice full bodied , juicy succulent RED. What I like about the Aussie and Chilean wines is that they don't overdo the tannin, they are always nicely balanced and smooth. (Would you believe that I like wine?)

[artist]

Why does everything have to get SO personal!!! We had a great day out, that's all!

French men as lovers? Bring 'em on - they'd only have to speak to me - that accent - Ooooh!!! :wub:

PS Hubby tried the accent - failed miserably!! :lol:

[Hurdy]

that accent - Ooooh!!! 

Works for french girls as well :wub:

My ex had a French girl friend and I spoke to her on the 'phone several times and thought 'Cor she sounds nice.....'

Anyway when I saw her in the flesh - what a dog!!!

Lovely girl but a face like a bag of spanners :P

[artist]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[andsome]

that accent - Ooooh!!! 

Works for french girls as well :wub:

My ex had a French girl friend and I spoke to her on the 'phone several times and thought 'Cor she sounds nice.....'

Anyway when I saw her in the flesh - what a dog!!!

Lovely girl but a face like a bag of spanners :P

What a poetic description

[Agent Smith]

They consider us the bad man of Europe because we express a dislike of many European rulings, and yet we actually enforce far more of these rulings than the French ever do. They help to push all sorts of legislation through the European parliament, then FAIL miserably to implement a lot of the decisions themselves.

I think you will find that this is called "playing the system for self improvement". OK I will agree, that it can be a right nuisance as far as we are concerned, but why can we not learn from this. Surely it would be in our own interest to follow the example. Instead, we just whine a little and let our government get on with the job of screwing us over for as much as they think they can get away with plus an extra 25% on top. The French people simply would not allow it to happen to themselves. French politicians know this, and on the basis of wanting to keep their jobs, bow to public opinion.

A survey a couple of years ago, found that the French use far less soap and toothpaste than any other country in Europe, but a hell of a lot more perfume, and toilet water, draw your own conclusions as to why.

:D :P Ahh a "survey". Did you know that statistically, 100% of statistics can be made to represent 200% of statistical facts :D . OK I made that up, but you must be aware that surveys can be made to reveal just about any fact you want. I would have to take this one with a pinch of salt.

Have you considered the possibility that the French are just a bit more laid back than us Brits, and so don't work up a sweat whilst sipping their wine in the afternoon sun, thus not needing to shower 3 times a day. As for the toothpaste, well who needs toothpaste when you have garlic? :huh: :P

My main reason however dates back a few years, when the French farmers were having one of their regular bust ups with authority. This is a fact and was recorded on television. A band of farmers waylaid and set fire to several British lorries loaded with LIVE lambs. A crowd of police were filmed standing by and watching, making NO ATTEMPT to stop this appalling atrocity. If that doesn't put any one off buying French products, then just what will it take?

Right, I cannot condone this action at all. It was utterly barbaric and inhumane. But I think you will find, that the truck drivers were warned what would happen, yet still decided to travel. The conditions in which we transport livestock were, and still are, inhumane. Perhaps it would be of benefit if your were to turn your attentions to improving our own industry, before attacking someone else's.

The fact that you wish to use the above example, of the actions of a few, to condemn an entire Nation and it's products, is in my opinion incredibly naive. It was just this sort of belief that led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazi party. If you were to apply this sort of comment to another race (Black Africans for example), you would almost certainly, and quite rightly, be held to legal account.

If you wish to harbor these feelings and opinions, then please do so in the privacy of your own home, and not publicly on regular occasions.

It is also a fact on record, that several of the better Aussie wine makers have spent time in France during the Aussie winter, helping French wine makers at the commercial end of the market to improve their product.

It is also a fact, that many New World vintners travel to France to learn about and improve their own knowledge. I have already stated that, in my opinion, you are often better off buying New World wine at the lower end of the market, but I should also add, that as the knowledge and ability grows, Australia, New Zealand and N. American producers are turning out wines to compete at the very top level.

Surely the fact that Australians, and indeed others, are spending time in France to assist in the trade, demonstrates the industries willingness to improve itself. Unfortunately, this is not always to the benefit, and in some cases has resulted in a poorer product.

And finally

I am not seeking to fall out with anyone on the forum over this, please don't let us get personal as some arguments have in the past.

Perhaps, if this is the case, you should consider carefully in the future exactly what you are posting. Comments of a racial nature, which is how I perceive the post which started this, are bound to eventually attract a response.

Regards. Mr. Mouse.

[Guest northamuk]

Artist started an innocuous thread, shame it had to be hi-jacked into another "I hate the French diatribe".

[djohn]

Must admit that one of the "Qualities" of the French people as a nation is the ability to stick together when they feel something is definitely wrong.

We do tend to have a good moan but very rarely do anything about it, the one main exception being the "Poll Tax" now that did band us together and produce a result.

Anyway artist, I'm pleased you had a good day out and we will be popping over ourselves in a couple of months time for a shopping trip. I'm very lucky in having a relative within the management of the Euro-Tunnel development and can take my car over for the nominal sum of £1.00 :rolleyes:

[Edit] My wife is part French in that her paternal Grandfather was French and her father born in France although raised in England and spoke French fluently. My wife is also quite good with the French language. :unsure:

[artist]

.........and I thought £40 between four of us was cheap!! :lol:

[Michelle]

Eldest daughter went over last weekend and stocked up- wines and cheeses. The latter's still stinking out the fridge, but it's sooo nice.

[Guest northamuk]

Michelle, agree it stinks to high heaven - but it tastes heavenly, dunnit?

[andsome]

OH DEAR. What I meant as a perectly innocent remark appears to have developed into something unsavoury. I am truly sorry if anyone has been upset. I make no apologies for disliking French attitudes, but then of course they are not in general very fond of us are they? I have seen PLENTY of anti Israeli sentiment on the forum, and there appears to be no objection to that. Maybe it's just the way I say things. I am unfortunately perhaps rather blunt, but then of course I am not the only one to suffer from that unfortunate trait. Anyway, rest assured that the last thing I intended was to start a bust up, and I apologise to anyone who has been upset.