starvin marvin Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 It comes as no surprise to learn that the French consume the largest amount of anti-depression medication in the western world. I just wonder why?? You certainly don't see many happy frenchies, despite cheap booze and fags. They do tend to remind me of Gordon Brown, you know what I mean, always looks like it hurts when they try to smile. Any ideas please on the back of a packet of Gitanes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Apologies to the moderator, meant to put this in Chatterbox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I think that when it comes to moaning, whingeing, miserable, unhelpful, obstructive people the Brits must come close to being the worst in the known world - and our average is made worse by the Welsh in particular who are absolute world leaders in whingeing - closely followed by the Scots! I have nearly always found French people charming and helpful but then I don't often go into French cities - but it certainly helps if YOU smile first and try to speak their language in their country! On the other hand the Germans. Dutch, Swedes and Norwegians don't seem too keen on the French so perhaps I've just been lucky! Where ever you go it seems you will almost certainly find a better attitude toward Motorhomes in almost any other mainland European country - with a distinct lacking of UK style 'jobsworths'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Now you're talking about other things. The whingeing world leaders are not the welshies, its the aussies mate. The welshies are a very close second. I just really think the frenchies look so miserable all the time, I don't know if they moan etc, as I avoid speaking to them as much as possible. I get the feeling they would just burst into tears. They probably do complain about the time it takes to get their anti-depression tablets from the chemists. There does appear to be only three types of shops that are flourishing in rural France, florists, hairdressers and pharmacies. All there to sell something to cheer them up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alf Stonehouse Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 :-D Im writing this from a cafe in France,My campingcar on a French "Aire"which offers 220v to keep visitin CCars warm The French i agree do drink quite a lot but so far they all seem quite happy, Today over coffee they were grumbling about the new increased VAT on phones but with laughter and hummer One camping car was there as i arrived yesterday & from dept 44 i parked in a place with a good view,today another camper from Dept 44 arrived looked at the other & parked as far away as possible :-S Exactly the same thing happened to me in Turenne another British camper arrived & parked at the opposite end as far as possible from me.I did wave *-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tracker Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 We too always park as far from other vans as we can. It's not being unsociable but we have a dog, others have dogs, some like bbqs, some like loud music/tv, some have noisy kids, some kids have bikes, so keeping apart keeps the peace and it is so easy to walk across and say hello or wave from the window or waggle a bottle of wine or a couple of mugs which seems to work as a universal invitation to natter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 I try to park near everyone...................but they keep moving away......I think its my wind problem :$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted February 1, 2011 Author Share Posted February 1, 2011 Alf Stonehouse - 2011-02-01 3:44 PM Exactly the same thing happened to me in Turenne another British camper arrived & parked at the opposite end as far as possible from me.I did wave *-) Was that the two fingered wave? its does have certain french connections so to speak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowtelse2do Posted February 1, 2011 Share Posted February 1, 2011 pelmetman - 2011-02-01 4:57 PM I try to park near everyone...................but they keep moving away......I think its my wind problem :$ I'm now 110 miles behind you. :DDave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwendolyn Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 What an unpleasant thread. How can you generalize about the entire population of a country. And, please note, we Welsh, with a capital letter, prefer to be addresed as such, not as "welshie". I am new to this forum. If this thread is indicative of the general standard of the discussion, I will not linger for long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekka Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 I have lived in Wales for more than twenty years after escaping from the Midlands and can tell you this they may well have reason to be as you put it miserable when people turn up on mass from Easter onwards and think that Wales is just an extension of England provided as a playground for the English. The widely held view that Welsh people speak Welsh just to P*** English people off does not help either. I have found the Welsh to be welcoming, helpful, and genuinely nice folk, ditto the French. For the most part I'm a miserable git, does that make all English miserable too, I think not. Perhaps the poster has been unlucky but to generalise like that I think is offensive and in the end does no one any favours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starvin marvin Posted February 2, 2011 Author Share Posted February 2, 2011 If it any consolation to our cousins who live in the far west of our kingdom, I've had too many wet trips there, though not generally on a Sunday to ever wish to go again. I avoid the place like cooked seaweed. Looking forward to the game on Friday, bet the welshies aren't. However back to the thread, which was along the lines of why are the French so miserable despite cheap booze and fags? I guess nobody knows and we probably care even less. I'll just leave them alone to keep popping the pills. Finding a happy frenchie is like spotting a smiling jogger, two chances, slim and non. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alf Stonehouse Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 The French are very family orientated & i suspect as the family moves to areas of work they miss the company In the past woman used to do the washing at the village /town washing place & while the woman prefer the washing machine :-D :-D they miss the company :-( Going to a doctor i imagine give a feeling of care & interest in them? The French ive met so far may be upset with the huge tax burden & euro administration or new euro regulations but are otherwise quite happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekka Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 starvin marvin - 2011-02-02 10:08 AM If it any consolation to our cousins who live in the far west of our kingdom, I've had too many wet trips there, though not generally on a Sunday to ever wish to go again. I avoid the place like cooked seaweed. Looking forward to the game on Friday, bet the welshies aren't. However back to the thread, which was along the lines of why are the French so miserable despite cheap booze and fags? I guess nobody knows and we probably care even less. I'll just leave them alone to keep popping the pills. Finding a happy frenchie is like spotting a smiling jogger, two chances, slim and non. Could it be that the French are no different from most folk anywhere in the world, or simply that it is not true, have you thought of that. Also it's a shame you right of Wales as it has some of the best landscape and in some places the most Motor-home friendly areas of the UK, but as you are so obviously hostle to both it's inhabitants and it's climate as you perceive it, all of us living on sea weed, and bara brith, you are probably right to stay away. :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onecal Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Ah , give them a chance ,maybe they would just like to have our motorhomes?(lol) Peace to all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twooks Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 onecal vw - 2011-02-02 5:02 PM Ah , give them a chance ,maybe they would just like to have our motorhomes?(lol) Peace to all or perhaps they're just fed up with all the motorhomes blocking their views and access points. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Gwendolyn - 2011-02-02 12:07 AM What an unpleasant thread. How can you generalize about the entire population of a country. And, please note, we Welsh, with a capital letter, prefer to be addresed as such, not as "welshie". I am new to this forum. If this thread is indicative of the general standard of the discussion, I will not linger for long. Take no notice Gwendolyn, it's just like 'pub banter' sometimes, when the lads haven't got anything else better to do than try to wind people up, they're just big kids really ... wait until the teddies start flying out of their prams! :D Us ladies need to stick together! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nowtelse2do Posted February 2, 2011 Share Posted February 2, 2011 Mel B - 2011-02-02 5:55 PM Gwendolyn - 2011-02-02 12:07 AM What an unpleasant thread. How can you generalize about the entire population of a country. And, please note, we Welsh, with a capital letter, prefer to be addresed as such, not as "welshie". I am new to this forum. If this thread is indicative of the general standard of the discussion, I will not linger for long. Take no notice Gwendolyn, wait until the teddies start flying out of their prams! :D Us ladies need to stick together! :-D Yep!! Mel and Donna are like Siamese twins. :D :DDave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rapidoman Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 the french are no worse than the rest of us, go to the big towns and cities and large campsites in te honey pot areas and they can be rude and arrogant :-S but go to the small towns and countryside and most re very pleasant and helpful. like i said no different to us really. but maybe they wouldnt look so miserable if they left of the vin de table and drunk the better stuff :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekka Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I've just twigged it, perhaps it's because they find us parked up on their free Aires denying them a spot, knowing for the most part we are loaded up with UK supermarket grub. They also may well have tried the UK just once to find height barriers, threatening rules about everything from overhanging a parking bay, to 2 hour limits on Motorway service area's ( and no designated parking area with the threat of an eighty quid "fine"if you are in the wrong place) what am I a caravan, a car, a coach, a HGV. The need to join a club to use most UK sites ( at great cost ), I could go on and on.......................... ( all tongue in cheek) 8-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaggott Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 ekka - 2011-02-02 7:41 AMI have lived in Wales for more than twenty years after escaping from the Midlands and can tell you this they may well have reason to be as you put it miserable when people turn up on mass from Easter onwards and think that Wales is just an extension of England provided as a playground for the English. The widely held view that Welsh people speak Welsh just to P*** English people off does not help either. I have found the Welsh to be welcoming, helpful, and genuinely nice folk, ditto the French. For the most part I'm a miserable git, does that make all English miserable too, I think not. Perhaps the poster has been unlucky but to generalise like that I think is offensive and in the end does no one any favours. Hear, hear!! We also 'ran' from the midlands and settled as far west as possible (well almost) without leaving the mainland. When we were viewing properties the only friendly open people we met were the Welsh; the English owners just whisked us round as quickly as possible and out; the Welsh always, but always, made the offer of tea which, if accepted was always accompanied by cake or tea-bread. As far as being miserable is concerned; notice the difference when visiting relatives still marooned in the midlands. You just daren't look anyone in the face for fear of reprisals and don't mention the lack of manners ......... ! I have taken the trouble to learn a little Welsh and it soon becomes clear that the stories of Welsh being spoken only when English are around is total 'tosh'. Welsh speakers do so because it is their 1st language and they are therefore more comfortable using it. They use English when speaking to someone they know is English only because they are well mannered enough to do so. People are people no-matter their nationality; some are naturally happy and outgoing, others are like the english. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyg3nwl Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Hi, I am an English person and my wife is a Highland Scot. We have 2 Daughters, both born in Wales. Does this mean we are a miserable antisocial family ? I try to speak French when in France, (not very well) and when in Germany, I will attempt German language. I am quite happy to pass the time of day with other campers/vanners and generally find no significant gripes to moan about. The van enables us to get out and about and relax and enjoy our later years, and if our adjacent vanners wish to keep to themselves, that is their business. There is no point in whingeing about how others respond, or not as the case may be. Life's too short. My hobby enables me to contact strangers world wide via amateur radio,and we have met many of them in person over the years. tonyg3nwl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ham Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Why is it that the English do not look at themselves?. I have camped caravanned and motorhomed around Europe since 1974. Never had any problems with the French .just the opposite they have been polite and helpful and I think it is because I try and speak to them in their Language and make an hash of it and do so if I am in any other country, The worst I have met as been 1 Dutch 2 Germans . But last September I met 2 English couples parked next to each other. we where allocated the pitch next to them as the site was full, they where not very nice, ignorant and aloof and never responded to Good Morning, Good afternoon. The only conversation I got from them was when I asked them to stop taking a short cut thro my roll out awning and pitch to get to the toilets. And all I got was a mutter. I then asked to move which we did, We had planned to spend 10 days on the site but extended our stay as the people around our new pitch where great. Unfortunately for our previous neighbours they had new campers either side of them they were Italians and the kids were like wild animals and noisy, Yes the worse I have met have been English, And I am not anti English most of my family live in Staffordshire and my Wife’s family are from London.. Like Tony I am a radio Ham and speak to many others from around the world. I believe a Friendly smile and a bit of civility goes a long way. And gets me served at the Bar quicker…. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmaggott Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 ham - 2011-02-07 3:04 PMI believe a Friendly smile and a bit of civility goes a long way. And gets me served at the Bar quicker…. :-D Indeed you speak the truth! There is a tendancy in life to get back what you dole out; if you find that the majority of people are not what you would want them to be, take a look at yourself first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Usinmyknaus Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 I have spent a lot of time in France and I almost always find the locals charming, well-educated, helpful and friendly. Out and about in towns and villages and especially on public transport, French children too usually appear rather better mannered than many of their English equivalents. Yes there are exceptions, as in any country - a lot of French dog owners for example - but if I was an independent observer from planet Zog and asked to choose between a holiday in England or France - I'd lean towards France. I do always try to speak French though when I'm in France. Picking up on an earlier post about unprovoked aggression on the streets of the Midlands. There appears to be a new and unpleasant trend in the South where aggressive youths/younger adults deliberately block pavements and force older/elderly pedestrians into the road, thereby endangered them with passing traffic. The callous people doing this seem to think they have "won" something or proved their "superiority" over the "weaker" older person. For example in Barnham in West Sussex late one evening last month my wife was forced onto a busy, unlit road by an aggressive male thug who crossed from the other side of the road deliberately to block her path and glare into her face, apparently daring her to challenge him. She was forced out onto a road with a 60 mph limit and significant traffic. The following morning I saw two teenage girls do exactly the same thing to an elderly couple, both of whom were using walking sticks and had obvious mobility problems. I've heard of it happening in Manchester too, let's hope it's a passing fad. *-) Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.