OCM is right, and it goes back at least 300 years, probably more. When you're the dominant land power in Europe, the world beats a path to your door. Silly things start to become widespread.

I don't know about the taking abuse part, though. I think they're still coming to terms with their loss of empire and whatnot.

Who else would use "supervowels"? I dunno, the English? (e.g. "archæology") I think I read that in an encyclopædia, or maybe a little dæmon told me.

Jazz. I am referring to jazz. But fair enough, if some of you don't see that as culture..... *shrug* Like I said, it's subjective.

English is such a slippery language.

"Culture" has several meanings. "Epitome" has a few.

The most popular cheese in the world is cheddar.

I bet the french hate that...but I love Brie.

Oh, yes, the cheese! This alone would explain a lot of France's sophistication... I grew up on mild cheddar and marble cheeses... yuk. I'm now a big fan of Brie, but I must say I enjoy Camembert more... yum!

I fail to see the point of your posts in this thread. Perhaps sophistication is blurting out old stereotypes instead of providing actual experience and material fit for discussion?

The French are mad that we kicked their asses in WWII.

Or maybe they're just mad that we don't know our history??? (Assuming you are American?)

Regardless, I'm pretty sure most French don't even remember WWII. It is for this same reason that I hold no grudges against Germans, despite the fact that Germans were responsible for shooting my grandfather out of the sky and fed him rotting potatoes and filthy water for weeks before they had to release him. Doesn't make me mad, simply sympathetic.

Maybe they're still mad we didn't invade their airspace when they told us we couldn't use it, and then accidentally lobbed a bomb at their embassy in Liberia? Just a thought.
Sophistication takes many forms, most of which I don't pretend to understand.

Nice! And don't forget Catherine Deneuve and Melissa Theuriau (click on the names for links to their Google Images pages). :bowdown:

EDIT: Just to warn potential viewers...there may be a bit of nekkidness on those Google Images pages.

Regarding French culture; some things I like and some things I dislike. Pretty much like any other culture I can think of.

My grandma's neighbor is an old woman, but back when bombs were falling in Normandy she was a young teenager. (that area where her and grandma lived and still live is Calvados, where Caen and many other war-affected towns are).
She told me her and her family found a wounded soldier (I don't recall if he was british or american) in their yard. They hid him in the house and tried to take care of him (the Vichy gov't would've arrested/deported them if they knew they were helping out Allies), but he eventually died in front of them, right on the kitchen table.
My grandpa watched his friend get crushed by a falling building.
It's certainly going to be strange when all the people who remember those days are dead. It's just impossible for me to imagine. I've never witnessed war with my own eyes.

If you are American, the French are grateful that your ancestors liberated our country from Nazi Germany occupation.
If you are German, the French aren't mad at you. They might be mad at those who orchestrated the invasion, and those who collaborated with them.
WWII history is very interesting. I really do think you should learn about it, and I'm not saying that to be mean, or condescending.

Parce-que francais est un langue tres belle et melodique. Anglophones l'ecoutent et ils pensent 'les personnes qui parlent cette langue doivent etre tres sophistique.'

(With apologies to any francophones, I have no accents on my keyboard).

It's really Paris that garners most of the reputation. And really, given that the city (and country) is renowned for wine, fashion, cuisine and architecture I don't think it's any great surprise.

Because other countries aren't. Look at where a country's time is spent.

Canada is more concerned about ice hockey and importing cars.

Mexico is more concerned about money and going to the beach.

USA is more concerned about power and politics.

England is more concerned about tea and futball.

Switzerland is more concerned about importing celebrities and money.

Australia is more concerned about huge frogs and the environment.

India is more concerned about food and telemarketing jobs.

China is more concerned about jobs last names and population.

Japan is more concerned about clothes, money, and property.

Yes all countries do lip service to art, culture, and beauty, but Paris actually does it more often. They accept all artists from all over the world. I would agree with someone else that said Paris is not France. Yes, these are all over-generalizations, but that is probably all that this thread will ever be about. *smile*

Jonathan

I disagree, French people aren't more concerned about their culture, or their art, or anything "sophisticated" than people from other countries.
We're like everyone else, we watch sports and bad TV, drink beer, criticize our country and other countries' politicians, and once in a while we'll go to a museum if our spouse really, really insists upon it.

If I were to group people by what their general interests are, I wouldn't necessarily use their country of origin as a major criteria, although it does have some bearing on the details (for example, a Mexican sports enthusiast would probably watch soccer, an American would watch footbal, or maybe baseball).

I think the factors that determine people's interests are rather:
-Buying power: people often act similar, regardless of where they live, if they are poorer, equal, or richer than the average guy of their own country.

-Political status of their country: Depending on whether a country is a democracy, a dictatorship, or some other form of country, people will have different ways of thought, and different needs and desires. For example, I think people who live in a democracy have to worry less about their rights and can thus spend more time focusing on what they want and don't really need.

-Religion: Religious beliefs can have a significant effect on what people are interested in. I don't think I need to explain.

There are more criteria that I think can affect what people's interests will be, but I'm too tired to write any more.

"People are people
so why should it be
(that) you and I should get along so awfully?"

Well OCM, I hope, and I think you and me get along just fine :D.