SpeedRacer 1 #26 February 15, 2002 ------------------------------------------------------------------------From the PBS website."The Statue of Liberty was given to the United States by France in recognition of the friendship established between the 2 nations during the American Revolution.It was originally intended as a gift to celebrate the 100th anniversary of America's independence in 1876. Raising funds to design, ship and construct the massive structure took longer than anticipated, however, and the statue didn't find its home in New York harbor until 1886.Once there, it quickly became the world's most widely recognized symbol of liberty. Immigrants streaming into the United States by way of nearby Ellis Island were guided to America's shores, in a literal and a symbolic sense, by Liberty's torch.----------------------------------------------------------So lets stop slamming a whole country because of a few assholes....mmMM-KAAAYYYY????Speed Racer"Fill your hand, you son-of-a-bitch!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #27 February 15, 2002 (It wasn't slamming, it was joking...eitherway, just about every American I know that has ever been over there has been treated like absolute shit by the natives...including my folks who visited France for a few weeks while being station in Germany back in the '70s)."Alright, at 4500 lets break it, turn 360 and track away..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #28 February 15, 2002 Yep, I'll admit, from what I've heard.. it seems like some French, especially in Paris, seem to be God's gift to themselves...But I've also heard that they can be just as bad to one another, based on what my stepsister has told me (she spent a summer there) & what I've seen in movies, if they're accurate. Especially in Paris, the French will just rip into someone & spew insults at the smallest provocation in a way that would shock Americans & Brits. If you went around in some American neighborhoods with an attitude like that you'd probably get your ass kicked or shot! But anyway, the abuse isn't necessarily directed at just foreigners.Also in France there's a different attitude about serving customers. In America & Britain the idea is to serve the customer well, & do it better than the shop down the street with which you're competing. They don't think like that in France. In France, unless the guy in the shop actually owns the place, a customer is just a pain in the ass that has to be dealt with. And if you don't speak French, well, you're just a bigger pain in the ass. Unless you come in & spend a LOT of money, then they become friendlier!Speed Racer"Fill your hand, you son-of-a-bitch!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottbre 0 #29 February 15, 2002 Maybe that has something to do with the fact that you aren't supposed to tip in Europe because the tip is already included. So it doesn't matter how crappy your service is, cause they are getting their tip regardless. "Let the rabbits wear glasses. . . " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #30 February 15, 2002 well, I think it goes deeper than that. Maybe people are more polite to strangers in the US b/c you don't know who's packing! I for one will not flip the bird to someone who cuts me off in traffic....Isaac Asimov once said, "An armed society is a polite society!" LOL!!Speed Racer"Fill your hand, you son-of-a-bitch!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #31 February 15, 2002 QuoteMaybe that has something to do with the fact that you aren't supposed to tip in Europe because the tip is already included.I wish someone had told me this before my trip to England this past fall. I couldn't figure out why all the brits were mumbling "Dumb bloody American" while counting the extra pounds I left. Plus the exchange rate sucked when I was over there!"I am a victim of my environment."Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottbre 0 #32 February 15, 2002 That's an interesting theory but I am pretty sure it is more involved than just being afraid that person might shoot you. Probably has something to do with ages of socio-cultural development. Besides we are talking about the French right? You know the country that has a 25 hour work week and can still find reasons to go on strike all the time. "Let the rabbits wear glasses. . . " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottbre 0 #33 February 15, 2002 QuoteI wish someone had told me this before my trip to England this past fall. I couldn't figure out why all the brits were mumbling "Dumb bloody American" while counting the extra pounds I left. Plus the exchange rate sucked when I was over there!I'm sure that they were still glad to keep your money. "Let the rabbits wear glasses. . . " Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #34 February 15, 2002 Exchange rate sucked last fall??? How bad could it have been? When I visted there in 1988 with my girlfriend, a british pound cost $1.85- $1.90!! Now it's $1.43, but last fall it couldn't have been more than about $1.65.... Beats the shit out of 1988 exchange rate, anyway!!Speed Racer"Fill your hand, you son-of-a-bitch!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #35 February 15, 2002 You're exactly right, it was $1.65. I prefer exchange rates that are lower than the dollar. I'm funny that way."I am a victim of my environment."Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooked 0 #36 February 15, 2002 I agree, and so does everyone else, that the Canadian Pair team deserves the Gold. But last night, the judging was fair, the Russsian deserves the Gold, his skating was near perfect!J Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #37 February 15, 2002 Muenkel: It doesn't matter whether the unit of currency in a given country is lower or higher than our unit (the dollar) That's not the way it works. The unit used is totally arbitrary, it has nothing to do with actual buying power.If that were true, then Japan would be cheap as hell!!Speed Racer"Fill your hand, you son-of-a-bitch!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AndyMan 7 #38 February 15, 2002 This just outta Reuters, a second gold will be given to Canada.WooHoo!_AmICQ: 5578907MSN Messenger: andrewdmetcalfe at hotmail dot com Yahoo IM: ametcalf_1999 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jumperpaula 0 #39 February 15, 2002 Quote..the Russsian deserves the Gold, his skating was near perfect! Agreed, I thought both Russians were great last night. I love men in tights... Fly Your Slot ! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strynx 0 #40 February 15, 2002 Was it the same judges judging the event? The Canadian pair got robbed but at least they get support. I don't know alot about figure skating but i saw their performance on the news the other day (CBC) and It was the most syncronised pair of skaters i saw. (They must Be sleepin 2getter) LOL. Still they deserve the gold and something needs to be done about the judging factor. P.L.U.R. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #41 February 15, 2002 Technically you're right. I was referring to the psychological factor here. Like when you have a million lira, it just sounds like alot of money.I am smarter than I look...I think."I am a victim of my environment."Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strynx 0 #42 February 15, 2002 "a second gold will be given to Canada."WOOHOO! but do you think that the Russian deserves a gold also? Do they get to keep their silver too ? I still think they're (Canadian) the only deserving the gold but hey it's better than nothing.P.L.U.R. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
christopherm 0 #43 February 15, 2002 I'm so happy for the Canadians getting the gold now. However, it's just not the same when there are two golds. Those medals need to be taken away from those Russian skaters, they are just as bad as the judges for accepting them. I guess that is asking to much.-So, how hard is the ground?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strynx 0 #44 February 15, 2002 Damn wright! It's a commi conspiracyLOL!P.L.U.R. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #45 February 15, 2002 I say, Where the hell is Tonya Harding when you need her?Whhhyyyyyy, Whyyyyyyyy"I am a victim of my environment."Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tee 0 #46 February 15, 2002 Quote Who cares? It's not like Canada is a real country anyways Oooohh.....somebody's looking for a spanking!!! Quote English speaking canadian putting a poor unsuspecting Quebequois under some sort of sexual charm Now there is a big fat lie if I ever heard one! It is you frenchmen that scoop up us sweet, innocent, unsuspecting Alberta girls!Tee Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverds 0 #47 February 15, 2002 [cartman voice on] Those Russians really piss me off! [cartman voice off]"Gas...Undercarriage...Mixture...Prop...Beer" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strynx 0 #48 February 15, 2002 "I say, Where the hell is Tonya Harding when you need her?"LOL!Tee: i have to agree with the Alberta girl description you just gave but i think Remi is right with is theory ....or maybe it's our accent.... either way it's all good.Diverds:[Stalin's voice on] Will conquer those Capitalist by any means necessary we are the best skaters in the world BWAHAHAHA[Stalin's voice off]P.L.U.R. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #49 February 15, 2002 Ok, its official, the Canadians were awarded a Gold and the judges were suspended...no idea about the Commies...er, ahhh, Russians..."Alright, at 4500 lets break it, turn 360 and track away..." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strynx 0 #50 February 15, 2002 WOOHOO! now where talkin. Hopes it never happens to any countries exept maybe the ones that desrves it (use imagination and watch CNN. LOL) P.L.U.R. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites