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Cornwallis: battle was an occupation of gentlemen with some elements of chivalry on the field, so it was a "draw" enforced via a French naval blockade. Having surrendered to the French (but not to those colonial rebels) the gentlemen would withdraw in good order. The French: that goes back to at least 1066 and the battle that brought those bastard Normans to England, just as King Harold had his back turned dealing with the Viking invaders coming out of Scandinavia and attacking York (that's the original York of course). Harold did a pretty good job overall, but he fought on two fronts, consequetively (very nearly concurrently, even by todays' standards of logistics and transport infrastructure) - that sounds familiar to today! Never mind Joan, don't neglect Crecy and Agincourt in the equation. Nowadays, the Brits have been buying up property in France and integrating into their social life - the bloodline will always be well mixed! |
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Also the way I see it most Europeans have the same amount of distain for the UK as they do the USA anyway. I know this is certainly true in my country and a lot of the other EU countries I have been to. |
can't say as I've ever noticed any distain coming my way when in Europe - and I found that when in Islamic countries as long as you spit on the floor if you hear the name Bush or Blair mentioned people are very friendly. The names always get mentioned within 5 minutes of talking to people.
How far back to people follow their allegiances? Do we/should we hate the french because of 1066, or just because they are a near neighbour? Have just found out that I am a viking anyway (if you go back to 1028) so not sure where that leaves me........ |
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I only mentioned that because the person who started this thread has been using British press as a guide to European opinion. British press and the press of the rest of Europe are very, very different. |
We love them really
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An American Tourist In London An American tourist in London decides to skip his tour group and explore the city on his own. He wanders around, seeing the sights, occasionally stopping at a quaint pub to soak up the local culture, chat with the locals, and have a pint of bitter. After a while, he finds himself in a very nice neighbourhood with big, stately residences. No pubs, no stores, no restaurants and, worst of all, no public restrooms. However, after all those Guinnesses, he really has to go. He finds a narrow side street, with high walls surrounding the adjacent buildings and decides to use the wall to solve his problem. As he is unzipping, he is tapped on the shoulder by a London bobby, who says, "Sir, you simply cannot do that here, you know." "I'm very sorry, officer," replies the American, "but I really have to go, and I just can't find a public restroom." "Ah, yes," said the bobby, "just follow me". He leads the American through a back delivery alley to a gate, which he opens. "In there," points the bobby, "whiz away sir, anywhere you like." The fellow enters and finds himself in the most beautiful garden he has ever seen. Manicured grass lawns, statuary, fountains, sculptured hedges, and huge beds of gorgeous flowers, all in perfect bloom. Since he has the policeman's blessing, he relieves himself and feels much more comfortable. As he goes back through the gate, he says to the bobby, "That was really decent of you. Is that what you call English hospitality?" "No, sir." replied the bobby. "That is what we call the French Embassy." |
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:eek3: |
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