I?ll explain why I hold the French in low regard.
A friend of my father was a P.O. in the R.N. and took part in every major landing during the war.
More importantly he took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk. The only time he would mention the war was when he?d had a couple of whiskies and then, only rarely. He was disgusted at the behaviour of the French troops who had been rescued. He said that they demanded this and demanded that and were completely undisciplined ------ a rabble. Everybody must have been scared but at least the British troops had some respect and were better organised. He classed the French as ?lacking in moral fibre?.
One of my fathers? uncles was in the 51st Highland Division, the division which was sacrificed to keep the French in the war and were left behind at Dunkirk. He told stories of almost being trampled on by retreating French troops who offered no assistance whatsoever. He wondered (as I do) why Scottish troops were being left in France while French troops were being taken to Britain. He regarded the French troops with nothing but contempt which I suppose has rubbed off on me.
My final reason, is, I got stuck in the shithole that is Le Havre for 3 days during winter many years ago and I can honestly say that the staff in my hotel was among the most sullen, rude and unhelpful people it has been my misfortune to meet. I didn?t want to be there but if your job is in the hotel trade, then surely it is also your job to take care of your customers.
Hence the French are not my favourite people.