Read comments 2006-now

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2004-2005

What the readers have written / ce que les lecteurs ont écrit

34. Date: 2003-12-26, From: schins
Nationality: Belgian, Living in: Denmark
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Interesting, Insulting, Useful.
General: This website is full of information, more than interesting to understand a country when you are a foreign resident. Bitter and sarcastic sense of humour. Well, British and Belgian may have this common point that makes the assessment understable for me ;-).
French section : Having friends in France, I would confirm Regis (post 14 Dec 2003) that the content is general but not enough. French people have, as many nations, nice, ugly and wonderful persons. Just meet the last "category" and you will find France great too. 
Danish section : Insightful, explains some facts that can be understood differently, for ex. the bikes invasion is not only 
due to love of environment but also due to hig tax level . I would suggest to give an average of salary to make more understandable the figures mentioned along. My last word would be: Come and visit Denmark, it is worth it Regards

Author's comment: I tend to agree with you about the "nazi" term. I'll probably remove it. About the French, of course everything is not so bad as this page says. If it were, I'd have fled the country already. But the page is a counterweight to the hundreds or thousands of leaflets, brochures, sites etc. that point a very rosy picture of the country - much more rosy than reality. I consider that it's not difficult to find such information, and so I'll leave my page with just those sides of French life that are untouched by the glossies. I'll leave the "political correct" stuff to someone else. 
It's difficult to give an average Danish salary level. I haven't lived in the country for 10 years and I have lost touch with wages. It may be that I rather need to remove some other figures that are out of date. Well worth visiting Denmark as a tourist, yes, but don't settle there.

33. Date: 2003-12-14, From: regis
Nationality: French, Living in: France
Opinion: Interesting, Insulting.
i read the french page to know what can think people about my country but i think even if some inside is truth it's so easy to draw a bad view of a country when u are not citizen and i'm not agree with a lot of thing inside if i was foreigner i will just run away after read the France page.. we are not the best people of the world it's not because our present say something that all french are the same !! i'm very open minded speak english as i can a little bit of german and try to learn polish language my god be more soft when u don't know people you are talking about... u take all in general but u did not dig to get more information or to know what is the truth or the fake ! dod u know how many french died during the second war to save jews ? i'm not proud of what did some french citizen during this war but if u look on every counrty u will find some stupid egoistic people in every country !and about french master of europe my god are u crasy u should know that decision take by the politic are not made by french themself ! europen ? of course when it good for the coutry.. your site is interesting but insulting for french citizen and for the counrty... if i take this time to write u it' just to say that i'm not agree with all.. ask to my german friend what she think about me.. what about my american friend if i did not wash me enough or my polish friend if the snail are so horrible to eat... u will be maybe surprised...... sincerely... regis... a little angry but always opendminded !

Author's comment: When writing in general about a country, it's impossible not to generalise. One cannot describe 60 million individuals but only some common features than may seem more commonly present in one country than another. For every statement written about a people, there will be individuals who are just the opposite. If I criticise the president or the government, they are obviously the target; not the citizens, who are rarely given the choice to vote for a sensible politician. The French people are in fact being dragged around by the nose by their own governments and presidents. The same could be said about many other countries. That said, while most people are happy to laugh at other countries, only the truly openminded can laugh at his own country. I certainly haven't given my own country, Denmark, any better treatment.

32. Date: 2003-10-20, From: ben... moi quoi
Nationality: first Alsacian, then European, then French, Living in: Denmark
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Interesting, Insulting.
First, thanks a lot for all the times I laughed out loud when reading your comments (especially about France)... As a French-native, having lived 4 years in Germany just next to the Luxemburger border, knowing pretty-well UK for having been there for several few-months-long stays, and now living in Denmark for a few months, I have to admit that most of the stuff you've (brightly) written is (unfortunately ?) true. I sometimes felt a bit "insulted", not about the French page -nearly everything you wrote is TOTALEMENT VÉRIDIQUE- [totally truthful - Ed.], but because of all the political comments about Denmark. Sorry, but as both an "incurable" 23 years-old far-left-ecologist and as a rather not very rich person, I still think the Danish social system is really better than the French and Spanish one... and YES, I'm a very proud cycle-terrorist!!! ;-p Nevertheless, thanks for the "Jantelov-system" explanation. It's true that in general Danish people doesn't like the others to "se mettre en avant" (sorry I can't find the right expression in english) [push oneself forward; be in the forefront, Ed.] which, as it is one of the French people's favourite hobbies, is quite frustrating... Thanks again for the great time I had visiting your website... PS : there would be loads of stuff to write about Spain too... It's a pity you didn't go there !!

Author's comment: Yet another comment that proves that the French can learn other languages very well and also view the world in a balanced way. Great comments! About Danish politics, I certainly respect your point of view. I certainly believe that there should be a decent social protection in place, like it is the case in many European countries. But there is a lot of waste that should be addressed, and social protection should not discourage people from taking care of themselves as it sometimes does. Not many people are "rich", but the vast middle class in Denmark is subject to a decades long campaign of "hatred" through excessive taxes that discourage productivity and risk-taking and repeated attacks from politicians that despite record-high taxes keep saying that "the broadest shoulders must bear the heaviest burdens". Social protection can only be paid for if the part of the country that produce money is functioning well. The Danish way of tax-hunting discourages inward investment and it encourages the qualified workforce to go elsewhere. As for ecology, France could benefit from an export load of Danish ecologists. As a Dane in France, it's sometimes frustrating to see how much they're behind here. There would be loads of stuff to write about most countries, but I have decided only to deal with those countries where I have lived.

31. Date: 2003-08-13, From: pascal Jaouen
Nationality: French, Living in: France
Opinion: Funny, Interesting, Useful.
Page commented: The Danish Page.
Hello, I lived in Denmark in 85/86 and I found Denmark also very boring (very little festivities, community life... even if I had a lot of Danish friends. Also, I was tired of the way the Danes think their country is one of the best in the world and Danish products are so good! They were like feeling insulted when I was telling them that most french people did not know were denamark was. A bientot.

30. Date: 2003-07-10, From: Ray
Nationality: American, Living in: USA (New Orleans)
Thanks, Finn. 
I enjoyed spending a couple hours on your pages today. Will come back for more soon. You are a very astute observer. I thought the French, British and Danish pages were funny, interesting, entertaining-- but, most importantly, right on target.
We are buying an apartment in Paris. I sign the papers next week: 17 July. We will visit as often as we can and rent it out occasionally for short stays. My partner is Danish. I lived in Paris for a year 40 years ago and have visited France often ever since. I agree with your notions and exaggerations. If people weren't partly that way in each culture (as their understood stereotypical behavior), then it wouldn't strike us as funny. The U.S. is not metioned, presumably because you have no direct knowledge of living here. Here is a question for you. I really thought you were right that the key to understanding the French is that they are egoists. In fact, that is the key to understanding everything in France. So, what is the key to understanding Americans? Any one quality or trait comes to your mind? I really am curious if anyone has an idea. A notion of "can do" comes to mind, but it doesn't have to be necessarily a positive. To me the real key to understanding the Danes is to watch "Babette's Feast" a few times. Leave out the religion, but take the rest of their notions in that film and you have the underlying base of the Danish culture. I can't put it in a word. It's something about not communicating, about self-denial, about Spartan existence; about sparsity, about "less is better", about "it's good to deny yourself pleasure", it's good to deny yourself too much money, etc. Denial, denial, denial. Too reserved to really enjoy life. I see the Danes admiring the "art of living" that the French aspire to-- tho' they rarely admit it.

29. Date: 2003-06-03, From: CMK
Nationality: French (nobody's perfect), Living in: France
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Interesting.
Page commented: La French Page.
I have just finished reading La French Page and I cannot find the slightest point to disagree with. All of your comments are (sad but) true ! Congratulations fot helping the French (at least those who can read English) understanding that they are definitely NOT the best "race" in the world !

Author's comment: If, like you, everybody in Europe were able to look themselves in the mirror and admit what they could do better, then Europe would be a great place. Vive les Français honnêtes !

28. Date: 2003-05-24, From: Godo
Nationality: Austrian, Living in: Austria (for the time being ;) )
Opinion: Entertaining, Interesting, Insulting, Useful.
Page commented: The European Single Market Reality - or - The Emperor's New Clothes.
Commenting on the following passage of your "European Single Market" page: 
QUOTE 
If I could have voted at the Danish referendum about the Single Currency, I would have voted no. But in this undemocratic EU that's being built, those courageous ones who've moved to another Member State cannot vote where they live, and depending on their nationality, they can't vote in their country of origin either, like in the case of Denmark. So, since I emigrated in 1993, I've been deprived of all rights to vote at parliamentary elections and national referendums, being limited to local and EU parliamentary elections. [... - philosophical thoughts omitted] 
UNQUOTE 
I think that this is particularly a question of discipline in the member states. What you described seems to ba a Danish problem, as an Austrian, even when living abroad - no matter whether it's within the EU or a third party country and not taking into account whether I've been living abroad for 10, 20, 30, ... years - I have the right according to the Austrian legislation to cast my vote in national elections through the Austrian Embassy in the country currently hosting me. This would include plebiscites like over a single currency. That is, of course, if we wouldn't already be using it (and which I'm quite happy with so far, despite Mr. Duisenberg's decision to keep European exports low for the time being)...

Author's comment: One can't even say it's a question of discipline, because everybody is respecting the law. I know that some states like Britain, and you tell Austria, allow citizens to vote in their state even when expatriated. However, the real problem is that EU nationals living in other EU Member States cannot vote in the country where they live. Once expatriated, you are usually not concerned very much with the laws of your native country, but the laws of the country where you live affect your daily life. The failure of the "Single Market" is that this issue has not been properly addressed. 
As for your being happy about the single currency, you may indeed save a few euros on bank transfers and other, but the negative effects of the euro are already visible in the form of economic problems, recession and unemployment. If you had the choice of losing your job but saving 20 € a year on exchange rates or the opposite, what would you prefer? Are you happy about the French manoeuvring to take over control of EU finances and politics by the back door? Isn't it a strange coincidence that it's a Frenchman (Giscard d'Estaing) who leads the European Convention? Remember that the French insisted that a Frenchman must be appointed as a director of the European Central Bank?.

27. Date: 2003-04-29, From: Moshe
Nationality: English, Living in: Great Britain
Opinion: Funny, Not Funny, Boring.
Page commented: The British, French pages.
Most of profiles are mildly amusing, but I stress the word mildly... and less mildly unoriginal. It's old hat. Everyone's seen this all before (excepting the comically-starved European audience, only done with more sophistication, more perception... done funnier. In light of which your intro : "I have refined the fine art of insulting others. You are likely to be offended while reading about your own country if you do not possess a good sense of humour. This site contains hard-core sarcasm, cultural chauvinism and indiscriminate ridicule." : is crazily overblown. I could do better, most English people could.

Author's comment: I simply notice that when browsing through previous "negative" entries in the Visitors' Book, I've seen far more inspired comments.

26. Date: 2003-04-14, From: terry wilkinson
Nationality: English, Living in: England
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Interesting, Insulting, Useful.
Had a good read and must say that i did take offence but with my warped sense of humour i can laugh at what you have written thats why i shall move to live in France as soon as i am able

25. Date: 2003-03-17, From: anonymous
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Interesting, Useful.
NO WAR!!! DOWN WITH THIS BLOODY WAR MONGER GEORGE W. BUSH (UGH). POINT YOUR FINGERS AT AMERICA BECAUSE THERE LIVES THE WORLD'S GREATEST DICTATOR - GEORGE W. BUSH!!! WHO AGREES WITH ME? MAY GOD BLESS EUROPE AND KEEP THE PEACE IN WORLD!!! P.S.: Very nice site! Keep it up!

Author's comment: Thanks for the comments. We'll never agree on the war, and somehow the welfare of the Iraqi people seems to have been forgotten by all the war protesters. While you're free to state your opinion, they aren't!

24. Date: 2003-03-04, From: Brian Johnston
Nationality: British, Living in: France
Opinion: Entertaining, Interesting, Insulting.
Page commented: The French page.
I must say i found your comments on France and the French just a little OTT [Over-The-Top, ed.]. Some of it was funny and strikes a chord with me but most of it sounded like a diatribe by someone who doesn't seem to have taken much trouble to get to know the subject. Your comments on bureacracy are fairly typical. I have found the administration here unfailingly polite and helpful ( except for La Poste and Aeroports de Paris). The health system is wonderful - I have had none of the problems you describe - except for a bad back from carrying the tonnes of medcines prescribed by my doctor. In fact during a recent visit my mother's sight was saved by being in France. If she had had the same problem in the UK she would have certainly lost her sight in one eye due to the fact that she has to wait weeks simply to have an appointment with her GP. Here, we went straight to a specialist who operated the next day!! My experience of French people is really quite similar to many other countries - if you go a little way towards them they will respond warmly. If you want a lesson in insularity and xenophobia - go to Norway!! Of all your comments, the one about the French being lazy is the most off target. I have worked in several French companies and have many working French friends and aquaintances and I can assure you that they are not afraid of hard work - even in their much maligned public services. The exception to this is the "education national" which is filled with jobsworths and people seeking an easy life- at least in the primary sector.(Depressingly similar to the UK equivalent) Having said that, all of my children could read well in their first year at school!! Sorry to rabbit on - one last comment - in 17 years of living here I have come across only one overtly anti-british person. In general the french like to complain about us in a provocative but friendly way and reserve their most cutting comments for their own politicians who must be the most despised sub-class in Europe (with the possible exception of new labour). Anyway enough of this, I must get on and finish the rest of my 2 hour lunch break. salut Brian Johnston.

Author's comment: Thanks for your comments. Well. I don't present the page as a systematic study or a researched project, and I believe that is pointed out in the disclaimer and other intro. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement, and as time permits, the page will develop. On re-reading the Bureaucracy chapter, I can see that it does indeed need to be updated, and the initial problems with the carte vitale are not relevant any more. But my criticism of the bureaucracy will be even stronger when updated, and it will be based on my own experiences. Good if you haven't had too much trouble, but plenty of people have. Even the new government knows it and have initiated a research project into e-administration and other initiatives to improve the quality. They went so far as to opening an Internet forum and inviting anybody to comment. It was a huge success in exposing the problems and discussing future options. The quality of the health care itself can be wonderful, but I'm less impressed here in Lille. In general, the closer you get to Paris, the better the health care. I agree about Norway. And the "lazy" comment needs reviewing (Toyota has just accused the British of being more lazy than the French, but we probably all are compared with the Japanese).

23. Date: 2003-03-04, From: Benny Brice
Nationality: American, Living in: United States of America
Opinion: Interesting, Useful.
Page commented: The French page.
I read your french page for insight into the French. Now that I have, I now understand the problem with france. I have long known that the best way to understand a country is to study it's people (this is particularly true of middle eastern countries). As a American angry with france's lack of support for the U.S. I wanted to know why france would turn its back on a country that saved it twice in one century. Now I realize most french are arrogant selfish people. That is why france is standing beside it's good friend Iraq for economic reasons. These reasons are why france will turn it's back on America. I realize that money is more important than friendship. So i say forget the french. Melt down the Statue of Liberty and send it back. I personally will buy nothing french. I hope my fellow countrymen will do the same. In fact I now say liberty fries. The word french is now used a curse word. Reserved for anything that is worthless. I say give me a plate of Liberty fries, and "GOD BLESS AMERICA" Thank You

Author's comment: While I fully understand the desire to boycott French products, it can be discussed whether such a boycott will have the desired effect. Most likely, it will hit randomly and mainly smaller producers of for example cheese or wine, and it could even be a foreigner producing wine in France. Chances are the individual is concentrating on cheese or wine production rather than politics. Boycotting may simply be just what you need to help you steam off.

22. Date: 2003-02-17, From: Lisa
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Interesting, Useful.
I am thinking of moving to france.I came to your web site by accident,stayed on it for about an hour and thought it was great. You have got lots of useful information that is not stuffy or boring to read. Well Done from another forty year old.

21. Date: 2003-02-13, From: imon
Nationality: American (born in Finland), Living in: USA
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Useful.
Page commented: The British, French and Danish pages.
It seems that Europeans have a very hard time laughing at themselves even though they don't think twice when laughing about our fat cowboy yanks. Whatever. I thought your pages were extremely exaggerated at first, but you really seem to be a conservative Dane. That's quite refreshing. But I can't blame them for thinking highly of themselves since Denmark, as well as the other Nordic countries, is indeed in an enviable position in the world. As much as you criticize it, it does seem to work rather well as you have one of the highest standards of living, education, etc. Aren't very high taxes a fair price to pay for that? Another point, you have probably seen Denmark's rank as number two in a recent survey of government corruption. You however say it is fundamentally corrupt. Were you exaggerating greatly or do you think the ranking based on false perceptions? Finally, I know you are quite conservative, but that's relative to Denmark. I'm curious to know whether, if you were in my country, you think you would be closer to a Republican or a Democrat.

Author's comment: As you say, surprisingly many people only find humour funny if it'a about others. You have of course noticed that I haven't given my own country any special treatment. Danish standard of living may be high, but the tax/quality rate is not the best. Other Western countries enjoy equally high standards for less taxes. While the gross national product in DK per citizen may be one of the highest in the world, it's false to use that as an indicator for richness or quality of living or purchasing power, as newspapers frequently do. The GNP is a fairly artificial number. If you compare a Dane's purchasing power to other countries, it's much less favorable to DK. The corruption in Denmark that I mention is different from taking bribes, as is more common in e.g. Southern Europe. It's an institutional corruption like e.g. horsetrading between unions and the government to prevent civil servants from getting the full pension they are legally entitled to. That's an actual example. Another is the built-in corruption of the courts. As the Ministry of Justice appoints the higher judges, it's in the best interest of judges not to make controversial decisions that could cost the government too much money. The concrete result is that even though the law may be on the citizen's side, he'll lose anyway, because the higher courts are unwilling to apply the law if it's too controversial, as is often the case in tax affairs. I've seen the ranking you mention, and it's based on people's perception of bribery. Based on "classic" bribery, the rating is probably not too much off the mark. But the rating doesn't consider the type of bribery I mention. I'd be a Republican in the US.

20. Date: 2003-02-04, From: Paul clare
Nationality: English, Living in: England
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Useful.
Page commented: The British and French pages.
I have to say firstly that Im not proud to be English/British and cant see any reason to be,(exept if we win the world cup I suppose).What makes your veiws so funny is that they are so true and I know you have exaggerated in some areas but the fact that so many people have felt insulted by your observations suggest you are probably pretty close to the mark!! congrats on a great site!!!

19. Date: 2003-01-27, From: roosta
Nationality: English, Living in: UK
Opinion: Funny, Not funny, Entertaining, Interesting, Boring, Insulting, Useful, Not useful.
Page commented: The British page.
I was just going to write something about being a proud Brit, and insulted by what you wrote about Britain etc, but having read the other posts on this page, I can't help but admire the achievement of making so many people hate your guts, and more importantly, you not caring whether they do or not. We shouldn't take ourselves so seriously. Well done that man, I'll buy you pint. And if you try to make it 568ml, I'll kill you.

Author's comment: If I took myself really seriously, I'd closed my site long time ago. If people really want to read things like "beautiful country, friendly people, interesting sights" and so on, a lifetime wouldn't be enough to read all the material produced. At least my insults are free and they produce many interesting reactions, positive and negative. All input to my Visitors' Book has been published unedited. Oh, by the way, according to my Imperial-metric conversation table, one pint is 568.26 ml, but maybe the 0.26 ml accounts for the foam.

18. Date: 2003-01-20, From: Trine
Nationality: Danish, Living in: Denmark
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining.
Page commented: The Danish page.
Hallo!!! I am a danish girl and I just wanna say something about the danish site. You make it sounds like that the socialism is just crab and that goverment (that we sorry don't have anymore) just wan't the take our money! Sorry, but I can't see that the conservative goverment is good in any kind of way.... Does they doest'n take money from us? Are they better? Please answer me......

Author's comment: Political parties calling themselves conservative, like "Konservative" and "Venstre", in many ways behave like social democrats and thereby come under what I call socialism in a broad sense. If one compares with other European countries, one will realise that Danish "conservatives" are sometimes more socialist than foreign "social democrats" or "socialists". Therefore, I don't find Danish conservative parties much better than the Social democrats.

17. Date: 2002-12-14, From: Tiger
Nationality: French, Living in: France
Opinion: Funny.
Page commented: The French page.
Really enjoyed to see what our foreign's friends thinks about us. I really smile with your reacts...But how many time did you stay in France to discover all these little 'pieces of life' of french people?... Sorry for my english, but You know the relationship between French and English langage are not so good :op Regards.

Author's comment: I've lived in France since 1998. No need to apologise for your English; it's far better than my German...

16. Date: 2002-10-15, From: anonymous
Nationality: Danish, Living in: France
Opinion: Entertaining.
Page commented: The French and Danish pages.
I think your proposals are typically rigthwing Danish. Your personality reminds me of many rich snobbish Danes who went abroad to make money and avoid the Danish taxes. Some of your stories about France shows your lack of knowledge and integration in France. Its always easy to laugh about a different culture than the Anglo-Saxon one. Why dont you treat the same points in each country? What you said about the Danes is only half as insulting as what you say about "the Frenchies". -Still I did read you page with interest, but I do find you a bit to carismatic.

Author's comment: Your comments remind me why I’m so happy not to live in Denmark. Thanks for that. The trouble with the mentality of many Danes is that making money for yourself and your family instead of living off the state is seen as suspect. While paying record high taxes is unattractive to any prosperous individual, it’s rarely enough in itself to make someone emigrate. If that were the case, only half of Denmark’s original population would remain in Denmark; that is, the half that is living off public funds. The French page is not meant to be a presentation of knowledge, but a subjective description of some experiences. For neutral information, the web is full of good resources.

15. Date: 2002-10-06, From: Antoine Lehebel
Nationality: French, Living in: Denmark
Opinion: Funny, Interesting.
Page commented: The French page.
Really a very good site, the french page is so funny!

14. Date: 2002-09-09, From: Nathalie
Nationality: French, Living in: Australia
Opinion: Entertaining.
Page commented: The French page.
You've been a bit ruthless with us. I know you're kiding, but I'm a bit bored to hear the same things about French people: they're dirty, arrogant, helpless, etc. It's good to share your experiences but everything you mention is bad, except for bread. Why the hell did you live in France? What makes this country so liveable ??? I know French are disorganised I realised it compared to Oz. But anyway, I hope your information help foreigners to immigrate... at least ! What makes a French woman sexy ? Her smell ?

Author's comment: If it's boring to hear these things regularly, it's even worse having to tolerate some of these things in your daily life. France being liveable is more of a myth than reality, unless all one's interested in is eating, taking holidays and having affairs. When you've finished with the endless, administrative paperwork, there's no more time left for "liveable" life anyway. There's a subtle difference between the natural body smell and the stench coming from someone who hasn't had intimate contact with soap for a week.

13. Date: 2002-08-12, From: anonymous
Opinion: Boring.
pathetic, just simply pathetic, wish i could get the 12.2 seconds of my life i wasted on your site back somehow

12. Date: 2002-07-15, From: john
Nationality: British, Living in: United Kingdom
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Interesting, Useful.
Page commented: The Danish, French and British pages.
just wanted to express my thanks for your funny and witty material especially the british and english info
myself and my family are contemplating a move to the south of france and believe your tongue-in-cheek remarks to be spot on,thanks for a good laugh
john

11. Date: 2002-07-15, From: John
Nationality: British, Living in: United Kingdom
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Useful.
Page commented: The French and British pages and France: Immigration and travel information page.
Highly amusing. Your France immigration page is very informative and has really useful links. I may get in touch with you once I've settled in Paris or wherever.
As regards the French and their supposed lack of hygiene I can't comment, since I haven't spent enough time there to notice, but one thing did impress me. When I went to a French public swimming-pool last year, I saw uniformed attendants checking that visitors wore suitable swimming costume and that they had a shower BEFORE entering the pool. Not at all like England.
Oh, and you didn't mention how sexy French women are - even if they're quite ugly....

Author's comment: If it's necessary to check visitors to swimming pools, it's because it's no secret that the existence of soap isn't universal knowledge in France.

10. Date: 2002-07-01, From: anonymous
Nationality: American, Living in: Denmark
Opinion: Funny.
Page commented: The Danish page.
I found your Danish page to be very funny and true. Do not get me wrong, I think DK is a nice country but man Danish people think too highly of themselves and thier country.
It is so true what you wrote about the Danish products and I am so tired of hearing Danish people say "thats Danish or a Danish person did this or that". I have reached the point when someone says those things to me I just respond by saying "well thats American and an American did this or that". It usally brings them back down to earth. Anyway it is all good and there is no perfect country. We all should realize (US) or realise (UK) that different is not wrong.

9. Date: 2002-06-28, From: Crotus
Nationality: French, Living in: Denmark
Opinion: Entertaining, Interesting, Insulting.
Page commented: The French page.
Hi ! Congratulations on your site. Nevertheless, some comments are not true and are sometimes insulting. Concerning the french texts :
- No that's wrong : french people take showers & use soaps as much as in every other western country.
cya !

8. Date: 2002-06-02, From: superdave
Nationality: English, Living in: France
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining, Interesting.
Page commented: The British, French pages.
my my, don't people get upset! you write some amusing views on a few europeans, and the replies i have just read are astounding:
the frenchman jean-peter-david responding in typical dog-related speak (as your page explained). for your information jean-peter-david, french is a simple language, easily learnt, with very few words, most french words having 5 meaning to make up for the simplicity of the language.
but most importantly of all: why don't you just calm down?! this website is amusing, light hearted, and full of truths about all our nations.
so much for the european union. these reader comments just say it all about the supposed integration and harmony of our european brothers and sisters.

7. Date: 2002-03-05, From: Stevie Dee
Nationality: ENGLISH - NOT BRITISH, Living in: ENGLAND YOU FOOL
Opinion: Funny, Entertaining.
Page commented: The British page.
I would just like to point out that Britian is just like Europe. Why is it that Scottish people call themselves Scottish, Welsh people call themselves Welsh and likewise with the Irish. But an Englishman is expected to call himself British. I may live in Britain but I am an English man NOT BLOODY BRITISH. The Rule Brittania should have been called Rule Englandier. For all non english brits let me point something out to you. The Bagpipes were invented in Yorkshire Haggis was originally invented in England as was whisky and kilts. So all you non english Brits. Get Stuffed. Other than the fact that we are refered to as Brits, I found the site rather humourous.

Author's comment: If it's sometimes difficult for non-British/non-English/non-Welsh/non-Scottish/non-Northern Irish to figure out when to use which term, it's worth noticing that while Scotland now has it's own parliament and Wales and Northern Ireland have each their brand of local government, England is still ruled by the British parliament, and that there's no English parliament. England is in fact the only part of the Union (not the European one) that is not governing itself. Rule Britannia (not "Brittania" - teach the English to spell...) is quite fitting, as the British are ruling over England.

6. Date: 2002-02-27, From: anonymous
Nationality: Danish, Living in: USA
Sad to say that you are actually very right about some of your points :-)

5. Date: 2001-12-14, From: Jean-Peter-David
Nationality: French, what do you think!, Living in: FRANCE, are you deaf ?
Opinion: Insulting.
Page commented: La French page.
Hi roast-beef
French is a complicated language, so that people like you will never be able to speak it. If you do speak it, you don't deserve to.
My dog would be happy to insult you, but well, French dogs can't write. If you have a dog, bring it to mine, he'll be happy to beat the shit out of it.
By the way, have you ever been to France ?
With all my disrespect,
Jean-Peter-David

4. Date: 2001-12-14, From: VCD
Nationality: American, Living in: France
Opinion: Funny. Entertaining.
Re: your France section Some of the comments are cute, and the typical things you'd expect to hear about France, such as no notion of customer service, lots of red tape, a police force that's assigned to do everything else besides fight crime. But a lot of the things you mention are just inconveniences you'd have to put up with just about everywhere. Fruit stand vendors are never waiting with open arms to accept rotten vegetables. And as for the mailboxes, there is a practical reason for the slots not being larger than they are: otherwise people would put all sorts of unwanted goodies/bombs in there, mail sorting reasons, etc
Sincerely,
reader.

3. Date: 2001-12-03, From: Jeff Briggs
Nationality: British, Living in: ENGLAND - and proud of it!
Opinion: Not funny. Boring. Insulting. Not useful.
Absolute Bollocks - Just in case you don't understand, that is Danish for Absolute Bollocks.

2. Date: 2001-02-28, From: Mark Chamberlain
Finn,
I enjoyed your article on France and the French. I live in the Alsace region, and even with the Germanic influence their customer service is terrible.
You touch briefly on the French attitude to BSE. I have just returned from trying to donate blood - it was refused on the grounds that I lived in the UK for more than one year between 1980 and 1987. No mention was made of the fact that they had accepted my three previous donations. Nor that I might be a vegetarian or non red meat eater.
Best regards,
Mark

1. Date: 2000-10-30, From: maite CHAMPAGNE
I just thought that I would take a second to comment you on such an insightful and accurate picture of the French!
I enjoyed reading it and now understand the rules of the pedestrian crossing!
After two months living here I was beginning to think I was imagining it!!!

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