As part of their new Megane campaign, Renault has undertaken
extensive research into the state of relations between Britain and France.
Despite
France being one of the most popular destinations for British holidaymakers and
there being 29 French footballers in the English Premiership and even our
Leaders playing tennis together, the results suggest that the two nations seem no closer to
understanding one another than during the Hundred Years War.
When asked
to select images that best represent Britain, French interviewees chose a slice
of processed cheese and a plastic bag caught in a tree. Over half the
French surveyed also associate the British with flat caps and tea. In contrast,
to depict themselves, 90% of the French selected a platter of delicious cheese
and 63% a glass of champagne.
When
quizzed on things they thought the Brits were no good at; the French came up
with a short but damning list: cooking, love, eating (too much), dressing,
speaking French and ‘everything’. Brits were more reserved with a fifth
claiming not to be able to give a single French failing and appearing to reach
for shortcomings such as ‘getting anything done in August’.
Psychologist Dr Linda Papadopoulos said, “Cultural idiosyncrasies are what we often use to draw conclusions about the collective personality of a nation. In the case of the French and English, who have such a long standing historical connection both politically and socially, these stereotypes are bound to be both exaggerated and used to banter with."
However, one thing both Brits and the French can agree on is that 22yr old Bordeaux Midfielder Yoann Gourcuff (pictured above) certainly should consider losing his shorts more often.
Moi aussi!
