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Post by joan1 on Jun 1, 2007 1:13:48 GMT -5
Now, this is not a slam on Americans in Paris in general, as I am sure anyone on this board who saw this show would be cringing in embarrassment also,, but I just saw the ugliest Americans in Paris,, ever.
I was about to turn off the tv my boys had left on,, they had been watching this channel that has all kind of "build a house, fix a car, invent a tool" type shows... "Monster Garage " etc.
What was on caught my eye,, it was FRANCE!! Oh joy, I sit down to watch,, what turns out to be an episode of a show called " American Chopper" which is about a bunch of men who own , fix , build "choppers" ( a motorcycle, Harleys I think, I have no idea)
They were in Normandy at the D Day beaches,, I just caught them leaving a cementary to go to lunch.. They were so rude, mocking the language" hey this menu is only " frenchy" where is the english" .. playing dumb with the patient waitress. Finally saying " just bring us some food" .. So of course,, since this is t.v. land, and they want to make a show mocking France,, the waitress brings them snails and frog legs,, which they say stink, taste like dirt,, are like slugs under logs... are nasty,, they hold the frog legs up and make rude remarks,, it goes on and on,, so painful to watch...
Then ,, next day, they spend in Paris,, as a private guide takes them up the Eiffel Tower,, explaining the size and engineering feat,, one fellow retorts " the Empire State Building is better" the guide pretends not to notice that he is being interupted and mocked,, ONE of the fellow concedes it is amazing metal work, which he knows, as he does metal work,, the others just go on,, YELLING " bonjour and qui qui" indiscriminately as they ride their motor scooters through the streets of Paris( which is stinky they say) .. screaming at passer bys,, awful to watch.
As they look over Paris one fellow actually says" Paris is amazing city, even in its stinkyness" .. UGH UGH UGH,, they were so horrid, it like a cartoon of how not to act, talk , and behave,, and of course they made it very clear to anyone they dealt with that they were " American" which I can only imagine the bulk of Americans may want to take a contract out on them,,
It makes me sick to think , that although most people are NOT like them, you have to know they do have a following here ( North America) of what I can only assume are redneck , grease balls of slime ,, just like THEM!! Laughing and mocking ,, oh, will my eyes ever be clean again!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by GitteK on Jun 1, 2007 1:27:59 GMT -5
joan1
I understand you - such behaviour does so much damage to the already dubious reputation which some Americans abroad have managed to inflict on a whole nation ! We must hope that this program (which is also shown in Europe, on Discovery Channel - my boy used to love it) is not very popular in France !!!
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Post by joan1 on Jun 1, 2007 2:09:19 GMT -5
It is such a shame Gitte, as all the Americans I have " met' through these boards are definately NOT like these clods, yet,, they put a show on t.v. that is so detrimental to the average normal Americans image abroad,, it is no wonder some Americans wonder what their reception may be in certain foriegn countries,,as I said, if I was American I would be furious.. but, I guess there is an old saying that applies here : " consider the source" , meaning, talking to a clod like this to get their impressions of a city like Paris would be like going to Alaskan and asking an Eskimo their opinion on the best surfing beaches. LOL
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 1, 2007 3:50:11 GMT -5
Funny, but one of the gay bars (NOT a biker/leather bar) in Paris runs that series on its video screen with a French voiceover during happy hour!
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 1, 2007 5:12:36 GMT -5
Well, thank God, I can honestly say that after living in the USA all of my life, I don't regularly run into any one even remotely resembling those American Chopper idiots!
:-[It makes me cringe to think about that show, but I hope that people would realize that they are not what makes up 99% of the American population!
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Post by holger on Jun 1, 2007 7:00:20 GMT -5
 Have never seen the show and had no intentions of doing so. However, some of my students do watch it. Supposedly, it is a tongue in cheek slap at the Americans portrayed. Anti-redneck, anti biker, etc. The trouble with playing with stereotypes is that outside the U.S. other people may assume that the show is realistic and not recognize the underlying sarcasm. 
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Post by Ray(aka) tripnebraska on Jun 1, 2007 8:25:40 GMT -5
You can be sure that the followers of the American Chopper show, do not have France on their travel list.
Their fans are more the beer guzzling, wet T shirt contest watchers. The program once again shows that in the U.S.A. intellect is not a requirement of fame.
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dep0515
Full Member
Next time I'm hiding in your suitcase.
Posts: 205
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Post by dep0515 on Jun 1, 2007 8:31:04 GMT -5
Couldn't agree with you more, Ray. It's a shame that Parisians may think that's what all Americans are like.  What an embarrassment. |
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 1, 2007 8:34:17 GMT -5
Hmmm................. another dumb TV program. I still can't get over "The simple Life", where those two spoiled brats travel all over the U.S. Over the past few years they keep coming up with new ridiculous ideas for reality shows, each one crazier than the other.  |
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Post by amy321 on Jun 1, 2007 9:50:28 GMT -5
I hardly watch TV at all any more: never seen American Idol, Survivor and whatever else they're showing these days--I don't know the names because I don't even pay attention. I do like the travel channel, when they're not showing poker. The Passport to Europe series with Samantha Brown always whets my travel appetite!
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Post by sistereurope on Jun 1, 2007 9:59:21 GMT -5
I hardly EVER watch TV either...just netflix (although occasionally I'll catch the Food Network or one of those home decorating channels if I'm alone!). They lost me a long time ago, but I especially lost interest in all the reality shows.
So I've never seen the show mentioned - but I hate to say that I don't think they're doing that to be sarcastic. Unfortunately there ARE people here who truly believe the things said in that show...the producers are just pandering to them. How embarrassing fro the rest of us, and SAD! I am cringing Joan - I hate the thought that that image of Americans is being broadcast around the world!! Yuck!
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Post by joan1 on Jun 1, 2007 16:29:54 GMT -5
Well SisterEurope, I agree with you, I have seen this show before ( my boys do watch it sometimes) and they are not pretending to be ignorant rednecks, they actually are,, but I agree producers are playing it up to appeal to their target market, and I doublt their target market is flocking to France to holidays. I just feel bad for the majority of decent, polite, and open minded Americans( and all english speaking tourists in general) who do cringe when seen themselves represented in such a way.
As for tv, I love Masterpiece Thearte( especially things like the last remake of Jane Eyre!) and I loved watching the Amazing Race( where they race around the world, although they never get to spend more then a day or two anywhere!) .
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 2, 2007 1:42:25 GMT -5
Here's a cute anecdote regarding TV: Here in Israel we have a program called "Nolad Lirkod", which is similar to the American "So You Think You Can Dance". Well, one day my hubby, who had never seen that show or any other one like it, just happened to pass by the TV when one of the judges .......the one who has a reputation for being the most insulting one.......was telling the contestant exactly what he thought of his dancing. My hubby was shocked  to hear how nasty that judge was, and even though I had no intention of defending him , I simply explained that people were used to his style and it was part of the show. Anyway, several days later we were in a restaurant with my son and future daughter in law, and I asked H. if she had seen the last "Nolad Lirkod" show. As soon as I mentioned it, my hubby got started on how rude and disgusting that judge was and that he had no right to be on TV, etc. etc. etc. That conversation continued for quite a while. Well, to make a long story short, just as we were paying our bill, we happened to get a look at the guy sitting at the table VERY CLOSE to ours (he had had his back to us before then), and it was none other than David Dvir........yup, that nasty judge. He definitely had heard our conversation, and the funny thing is that he had probably thought that we'd been talking about him because we had recognized him, which simply was not true. Just a sheer coincidence. Now I don't know if it's my imagination or not, but ever since that day David Dvir has become a bit nicer and less insulting on TV. ;D |
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 2, 2007 4:37:15 GMT -5
Shoesy, you must thank your husband for helping to restore some dignity to the television industry!
I have to agree with joan1 that the Amazing Race is a fun show to watch. We also like the Anthony Bourdain travel shows.
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 2, 2007 5:24:57 GMT -5
Let me tell you, goldenmama, he was very proud of himself. He didn't feel embarrassed at all.
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 2, 2007 6:12:38 GMT -5
I hate those awful judges on those "reality" shows. I think it makes people feel okay about acting badly. I realize it's part of the show's "charm" but I think it reduces society a bit. I, too, love Masterpiece Theatre, actually all of PBS for that matter. It's about all I turn the TV on for these day. Certainly not the dreck on network TV. (Aren't we all a bit above things ;D ~feeling quite superior to the masses~)
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 2, 2007 6:18:08 GMT -5
Yes, happygoin - We Paris lovers are truly elite. ;D ;D ;D
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Post by trechic on Jun 2, 2007 7:20:44 GMT -5
It is really a sad commentary, isn't it?? We, Americans have lost so much of what we used to be proud of. As for the loud, rude types - even here I am embarrassed by them, especially this time of year when the area where I live, is inundated with tourists, which don't get me wrong I love (it is what supports me afterall), but when I am in a store shopping, or in a restaurant and across the room or store you hear this loud NY accent (for instance, and I am a born and bred NYer) I just get so angry!! Why, why, why?  |
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Post by susanb on Jun 3, 2007 3:24:48 GMT -5
joan1; I saw that episode to with my mouth wide open. I thought that they were RUDE to the waitreess, picking up the frogs and throwing them at each other. Things went from bad to worse. I'm just happy that they were at least in control of themselves when they folded the American Flag. I was horrified and couldn't watch any more. This is how Americans get their bad names.
S
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Post by joan1 on Jun 3, 2007 3:55:50 GMT -5
Isn't it sad Susan, it is how SOME Americans give Americans a bad name,, but, to be fair, there are so many much nicer Americans travelling now, that hopefully these rotten types will not do too much damage.
There really is an excellant class of people on this board, even if I do say so myself! ;D
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What an embarrassment.
to hear how nasty that judge was, and even though I had no intention of defending him , I simply explained that people were used to his style and it was part of the show. 
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha