# Boycott French Products? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 14, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378 "2003-03-14T16:43:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/21 "2003-03-14T20:21:16Z")
He’s not against boycotts but the reason for the boycott. Exceedingly simple. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/22 "2003-03-14T20:23:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by X~Slayer(ALE) \* > **I dont get that. You dont think boycotting france as a statement is good but you will boycott those who will boycott france as a statement of your dispproval of them.** _shrugs_ They’re not mutually exclusive. I didn’t say I have a problem with boycotts at all. In fact, I practice them myself, and I feel that they’re a valid way to make a statement. However, I feel that a boycott of French products because the French government doesn’t agree with the U.S. government is just stupid and misguided. So I won’t be supporting those establishments if they implement such a thing. That OK with you? If you _still_ don’t get it, **oliversarmy** ’s post accurately reflects my own feelings about boycotts. Try that one. Thanks **Saen**! I knew I’d gotten a belly, but sheesh, you don’t need to call me a hippo… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![UnwrittenNocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6de8d8/32.png) [@UnwrittenNocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwrittenNocturne)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/23 "2003-03-14T20:37:32Z")
_thinks_ I do not use any French products I drink wine from New Zealand, Australia, California and Chile Cheese from New Zealand Nothing else much is imported that I use. That said, I do not wish to punish French producers for the failings of their government ---
**Author:** ![Alien2022](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19adc/32.png) [@Alien2022](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alien2022)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/24 "2003-03-14T20:56:19Z")
The world cannot afford to sever trade relations with the United States. Sure, it would ruin us, but we would take the whole world with us. France on the other hand, can be isolated, and the next time they come whimpering to us for help, or the UN, we’ll just stand by and say, “where were you in Iraq? Oh that’s right… guess we’re going to have to veto your resolution too. Shame isn’t it?” The French will get theirs, but now is not the time to be enacting stupid legislations like this. If we really want action against France, we should ban all French companies from participating in ALL reconstruction of Iraq, including the oil fields. Not only will this cause a large majority of French companies/corporations to distrust their government, but they will lose out big time when the oil fields of Iraq are finally tapped into, and distributed around the world. US oil companies will make out like rats, and the French would be left high and dry. If you want to affect change in a government, you don’t go for the government, you go for the people. If we alienate the French people, we will only hurt relations in the future, but if we hurt them in their pockets, they will take down Chirac. Boycotting is stupid. Changing French Fries to Freedom Fries, fine. If you think that it is helping the war effort, whatever. But please people, don’t boycott French products. Why aren’t Germany and Russia being threattened the same way? They aren’t being dealt with in such a manner because they owe us A TON. They may threaten vetoes, and I don’t doubt their resolution to use them, but if push comes to shove, they will abandon France to ensure their place in the reconstruction efforts. The whole issue here is economic. But please people… Ignorance and stupidity will be the end of anything remotely resembling peace. Don’t run off and committ cultural suicide by boycotting a nation because of it’s government. ---
**Author:** ![zuma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9c0ed/32.png) [@zuma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zuma)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/25 "2003-03-14T20:56:24Z")
This is democracy in action, and is very healthy, IMHO. If Americans are not satisfied with the French government, and wish to boycott their products, more power to them. If the French are dissatisfied with the American government, and wish to express their disagreements by boycotting American products, I’m not one to complain. This is just an extension of free, civilized political discourse. I for one will not begrudge an Amercan who disagrees with France to refuse to buy their products, or a French family from refusing to spend money on American products. Individual economic boycotts are not something to be ridiculed; they are an effective way of trying to bring about a change in national policy. ---
**Author:** ![Alien2022](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e19adc/32.png) [@Alien2022](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alien2022)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/26 "2003-03-14T20:59:00Z")
If anything we should be boycotting Bush… (I don’t know how that’s possible, but anyways…) ---
**Author:** ![Saen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Saen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/27 "2003-03-14T21:25:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Avalonian \* > \*\* > > However, I feel that a boycott of French products because the French government doesn’t agree with the U.S. government is just stupid and misguided. So I won’t be supporting those establishments if they implement such a thing. That OK with you? > \*\* “Doesn’t agree?” Damn, thats a pretty harsh assertion based upon their actions. I mean they only threaten to obstruct the US in what the governemtn _and most of the American people_ think is a vital matter of security and peace. Has it ever crossed your mind that they are being boycotted because the French government “doesn’t agree” with them specifically _and_ their government? Nah they are just sheep being led around by Bush and his minions. ---
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/28 "2003-03-14T21:33:48Z")
What we really need is a French Fry embargo! That’ll fix 'em. ---
**Author:** ![rexnervous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/29 "2003-03-14T21:39:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Saen \* > \*\*“Doesn’t agree?” Damn, thats a pretty harsh assertion based upon their actions. I mean they only threaten to obstruct the US in what the governemtn _and most of the American people_ think is a vital matter of security and peace. > \*\* The French are obstructing nothing. If it really is as vital as that, we’ll go in by ourselves. (we = U.S.) ---
**Author:** ![Saen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Saen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/30 "2003-03-14T21:53:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by rexnervous \* > \*\*The French are obstructing nothing. If it really is as vital as that, we’ll go in by ourselves. (we = U.S.) \*\* That is not what anyone wants though. They are obstructing. It is likely that the Brits will not be able to help us only because the French have sworn to veto. The support for Blair would be acceptable if he had a UN resolution. That is why they are working so hard for one. And one of the reasons we are waiting so long to go in, at the possible detriment to our troops. Whne the french totally reject any attempt made by the UK before Iraq does, that is obstructionsm. Everyone else is willing to at least consider it and vote or abstain. If _we_ had a UN resolution, just a peice of paper from the UN, then our support around the world would increase significantly. Your right though. they can;t stop us, but that doesn’t stop them from trying. ---
**Author:** ![clamshoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@clamshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clamshoe)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/31 "2003-03-14T22:01:57Z")
Saen is right. Couldn’t put it better. I personally won’t buy anything to do with the french but I was raised that way, having been born in the hellhole known as Montreal, Canada ---
**Author:** ![cookeze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@cookeze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cookeze)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/32 "2003-03-14T22:23:02Z")
Okay—no more French postcards for me. At least for the duration of hostilities. It’s gonna be a short war, right? ---
**Author:** ![DreadCthulhu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DreadCthulhu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DreadCthulhu)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/33 "2003-03-15T00:35:38Z")
Well, I won’t buy anything made in France for the duration of the war. Of course, I don’t think I have ever bought anything made in France anyways, so it really doesn’t matter. ---
**Author:** ![Avalonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@Avalonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avalonian)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/34 "2003-03-15T01:02:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Saen \* > \*\*Has it ever crossed your mind that they are being boycotted because the French government “doesn’t agree” with them specifically _and_ their government? Nah they are just sheep being led around by Bush and his minions. \*\* Impressive strawman here, **Saen**. I never mentioned Bush, his minions, or his sheep. I may disagree with your point, but try not to misrepresent mine, thanks. To answer you (somewhat snarky) question, of course the reasons for a boycott of the French have “crossed my mind.” In fact, I think I have a pretty good understanding of those reasons. I simply disagree with them. Unlike what **decmeber** may think, understanding someone’s reasons for something doesn’t necessarily mean agreement. I simply think that the current attitude toward everything French held by many is somewhat petty and snide, and has little to do with the real issue at hand. Any business who chooses to espouse this anti-French attitude in practice will simply not be seeing my business. I doubt it’ll hurt them much, but they can take their stance and I’ll take mine. 'Tis the American Way, _non_? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ace\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Ace\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace_Face)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/35 "2003-03-15T01:32:12Z")
If such a boycott ever became a real threat, there are quite a few of us (he he) who just might buy _more_ French products. If this “procott” (:dubious: ) spread worldwide, it would more than offset the boycotters. In any case, I suspect-- as has been eluded to – that most of the people in favor of the boycott don’t buy French products to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/36 "2003-03-15T02:46:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ace\_Face \* > \*\*In any case, I suspect-- as has been eluded to – that most of the people in favor of the boycott don’t buy French products to begin with. \*\* > [@](#): > > _from my previous post_ > **[sup]On a more serious note, I was planning to visit France this summer. I don’t know if I’m boycotting or afraid, but I’m not going.[/sup]** American tourism in France is already down, something like 20%. ---
**Author:** ![Ace\_Face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/858c86/32.png) [@Ace\_Face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace_Face)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/37 "2003-03-15T02:50:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by kniz \* > \*\*American tourism in France is already down, something like 20%. \*\* I suspect (as you indicate) that fear plays a huge part here. Not just fear of war but fear that they will get a hostile reaction from the French. (I wonder if French tourism to America is also down?) ---
**Author:** ![rexnervous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/38 "2003-03-15T03:16:43Z")
My wife’s spending all of July in Paris this summer. I plan on going over for a four-day weekend. The only reason either of us would change plans would be out of fear. My wife has expressed a little already. But not out of hostile reaction from the French - just of being a potential target. Otherwise, we’re going to go enjoy some French chocolate, restaurants, try to take in a stage of the Tour de France (or should I say ‘Tour de Freedom’? :rolleyes: ), ride around on the Paris metro, etc. Governments, policies, and politicians change over time. France v. U.S. is a (admittedly strong) disagreement between countries who have far more in common than not. Big Deal. Boycotting? IMHO, stupid. But have at it… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/39 "2003-03-15T03:44:52Z")
The stupid irony that compounds the stupid irony - like the cherry on top of turd sundae - is that the French government, which opposes our policy, is reflecting the wishes and opinions of its people. As a democracy should, no? We are negotiating with Turkey’s government so as to induce them to _ignore_ the wishes and opinions of its people. So that we can bring democracy to the Iraqi people. This is fucking to encourage chastity. The Forces of Darkness would have us believe that the world at large, the “community of nations” is really behind us on this, champing at the bit to kick some Saddamite butt. This does for bullshit what Stonehenge does for rocks. But not for the French, the UN would fall all over itself in expressing its solidarity, this line of “reasoning” goes. Suppose you see your best bud pour gasoline in his lap and reach for the matches. Is it disloyal to knock them from his hand? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2003, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378/40 "2003-03-15T06:04:36Z")
Yes, let’s boycott France for not wanting to start a war. Those bastards, trying to avoid the bombing and death and killing civilians and stuff. How dare they. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/boycott-french-products/161378.md?page=3)