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AIBU?

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Original poster

Why are Brits not like the French

167 replies

Worker29 · 01/12/2018 23:23

BBC News - France fuel protests: Tear gas fired in clashes in Paris
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-46411699
There are riots. About fuel taxes.
Brexit has caused no such demonstrations.
Why?

OP posts:
Childrenofthesun · 01/12/2018 23:25

Too much rain. It dampens the spirit of revolution.

That's a theory I once read anyway!

Davros · 01/12/2018 23:26

We had those in the 70s. We've moved on

BeardedMum · 01/12/2018 23:27

Busy watching the x factor

BikeRunSki · 01/12/2018 23:27

Apathy

shaftedbythesystem · 01/12/2018 23:31

Had this exact conversation with my mum earlier, we also concluded apathy! But there is a tendancy for the media to underreport peaceful demonstrations. There was a demo in London today, I have no clue what for though?

sonlypuppyfat · 01/12/2018 23:35

This reply has been deleted

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Dontsweatthelittlestuff · 01/12/2018 23:38

Over 250 arrested
Over 100 injured
Cars burnt out
Businesses burnt out
Houses set on fire

I think I will stick with apathy as no matter how right a cause is general rioting is not the answer.

ShinyMe · 01/12/2018 23:43

The French have been like that for a very long time - revolutions, barricades and riots... from the 1700s (probably before, my history isn't that great), 1968, and whenever anything upsets them. The British just aren't a revolutionary nation really. Any historical rebellions we've had have been pretty much crushed by authorities.

SwedishEdith · 01/12/2018 23:43

This reply has been deleted

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sonlypuppyfat · 02/12/2018 00:01

It's a quote from The Simpson, it's a joke

Maelstrop · 02/12/2018 00:18

The French (some, obviously not all) like nothing more than a riot/blockade. They're renowned for it. It seems to be a way of life for them. It's very frequent. The authorities' response is also always the same, send in the CRS, use water cannon/tear gas, go OTT.

A French friend of mine qualified as a teacher in the UK. On her return to France, she knew she'd have a problem finding work because the qualifications aren't recognised in France. She was greeted on her first morning on supply with a barricaded entrance to the school and parents with placards objecting to her 'lack' of qualifications.

hadenough · 02/12/2018 00:23

Well there is a simple difference.

The French are proud of their country (rightly so) and proud of their solidarity towards one another. They believe in a global community.

Contrast this with the English. They want a weaker economy, higher taxes, lower public spending (UK government figures, not mine) all to stop the freedom of movement, and EU migrants who contribute far more to the UK economy than they take out.

Patroclus · 02/12/2018 04:21

Our rulers moved toward democracy a lot more quickly than in other euro countries, its traditionally kept revolution away since the civil war. Same as in the Netherlands. Protestantism has a lot to do with it.

fuzzyduck1 · 02/12/2018 06:23

How does a conversation about fuel prices and the stupid way the French act to one about Brexit.?

All I can say is if you want to remain in the eu you’ve got 4 months to move to a eu county. Simple.

jemihap · 02/12/2018 06:49

It appears to be the 'squeezed middle' that are currently protesting in Paris.
In this country the same section of society are far too busy being compliant, obedient little debt slave worker drones... far too concerned about losing their PCP Audi, latest i phone and of course their hugely leveraged houses.

swingofthings · 02/12/2018 07:18

Protesting is a normal cultural concept in France but they don't protest as we do hear. Its a lot of noise and emotions but the end product is rarely more fruitful than what Brits do more privately.

The French moan a lot more than the Brits as a whole (yep hard to believe) but turn the page and move on to other things much quicker. In the end, their economy is not great, French people are as disillusioned with their own government if not more and certainly as frustrated with poor leadership. They protest more to let it all out than to hope for change.

Fifthtimelucky · 02/12/2018 07:36

It's not that long since the poll tax riots (1990).

And given the strength of the far right in French politics over many years, I'm not sure I'd agree with @hadenough about their belief in a global community.

speakout · 02/12/2018 07:39

I am guessing you are young OP

Booboostwo · 02/12/2018 07:41

Why would you want them to be? If you want to see the results of populist far right and far left political allegiances move to Greece now, no need to wait for the French to catch up.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/12/2018 07:43

How can there be violent protests against Brexit when the public were given the vote and more than 50% voted for it (who bothered to vote).

That is totally different to a protest against a government who have introduced a universally disliked policy within their country.

ivykaty44 · 02/12/2018 07:44

There were riots in London in 2011 & 5 people died

headstone · 02/12/2018 07:45

Hadenough your having a laugh surely, The french believing in a global community, very funny indeed.

headstone · 02/12/2018 07:46
  • you’re
ivykaty44 · 02/12/2018 07:47

@Worker29 what were are fuel protests about in 2001 and remember what happened then

LizzieSiddal · 02/12/2018 07:49

All I can say is if you want to remain in the eu you’ve got 4 months to move to a eu county. Simple.

You must know something the rest of the country, including the govt. don’t know. At the moment no one has a clue what the heck’s going to happen.