whinds wrote:
> In article <[email protected]>, Robert
> <[email protected]> writes:
>
>
>>/Robert, living in and enjoying Sweden (a subsidiary of Eurotardia)
>>p.s. As far as Lance's reception this side of the pond is concerned,
>>many of us over here are impressed by him being one of the few Americans
>>who have taken the trouble to learn enough of a European language, to
>>give credible and informative interviews to French and Belgian media.
>>More U.S. athletes should follow his example.
>>
>
>
> Why? Most Eurotardians speak better English than we-uns. I do speak a little
> Canadian tho.
The point is that many French get offended when an anglophone enters
their country and just assumes that everyone will start speaking English
to him/her.
This, especially in a time where the USA is perceived by many as
flaunting its military might worldwide, where the anti-USA sentiment is
high in France due to US boycotting French goods because France refused
to give buy-in on Bush's Iraq war). And the best TdF rider is from Texas
.. . . LA would've been pouring salt into inflamed wounds had he insisted
on answering all journos' questions in _English_. His willingness to
interview in French shows he has some political awareness, empathy, and
respect. His French ain't great but if you're a many-time winner of
France's premier sporting event, it doesn't have to be. It's the gesture
that counts - and is appreciated.
/Robert