French Army: Adieu Le Clarion, Faire la Bise HK416???

[Kirk Freeman]

Well, the French Army is (potentially) getting rid of The Bugle (FAMAS) and moving on to the Heckler und Koch 416.

The Firearm Blog » French Army Choose H&K416 to replace FAMAS

 

[.45 Dave]

Is that because they are sturdier when dropped? Perhaps they are less likely to impede the raising of the arms during surrender? Maybe they come with a built in white flag gun rail?

 

[Sylvain]

Is that because they are sturdier when dropped? Perhaps they are less likely to impede the raising of the arms during surrender? Maybe they come with a built in white flag gun rail?

 

[.45 Dave]

Oh come on. That was funny.

 

[NYFelon]

I was going to post "ibSylvain" but decided against it as it added nothing to the discussion.

 

[Birds Away]

I have been to France many times. No matter how hard I would try to be polite and respectful I was always treated rudely. So I have no great love for the French people. Having said that it is a historical fact that the evacuation at Dunkirk would never have happened if a lot of brave French soldiers had not laid down their lives to protect that beachhead. How much that may have impacted the war is arguable at best. But you should not paint all French soldiers with one broad stroke of cowardice because it is untrue and unjust.
If we honor our dead at Normandy, then we should also honor the French dead at Dunkirk.

 

[Sylvain]

Nothing is decided yet, the logic would want that the weapon is built in France and not in a foreign country (like the actual FA-MAS and PA-MAS are).
A company based in Saint Etienne is proposing its own version of the AR15.
They are also talking about the F90 by Thales.
Too soon to know for sure.

 

[.45 Dave]

All right--just to set the record straight, there was no animosity meant in my remarks, just trying to be humorous. I have friends and acquaintances who are French and I speak French. I kid them all the time and they usually give back as good as they get. So lighten up, people.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

*ahem* I note that no one . . . looking at that no one . . . has mentioned my use of French.

 

[Sylvain]

I have been to France many times. No matter how hard I would try to be polite and respectful I was always treated rudely. So I have no great love for the French people. Having said that it is a historical fact that the evacuation at Dunkirk would never have happened if a lot of brave French soldiers had not laid down their lives to protect that beachhead. How much that may have impacted the war is arguable at best. But you should not paint all French soldiers with one broad stroke of cowardice because it is untrue and unjust.
If we honor our dead at Normandy, then we should also honor the French dead at Dunkirk.

Hey im French and im sometimes treated rudely too by Parisians.It depends where you go, you might be treated rudely in Paris but we love Americans in Normandy.
US flags all year around on our beaches and all.

 

[Sylvain]

*ahem* I note that no one . . . looking at that no one . . . has mentioned my use of French.

Maybe it's for the best Kirk.

 

[jayhawk]

I love how the dude got his feet in the shot of the HK.

 

[Birds Away]

Hey im French and im sometimes treated rudely too by Parisians.It depends where you go, you might be treated rudely in Paris but we love Americans in Normandy.
US flags all year around on our beaches and all.

Mostly I was on the south coast. There is no love for Americans there.

 

[theweakerbrother]

I'm treated rudely by everyone everywhere but it's usually due to my own poor attitude.

 

[Sylvain]

Mostly I was on the south coast. There is no love for Americans there.

Maybe they just didn't like you and it had nothing to do with the fact that you're American?

It also depends what language you speak, many tourists expect the locals to speak English to them and dont try to speak any French.
I think I would be treated the same if I tried to ask for directions in French in the US.

You should come to Normandy, it's like the 51st state here.

 

[Birds Away]

Maybe they just didn't like you and it had nothing to do with the fact that you're American?

It also depends what language you speak, many tourists expect the locals to speak English to them and dont try to speak any French.
I think I would be treated the same if I tried to ask for directions in French in the US.

You should come to Normandy, it's like the 51st state here.

Visiting Normandy is something I have always wanted to do. Alas, my days as a world traveller are now past.

 

[NYFelon]

Maybe they just didn't like you and it had nothing to do with the fact that you're American?

It also depends what language you speak, many tourists expect the locals to speak English to them and dont try to speak any French.
I think I would be treated the same if I tried to ask for directions in French in the US.

You should come to Normandy, it's like the 51st state here.

I think this is the height of rudeness. Especially considering our attitude about speaking English here at home. To go to another country and not even attempt to speak their language is a blatant insult on its' face. Many people in other places speak English, but it is an accommodation, not a necessity. I find that when you try and speak their language, they will return the favor by speaking to you in English. It's respectful to at least try and speak the native language, even if your accent is poor, and your conjugations lacking.

 

[Birds Away]

I think this is the height of rudeness. Especially considering our attitude about speaking English here at home. To go to another country and not even attempt to speak their language is a blatant insult on its' face. Many people in other places speak English, but it is an accommodation, not a necessity. I find that when you try and speak their language, they will return the favor by speaking to you in English. It's respectful to at least try and speak the native language, even if your accent is poor, and your conjugations lacking.

I certainly agree. However, an American Sailor will often visit Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain and occasionally Portugal in a six month cruise. My language skills were not up to the task. But I tried. The funny thing is that sometimes we would swing up to the UK and we couldn't understand them either.

 

[Sylvain]

I think this is the height of rudeness. Especially considering our attitude about speaking English here at home. To go to another country and not even attempt to speak their language is a blatant insult on its' face. Many people in other places speak English, but it is an accommodation, not a necessity. I find that when you try and speak their language, they will return the favor by speaking to you in English. It's respectful to at least try and speak the native language, even if your accent is poor, and your conjugations lacking.

Very true.

When im asked something in English in the street by a tourist I tell him/her either in French or in very broken English that I dont understand.
"Sorry me speak little English".

The other time a Gentleman from the UK asked my for direction in French, he's French was not good enough to understand my answer in French but was good enough for me to understand his question.So I answered him in English and he even said "thank you" in French after that.

Speaking a foreign language is part of the fun when you visit a foreign country.

 

[WWalker]

I think this is the height of rudeness. Especially considering our attitude about speaking English here at home. To go to another country and not even attempt to speak their language is a blatant insult on its' face. Many people in other places speak English, but it is an accommodation, not a necessity. I find that when you try and speak their language, they will return the favor by speaking to you in English. It's respectful to at least try and speak the native language, even if your accent is poor, and your conjugations lacking.

I wouldn't necessarily see that it would be an insult if you are just a tourist and visiting, on the other hand if you plan to live there than yes I believe you should learn the language.