Do They Really Not Shave Their Armpits?

Ok, so now that I have caught your attention... :)

Tonight I went out to a yummy Italian restaurant for dinner with some girlfriends. Two of the ladies are French and the others mostly American. There has been an ongoing discussion about how the French view Americans and vice versa. Rachel, one of my fabulous new French friends, interviewed a bunch of French people and asked them to not think at all just give her the first word that comes to mind when they think about America or Americans. I wanted to share with y'all because some of the responses are hilarious.. some absolutely right on... and some make you wanna say "hmmm". I found it rather fascinating, as well. I was a little surprised to see how well they do know America. Although, it shouldn't be too surprising given how inundated the French are with American culture on TV and the radio.

We would like to interview our American friends and see what their responses are regarding France and/or the French.. again, not thinking too hard.. just first word that comes to mind be it positive or slightly less than positive. You will feel better about whatever may come to mind after you read some of the responses! :)

Please post your response as a "comment" on this blog post. Thanks so much for participating!

From the French on Americans:

Top 12 in order of most responses to least (these all received > 1 response):

Burger
Hollywood and Cinema
Obama
Liberalism
Statue of Liberty
War
New York
Cowboy
Uncle Sam
Dollar
Big Spaces
Bush and "Bush'isms"

Responses from just 1 person:

interventionism
Guantanamo
Mexican immigration
Porno (This one CRACKS me up because you can turn on television at 8pm and see things that would NEVER be shown on regular TV in the States.. not even mentioning the billboards here up in broad daylight)
Success story
Patriotic
Religious
Imperialist
American Football
Fat Obesity
Buildings
Biometric
Gangs
Google
Baseball
Empire State Building
Guns
Lafayette (Be honest, do you know how Lafayette played a part in US History? Don't feel bad, I was just very American and, not recalling exactly myself, googled it! http://xenophongroup.com/mcjoynt/lafy-4.htm)
Vietnam
Christopher Columbus
Union Jack
Yes we can! (This one is pretty right on.. it is even scripted on Bob the Builder)
Yellowstone
Blues
Abraham Lincoln
Neil Armstrong
Woody Allen
The freedom after WWII (La Liberation - The Liberation as it is called in France)
contradictory
marinated steak (Scratching my head at this one...)
"mani-pedi" - (Practically non-existent here.. I haven't had a mani-pedi in almost a year. SO SAD!)
"have a greeaatt dayyy!!" (Left out ... y'all!)
victoria's secret
cross-over (vehicles?)
Brooklyn
Loft
imbreeding (nice)

How many of you first thought "French Fries?" :) Thanks so much for joining in.

Oh, and after living here for almost a year, I don't know the answer to that title question yet (and not sure I really want to). Let me get to know my French friends a little better and maybe I will ask. :)

HAVE A GREEAATTT DAAYY Y'ALLL!