[Wm Kalani]

Can I get your feedback on current sentiment in the U.S. towards the French and doing business with them? I haven't been stateside in over a year and am a bit out of touch. This time last year, the papers on both sides of the Atlantic were ringing with stories about the economic impact from the lack of American tourists and the unofficial boycott on French products. This year, at least over here, no one seems to be talking about it.

[insomnia]

Well, I'm not sure how things are now, but the last I remember was that they were trying to make 'Freedom Fries' and official name. I'm pretty sure its forgotten now

[Karen]

Last year would have been a great time to pick up stock in a French wine company!

I think, as with all things, tempers cool down and things return to normal. It is just too bad that the maturity level of the parties involed shone brightly during this exchange. Everyone can be immature at time (hell, I am the poster child) but I would have expected more from the leader of a country.

Karen

[Wm Kalani]

5 poll results so far and they indicate tensions have died down or have been forgotten.

[Praetor]

Not sure about south of the border, but, personally, I think it's growing. But that's just because I live in Quebec. If you wonder why, check out my rant in the General Business forum.

[dpakman91]

i think the entire premise of "boycotting" france's products is absolutely preposterous.

if we are going to boycott countries we don't agree with, then how about boycotting the oil we get from iraq?

absolute nonsense if you ask me.

[ericesquire]

Well we can live without french imports and not think twice about it - but with oil, it's a sticky situation that has to be dealt with carefully...without their oil we may run into supply issues.

Without French Fries, we have Freedom Fries

[dpakman91]

Originally posted by ericesquire
Well we can live without french imports and not think twice about it - but with oil, it's a sticky situation that has to be dealt with carefully...without their oil we may run into supply issues.

Without French Fries, we have Freedom Fries

that's my point, we "boycott" (which obvioulsy had no effect on france as such a small percentage of people decided to go ahead with it) based not really on what countries we are "against" or in conflict with, but rather just the ones that we believe we can conveniently live without.

if it were THAT important to take a stand against a certain country, you'd think they would boycott regardless of how much the US wants their products.

it's just so funny, take a stand for what you believe in if it's convenient, otehrwise, just keep giving money to the "enemy."

[Wm Kalani]

which obvioulsy had no effect on france as such a small percentage of people decided to go ahead with it

I too, do not believe in boycotts and would love to see a return to some sort of normality in relations. However, I must politely beg to differ on the point that the boycott has had no effect.

French tourism suffered from a 30-80 percent decline in American visitors last year, (hence the French ad campaign last summer with Woody Allen), and a number of French companies operating in the U.S. have adjusted their marketing strategies this year to hedge against continued losses re: Danone. The disparity between 30% and 80% represents the official government tally and that of the tourism, hospitality, and related business/industry.

That was last years info. This year, no hard numbers yet. But, I can tell you from personal experience that you will be hard pressed to find an American tourist in Paris.