Last week I watched the European Championships for Athletics on tv. I was surprised to see that the French TV transmitted the whole championships, which is unthinkable in Holland (where only football seems to count). There were portrets of French atletes, guests, interviews, all very nice. One of the guests was the Swedish Susanna Kallur who won a golden medal on 100m hurdles. She even spoke a few words in French, which made her even more popular with the presenters. Sunday, the last day of the event, she was asked again as guest in the studio. The presenter showed her a video of French atletes singing ABBA songs (even wearing wigs), and asked Susanna what she thought of it. She answered (in English): "The French better keep to French". There was a silence in the studio, for the translation had to be made. Then an "Oooh" sort of laugh. Bye bye Susanna.
One thing I learned here: the French do have humour, but they don't like jokes about themselves.
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