What is the general feeling towards Lebanese people living in France by French people?

Question

I know a large Lebanese population, mostly Christian, lives in France. I know Paris has a diverse population from many countries. My family, who are of Lebanese descent, went to France last year for vacation. I heard the Lebanese, and all foreign groups, are hated by the French natives and asked them. They told me no, that since the French have had close ties to Lebanon for centurys dating back to protecting Lebanon's Christians, they didn't mind us, but had really had a thing against Moroccans.

So, what I want to know is what is the French attitude against Lebanese? Do you guys like us, hate us, like the Christians, hate the Muslims, like the Muslims, hate the Christians?

Answer 1

What's this ? I'm french and I don't understand the reasons of this question ! Why we have this representation in foreigne countries ? We don't hate other people. A minority of french people is racist, and don't want other nationalities. But other people (the largest part of french people) live without problems with foreign people. And we can live together.

Now with lebanese population. The french government had nice relationships with lebanese's one. And now, it's quite the same. Perhaps less strong, but it's still good relationships.

And the population doesn't exlude lebanese population...

French people are not monsters !

Answer 2

french people don't hate lebanese, don't hate everybody, they don't know them, they don't know their culture. and when when french people don't know something they don't care about it.....

it's the same in us, americans hate black skin people, they hate latinos, they hate muslim ....

is it gossip ??? !!!

Answer 3

U can't say french people hate everyone, that's mean, and unjustified. Can you just EXPLAIN why u'r sayin' that?

Im french and am just tired of what americans can say on french, without knowing France at all... I lived in the US last semester, n I figured out many americans were like mad at me just bcuz I was french...

But , thats fine, i just got used to that

And for the lebanese people, we can't deny there is a lot of racism going on in France right now...

But, if you want my opinion, I've had two very good lebanese friends for some years, n they just made me love Lebanon, and Lenanese people...

Answer 4

Most of them wouldn't know what to answer just because they don't know much about Lebanon and don't think about it. So they have no opinion on Lebanese people since they are not really exposed to them.

Those that know more usually have a highly positive opinion. I am French and have always loved and admired the Lebanese because they are modern, well-educated and cultured and I remember being amazed as a child during the war in Lebanon when in the news once they showed young Lebanese people partying in discos and enjoying life no matter what, despite the war and the bombings. I have therefore always kept the image of Lebanese people being positive and enthusiastic, I don't know if it is accurate or exaggerated but at least it has been my impression ever since.

France has the largest muslim population in Europe, mostly from North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia & Morocco) and as you may know there are some problems of integration and some issues as to the compatibility between islam and western values, but this doesn't express itself in hatred of either Arabs or muslims. There is only resentment against those that do not respect France while living in it and getting benefits from it and there is a legitimate fear of radical islam taking over in our country. I am one of those people who are highly critical of those that don't abide by our laws and values. Yet, and up this day, almost all of my best friends have been French Algerians. Even here in the States where I now live, all my French friends except for one are Arab. So just because a lot of French disapprove of the behaviour of some Arabs in France doesn't mean they hate Arabs as a whole, on the contrary. Even prejudiced people won't hate someone because of their origin, the French treat individuals based on their personal qualities and faults only.

Now the Lebanese population has nothing to do with those issues or people from the Maghreb. You can trust what your family said if they said they didn't feel hated. (Anything said about the French hating anyone is just stupid rumours spread by French-bashers because they have nothing better to do than spread their own hatred). It is also true that the ties between France and Lebanon have always been strong and so until recently: former President Chirac was known for being a close friend of President Hariri and he was deeply affected by his assassination. But I'm afraid that apart from apathy there is no general feeling for or against the Lebanese as the French cannot have an opinion on what they don't know or are not interested in. And the French are not really interested in other people/countries outside themselves, we are pretty self-centered, I am ashamed to admit it, but it's the truth. But if they meet a Lebanese person as an individual they will be curious and interested. All I can say is that Lebanese restaurants are very popular in France!

Answer 5

I don't really know. I have 2 friends and a relative who went to Paris. One of my friends and my relative says they're stuck-up and snooty. The other friend says that if you at least try to speak French you'll be okay.

Answer 6

I think French people hate everyone.

They're s****. socialists anyway.  What they think should have no importance to anyone.

EDIT

Hmm why would all the French people on yahoo answers fight what i said if they didn't hate me?  They hate America because we're capitalist, they hate Great Britain because Great Britain has beaten them in every war against them,  they hate America because we saved their sorry asses in TWO WORLD WARS.  TWO WORLD WARS!  Great Britain and America saved you from Hitler and you still can't thank us.  

And you still can't realize the failure of socialism and mad at us because American business is creaming socialist europe because you guys can't compete.. and forget about China!  

The French are very close minded socialists.  And you know what?  Sometimes the truth hurts.