How to recognize nationalities through clothes?

Euh... the unpleasant description of the Frenchman above. I can't look at it again, it is too painful.

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Perhaps this is a more typical Frenchman, Citoyenne:

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(Fabienne @ 19 Dec. 2004, 06:45) Euh... the unpleasant description of the Frenchman above. Â I can't look at it again, it is too painful.
Perhaps this is a more typical Frenchman, Citoyenne:
How about this: http://216.71.104.94/d-commerce/product337.html

Nice one Centurion

Euh... the unpleasant description of the Frenchman above.  I can't look at it again, it is too painful.

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I probrably have a warmer feelign for the french than most americans, but let me tell you this little story - a few years ago I rode for a week with a french sales manager who sold my products. 5 working days. his wardrobe for this was 2 shirts, 1 pair of pants and 2 jackets. he smoked heavily and we ate very well during this week. I honestly don't believe that he took a shower during this week. he was a great guy, and he was good at what he did, and he treated me nicly, but I was happy to get some fresh air by the end of the week. and this was a well educated, upper middle class frenchman.


by the way, I am intending to contribute heavliy to this thread, but I am a little tied up with my family.

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(Fabienne @ 19 Dec. 2004, 06:45) Euh... the unpleasant description of the Frenchman above. Â I can't look at it again, it is too painful.
Perhaps this is a more typical Frenchman, Citoyenne:
How did you guess I hadn't become an American citizen? The picture: looks like theater play garb. As for the other Frenchman outfit, at least you have the "instant French girl" to console yourself. Wait, it is sold out. Sorry guys.

Fabienne - the picture is from the original film of 'The Scarlet Pimpernel', and is of Raymond Massey playing the part of Citizen Chauvelin, ambassador to England of Robespierre's France.

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(maxnharry @ 18 Dec. 2004, 10:01) Not all of us...U.S. Navy Officer with 100% Wool bespoke uniforms.
Splendid. I am sure they look much better than the issue variety. Gieves still make the Nelson-style boatcloaks, if you have a couple of thousand pounds to spare. Nonk - how well I remember the twenty-minuters.
I thought Nelson didn't need a boatcloak since he kept warm with his zeal for king and country... Jon.

I thought Nelson didn't need a boatcloak since he kept warm with his zeal for king and country...

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Nelson was an example to all true Englishmen (as was Wellington), and is celebrated annually in RN Wardrooms on Trafalgar Night, the most important function of the year. The room is hung with French tricolours, representing the colours struck by the French admirals when they surrendered. A speech is given to the Immortal Memory of Nelson. I have been to a few, and they are superb occasions.

Next year we will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Alas. our hopelessly politically correct lefty government have invited the French Navy to take part, demonstrating more than they already have how little they understand the military. I wonder if, at some point, Nelson's famous last signal to the Fleet will break from the British flagship's peak - 'Enagage The Enemy More Closely'....

It does get a bit jumbled, in this "united" Europe of ours, where everyone was at war with their neighbor at one time or another. Â I was once scheduling, in person, a subsequent meeting with a German, and twice had to decline because these were days when we were celebrating a victory other them. He didn't realize it right away, finally asked why these days were holidays, and I had to answer. Â Not a very comfortable moment. Â I communicate with Europeans on a daily basis, and thank goodness, when they first learn I am French, they are typically pleased and interested. Â If we are talking French revolution era, then I prefer the Julien de St Preux style: http://www.ecranlarge.com/jaquette-261.php But really, ViroBono, aren't you pleased you guys lost the battle of Hastings? Â Your dictionary would be about half the size it is now, if you hadn't.

But really, ViroBono, aren't you pleased you guys lost the battle of Hastings? Your dictionary would be about half the size it is now, if you hadn't.

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One side of my family is descended from the Normans who invaded in 1066, which was the last time Britain was invaded. I think we made up for losing later - several times, in fact, though we are all in the EU now and apparently friends.

I would not wish you to think I dislike France - I've been there many times and rather like it, though I prefer the country to the cities. If I could find a downloadable MP3 of the Marche Lorraine played by a military band I'd like it more - I've got a few bits of French military music but I've been after this track for ages.

I was interested to see the Black Tulip. I wonder if one of the reasons England and France traditionally mistrust each other is because we still believe in the monarchy, whilst the French seem to believe strongly in the tenets of the revolution. Had I been around in those days I could only have been on one side - Vive les aristos.

You have French ancestors, and I have a few drops of highly diluted blue blood and a castle to look at in pictures (sold by my great-grand-mother after the war). We're even. I found this, but you'd have to order the CD: http://www.fnac.com/Shelf....e9&Fr=3 If you scroll down, it gives details. It's all in French, so if anything isn't clear, don't hesitate to ask me.

 If I could find a downloadable MP3 of the Marche Lorraine played by a military band I'd like it more - I've got a few bits of French military music but I've been after this track for ages.

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Not a military band, but a wonderful perfomrance of this grand march. In the box entitled "Shop Our Catalog", type in the number, 2701682. Â The Gannes march can be found in the the 3 CD box set. Marche Lorraine

Thanks to both of you. I am keen on military music (I've marched to it often enough.), and French bands have a unique sound. Fred Zinneman's film Day of The Jackal (1973, not the Bruce Willis travesty) has some good examples towards the end.

I have now ordered the CD from the French site, and it was remarkably easy, despite my schoolboy French.

Viro, apropos of your wicked, utterly merciless (and quite correct) swipe at my nation's military uniforms, I found this on ebay the other day: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws....36&rd=1 A Gieves Ltd. bespoke Royal Navy uniform coat, apparently from the 1930s. Take a look at the stiching under the lapel. Wow. Almost makes one want to join the service ... but maybe watching "Master and Commander" on my big screen with the surround-sound blasting will be good enough.

Can anyone educate me about my country's uniforms? (past or present). This is probably going to hurt again.