being french today

To me, being French doesn't mean having Identity Card which says you have the french nationality but having the feeling of being french. You have to have the feeling of belonging to a great nation.A nation is not based on ethnic affiliation but on a common will-power to live together.French people are open-minded but, as it's an old nation the French are trifle chauvinistand they are a bit conservative whereas American people embrace progress modernity throught the melting-pot wich brings lots of different ideals. the French want to keep some principles alive such as:

 -Democracy. The French elect the members of the executive power and the legislative power (then separation of power).

 -Securalism. French's laws warrant liberty of consciouness and cult. the republic is sitting on the fence about religion: as these assert every cults are accepted, so at school, wearing a head-scarf should be allowed yet a law prevent it. 

-a welfare state.If you're French, you get such advantages as a free access to education(public schools)and a free access to Health(social Welfare.

-Indivisibility : a territorial unity can't be adjournment.There is no independent Corsican people.

If you're French, you have to respect french laws and not religious laws.The French toe the line because the law are very strict.

As a stereotype is a caricatural representation of a group of people, it can't be a beret or frog's legs.To me, the best sereotype of France seems to be the baguette because all the French have already eaten or will eat a baguette.

To me, being French also meanshaving some knowledges about France and speaking french.French wines and french cooking, which is acknowledge as one of the best in the world, are important facts of the French culture but you don't need to cook as well as french chef!