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Sandrine E- 04:13am Oct 12, 1998 (1.)
For both countries, money symbolizes different things. First,
it gives you power, allow you to buy what you want. Second, you
need to work to earn it; it is necessary to live. Third, many
think in the different changes : French especially think in euros
for example.
The word "Euro" is quoted four times on the left,
whereas "Dollar" is quoted five times and "green"
seven times on the right. For french people as for americans money
is first of all the money of the home country (excepted that Europe
doesn't exist yet, and it's funny to notice that it is hardly
spoken about Franc) On both sides, money is an important thing,
and it is necessary to have some, but french people are more sensitive
to the difference it creates, while Americans seem to be more
preoccupated by the excesses some people can do for money. For
american people, money seems to be the result of the work alone,
whereas french people seem to consider it as the result of a success.
Earning money in the US is therefore not shameful, while in France,
money seems to be dirtier. The categories that are involved on
both sides are : the material thing (notes, coins, color of the
notes) and (every-day) life. On the left the success category
is more used, on the right the work one is more activated.
Looking at the words that Americans associate with money versus
the words that the French associate with money, I notice that
Americans see a more negative connotation to money. The french
seem to think that money is important and is "necessary"
for survival, hence the words "necessary" and "job/work"
come up very often. However, Americans think that money is bad,
and think of greed and spending when they think of the word.
I wouldnt say that the American respones are overall more negative.
I think they are more polarized. The words luxury, green, wealth,
power, status, shopping are not negative. In my opinion, they
represent aspiration. People want all these things, and in America,
money is the one thing that will get it. I think the saying is
very true: Money does not make you happy. But the lack of it
makes you unhappy.
It seems like Americans are more concerned with where money
comes from and the "pros" of it, such as status, luxury,
power and wealth. Where French are more aware of the effects and
need for it.
The French and Americans think of money in completely different
ways. The French attitude is primarily neutral- money is necessary
for survival. Overall, money does not have either negative or
positive connotations. Americans, on the other hand, associate
money with evil and greed. They think of it only in excess amounts
and the bad that it can cause.
I think that our assocation with money is rather positive.
It is fun to dream of the luxuries that money can attain. It is
rather negative to think of money as a necessity, though I understand
that it is one. Also, the word 'green' appeared several times...
do you associate color, size,or designs with your bills? Do you
think of Haute Couture and art? What do you believe is the major
difference in your culture that causes you to associate money
the way that you do?
En reponse a Natalie, je pense que pour l'instant, nous n'associons
pas l'argent avec sa couleur, sa taille, ... En effet, nous sommes
dans une periode de transition monetaire donc devrions-nous nous
referer au Franc ou a l'Euro? Pour l'instant, c'est encore le
Franc qui s'impose et le changement n'en est qu'a ses debuts
The French and Americans view money in different perspectives.
In france, money is associated with necessity and capability.
In the U.S., money is adored. It is associated with power, greed,
conspiracy and therefore has a negative connotation.
would need to disagree with my colleagues that want to associate
money with negative images, money is not an asnwer, nor is it
the ultimate goal, its just a means of getting there. It's the
work or success that leads to the luxury or survivibilty, money
is just a middle ground, that puts a quantifier on the amout of
work/success you have done and how much you will get in return.