Good news about a French visitor

[Maverick]

Outstanding action on the part of a visiting French tourist saving the life of a baby that fell off of a passing boat. Well done, and dude you do qualify for the hero moniker. Placing the welfare of others before self and at the risk of self, Hell yeah hero!

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/04/07/2010-04-07_tour_of_duty_tot_rescue_wasnt_on_brave_frenchmans_nyc_vacation_itinerary.html

[mensa180]

WAY TO GO!

[Masherbrum]

An excellent story.   

[SFRT - Frenchy]

In France we don't use the word "hero" the same way, that's probably why. A cop, a firefighter, a soldier who died in action is not a hero, he's a guy doing his job. A hero would be someone doing something superhuman to accomplish a deed, which jumping in the water to save a todler would not qualify for.

Not trying to dismiss his actions, just explaining why he might not see himself as a hero.

[bagrat]

so would he be a "hero" if he tore a tree out of the ground and used it as a flotation device while saving the baby, then lept 50 yards to safety. 

[Maverick]

Frenchy,

Talk to any recipient of the Medal of Honor and they will say the same thing, that they are not hero's. I beg to differ, as their actions say otherwise.

[SFRT - Frenchy]

Bagrat 

Not really the right example there Maverick. Off course if you take 3 bullets in the head and still walk toward the bad guy and strangle him to death while kicking his dog with your right leg, u qualify as a hero. You do not qualify as a hero if you are a firefighter and died crushed to death by the WTC.

Don't shoot the messenger, I'm explaining the difference in wording between two cultures.

[ebfd11]

Any man or woman who sacrafices his life or puts their life on the line for spmeone else and loses it doing that job in my opinion is a "HERO".

But like you said if its their job then they don't classify themselves as a hero.

The word hero exemplifies what this gentleman did and he desrves the title, due to the fact he put his life in jepordy to save someone else with no questions asked.

So IMO he is a hero and there isn't nothing that can change my opinion.


And to rebutt your classification of the firefighters,police officers and port athority police officer in NY, tell their next of kin they are not heros.

[Masherbrum]

Any man or woman who sacrafices his life or puts their life on the line for spmeone else and loses it doing that job in my opinion is a "HERO".

But like you said if its their job then they don't classify themselves as a hero.

The word hero exemplifies what this gentleman did and he desrves the title, due to the fact he put his life in jepordy to save someone else with no questions asked.

So IMO he is a hero and there isn't nothing that can change my opinion.


And to rebutt your classification of the firefighters,police officers and port athority police officer in NY, tell their next of kin they are not heros.

You're missing his point.   I got it and I know that to be true of most Europeans.   A couple of you are reading more into it/this than you should or should have.  

[MORAY37]

You're missing his point.   I got it and I know that to be true of most Europeans.   A couple of you are reading more into it/this than you should or should have.  

[Angus]

So, what is a "hero" then? In the French term as well?

[Masherbrum]

So, what is a "hero" then? In the French term as well?

My grandpa who served 3 years in WWII said it best.  "I'm not a hero, the heroes never came back home."   

[Maverick]

Frenchy,

I get the distinction you are making but I will also disagree with it. It may be a cultural thing but it's not my culture that you were describing. I prefer my culture thanks.

[MORAY37]

Frenchy,

I get the distinction you are making but I will also disagree with it. It may be a cultural thing but it's not my culture that you were describing. I prefer my culture thanks.

American Culture.  Seriously.  Googled it.    First page... fourth item.