Ever since the War of 1812, we have had the British as our allies and friends. We are still a little pissed about the redcoats burning Washington, but everybody has issues in their relationships. Now the French, despite Lafayette, are another story. We love their wines, movies, and style, but we just don't trust them. If the Brits are the cranky uncle who is there when you need him, the French are the wayward cousin who everybody hopes will eventually come to his senses and make something of himself. We don't tell the Brits how much we love them, because they would just blush and look uncomfortable. It's the French who need that sort of constant approval.