Yes, those who have fought beside them know perfectly well that the French are not cowards. I was speaking rather about a generally ignorant attitude that one hears from some people whose opinions are not based on their own experience, but on superficial gossip and hearsay that they've picked up somewhere. Let's ask Sarah Palin about the French and see what she says. ;-)

When it comes to naval history, the British more often were the victors in the almost interminable series of wars between France and England, but now and then the French bested them....as did the Dutch, on occasion. (The USA also had some spectacular small action victories over British ships....as in the case of the frigate Constitution defeating the British frigate Guerriere and another British frigate whose name I don't recall. These were pinpricks to the dominant Royal Navy of the time, had little effect on the overall naval war situation in the War of 1812....but they certainly did embarass the British Navy...and gave the USA something to celebrate for the next century and then some.)