French President Nicolas Sarkozy Yells At Staff Before TV Appearance (VIDEO)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has become an internet sensation in France after this video of him snapping angrily at his staff while preparing for a television appearance went viral (from The Guardian):

Within 24 hours, almost 400,000 people had tuned in to watch the film of the French President as he snapped at staff at public TV channel France 3 before explaining how he intended to save the EU from implosion during his six-month presidency.

Clearly ruffled after just driving past staff protesting his plan to personally nominate public television's head, Mr Sarkozy hit out at a technician who failed to reply when he said "hello" when placing his microphone.

"It's a matter of upbringing," he told the man. "When you're a guest you have the right to expect a hello... Or we're not in the public service here, we are at a demonstration ... incredible... and serious..."

...Full of nervous ticks, the impatient president tapped his fingers and played with his Patek Philippe watch - a present from his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy - asking whether the studio clock is working.

The unedited pictures of Mr Sarkozy were clearly released by irate France 3 staff, although unions denied this.

Sarkozy en off sur France 3
by rue89

Comments

[keemia]

HuffPo has become one of the most sensationalist blogs out there. So rediculous!

[iblis]

While the rest of the world is moving to the right(Berlussconi, Merkel, Sarkozy, Britains labour which won the last 3 elections, is its most right wing ever!, the US is going to move to the left big time! Incredible!

[drec1500Madrid]

Are you serious...­the European right is the American left. The American right is something altogether different.­..sort of like Blade Runner or Robocop only with interment camps and waterboarding.

[oldwiseone]

What's wrong with moving to the left? The left is about people, the right is about business. Correct me if I am wrong. So what is wrong about being a nation of the people, by the people and for the people? I'm waiting...­.

[hudsuckerproxy]

If (as the article claims) Sarkozy has become an "internet sensation" in France because of this video evidence of his nervous ticks and impatient attitude, imagine the hysteria a genuine meltdown would provoke.

[justmeinAz]

That was as much of a meltdown as it was an Easter Special. Ridiculous headline. Huffpo, you are seriously, seriously losing it. You lose your right to bash Faux News if you can't keep from doing the same nonsense yourself.

[danivers]

Agreed. Shame on you, HuffPo.

[AtomiClash]

Yeah... meltdown?
Not so much. He was just being... well... French.
Snarky comments are kind of part of the whole deal with Sarkozy, I should think. As far as I could tell, he was merely gently chastising the technician for being mildly impolite. Sarkozy seemed a bit tense, but like the control freaks most leaders are, I'm sure he was just being persnickety. No meltdown here.

Merci.

[justmeinAz]

you would also think that being the President, it's more rude than usual to ignore a "hello" from the guy.

[Axolotl]

I think it would be too dangerous for Pres. Barack Obama to visit him in Year One.

On the other hand, if we were unlucky enuf to have a President McCain, McCain should meet with the French president immediately for a joint meltdown into a new alloy.

NO FREE PASS FOR MCCAIN

[BriGuy1961]

I had high hopes this site would have credible stories from a progressive perspective. If this is typical of the site’s journalistic standards, however, I'm sorely disappointed.

20 seconds into the clip, a tech fails to respond to the President’s polite “Hello, Sir.” Sarkozy’s initial reaction is a slight shaking of the head as the tech walks away. The tech returns a moment later and seems to ask a question (I can’t make it out), and the President calmly and quietly asks, “Are you well? Did you hear me?” The tech answers, “very well, thank you,” and a smiling Sarkozy quietly says, “It’s a question of education,” by which he seems to say it would have been polite to respond. The tech turns his back to the President and walks away (revealing a big grin on his face).

After a pause, Sarkozy calmly says (apparently to the host), “When you have been invited, one should at least say hello... Or we're not in the public service here; we are at a demonstration. Incredible­... and serious." He then shrugs his shoulders, and in response to an off-camera question, says quietly “No, that’s going to change. It will change.”

The entire incident takes less than a minute, followed by 5 minutes of Sarkozy complimenting the set and prepping for the interview.

There is no “yelling” or “snapping angrily” by anyone; only a sensationalized headline of the sort the Post (rightly) decries in others.

[SkimaskBob]

French President Nicolas Sarkozy Yells At Staff Before TV Appearance (VIDEO) - WORST.MOST­.MISLEADIN­G.HEADLINE­.EVER.

[JamesRiddle]

Huh? Where is the part of him losing it? Nonsense story. There is nothing here at all.

[alfredjr]

Yea. Subtitles would be good. This is not nearly as interesting as O'Reilly blowing up. Hard to claim "Yelling" unless mumbling in a passive-aggressive voice counts as yelling now.

[danton2000]

I LOVE THIS GUY... More people have to and should have contempt for the media! Bravo Sarko!

[SwingVoter]

My French speaking friend is not around to translate. :(

[eden4barack08]

Just your typically arrogant, smug, condescending, insecure, french guy!

[xpresv]

Viva la France!

[mangoes]

Sarkozy didn't yell at all during this clip. He simply grumbled that the sound technician didn't respond to him saying hello.

Sarkozy himself is known to be somewhat arrogant and self-centered. However, it is clear from his body language that he seems very uncomfortable with himself.

Here's another famous clip
http://youtube.com/watch?v=axDyUNWyuw8

[SevenLevels]

I have to agree. No yelling. Maybe he copped an attitude, but no yelling.
Peace,
Kelly

[westreal]

Subtitles would help.