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Pardonnez-moi: Former French diplomat decried as ‘misogynist’ for ‘no means yes’ ‘rape’ joke
A sleazy Frenchman? Who would have imagined! Former French ambassador to the US and Israel Gerard Araud caused outrage by joking that “no” sometimes means “maybe.” He deleted the tweet, but said it was just “a bit of humour.”
Having served as France’s ambassador to the US, Israel, and the United Nations before his retirement in 2019, Araud likely knows a thing or two about reading the room. However, a quip he made on Twitter on Saturday went down like a lead balloon.
“The difference between a lady and a diplomat? When a lady says No, it means maybe. When maybe, it’s Yes and when Yes, she is not a lady. When a diplomat says Yes, it means maybe. When maybe, it’s No and when No, he is not a diplomat,” he quipped.
Repulsive tweet from the man who was French ambassador to the US until 2019 (and was French ambassador to the UN at the time of Libya intervention in 2011). Hope he apologises (and acknowledges the many lady diplomats out there, including at the Security Council table) pic.twitter.com/2AxONEIjd7
— Mary Fitzgerald (@MaryFitzger) May 2, 2021
Araud’s tweet drew the wrath of some commenters, who accused him of “unacceptable” sexism. “I’ve prosecuted rapists who tried that line on for size,” retired lawyer Fionna O’Leary tweeted, “Not funny then. Not funny now.”
Have you completely lost the plot?I recommend a smart return to diplomat school and a rapid deletion of this tweet.I’ve prosecuted rapists who tried that line on for size.Not funny then. Not funny now.
— Fionna O'Leary,
