Our French Superiors

[English]

The rudeness thing isn't unique to France. Europe is generally much more rude full stop. Certainly in Canada and the US people are far more polite than they are in the UK, Italy or France. In actual fact, I'd say the people in Rome and Milan win hands down when it comes to sheer ignorance, arrogance and general rudeness. If you go to Milan expect to be treated like dirt in shops, bars and restaurants.

[English]

As a completely random aside, I find it funny how the stereotypes for Canada and France are complete opposites.  Their problem is being too snooty and arrogant.  Our problem is being way too polite and humble for our own good.

Not that I'm complaining.

Canadians are generally insufferably polite and friendly, even in big cities like Toronto. I've met some rude Canadians though, one from Calgary in particular sticks in my mind.

[English]

The rudeness thing isn't unique to France. Europe is generally much more rude full stop. Certainly in Canada and the US people are far more polite than they are in the UK, Italy or France. In actual fact, I'd say the people in Rome and Milan win hands down when it comes to sheer ignorance, arrogance and general rudeness. If you go to Milan expect to be treated like dirt in shops, bars and restaurants.

I read this article recently, came upon it by chance: They're so bloody polite

Absolutely true.
That said, although I'm very envious of the politeness you find in the US, I don't envy the prudishness. I quite enjoy the smuttyness on TV and in newspapers, sleezy sex shops on street corners and naked flesh on magazine covers. It makes life more interesting.
Certainly I can't imagine the fuss of the Monica Lewinsky scandal here in Britain. It's almost expected of our MP's to sleep around, have love children and trawl around public parks looking for sex!

[English]

The thing that upsets me the most about the French is the damn strikes!! Everytime they have a strike the first thing they do is blockade the channel ports and the channel tunnel!!! ARGH!! Thereby costing the UK economy millions in lost revenue. The UK should send tanks across in my opinion!

[English]

Eh French invasion.
Why can't any of teh europeans that come in be conservative.

If you mean why are we all Democrat supporters?
Religion, or should I say Religious social conservatism.
Even staunch free-marketeers in Europe tend not to be particularly socially conservative, hence they are swayed towards the Dems.
Margeret Thatcher, so beloved by US Republicans for instance was socially conservative by UK standards, but would be a moderate or even a liberal in the GOP. As far as I know she was pro-choice and certainly not openly religious.
Conservatives in Europe are more libertarian than anything.

[English]

I also care more about economic issues, simply because I think social issues have got little (if anything) to do with government. They shouldn't even be an issue. I could never vote for a party which tells people who they should and shouldn't sleep with, what music they should listen to, or what they should do with their bodies. It's frankly none of the states business.