Mrs jacknyoc and i have been to Paris...and other parts of the French countryside...on three somewhat extended trips over the past few years. We have done the tourist stuff...and have done a lot of non-tourist stuff. We have encountered a wide assortment of local residents...in shops, restaurants, in parks, on the streets, etc. We have nothing but fond memories of them and have no outstanding "Ugly French" stories that so many people seem to crave. We're always quite amazed when we hear about how rude the French are...and the surprised reaction when we tell our own stories. maybe it's one of those things that if spread around enough, people will believe it rather than experience it themselves. go to Paris...go the the French countryside...enjoy it all...and stop looking for excuses. it's different...it's supposed to be...that's why we travel. now, if you want to talk about rude people, our local grocery stores and roadways were pretty full of them over this past holiday weekend : )