Maybe Merry is right...but note the rankings!
 

http://www.msnbc.com/news/244031.asp

The last line of the article had me rolling!!!

I hope that my american friends on the board realize, that this is in fact satirical about Americans ...

Vive la France!

Matt: I take exception to the inclusion of the word "Maybe" in the title of this post http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

However, I think four words will explain the last line of the post:

Booze-Cruise, Duty Free!

Wait until inter-EC Duty Free has gone later this year (probably), and watch the UK fall from the fifth position!
MF

Switzerland (or UK's Guernsey/Jersey) will remain duty-free islands!

Merry: Would could should! Them thar frenchies may be rude, but they's more popular than the The Former Empire Known as Britain and apparently don't have to bribe folks to come... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Rudi: I'd visit Switzerland, but I have no secret banking to be done, I can buy the fantastic swiss chocolate elsewhere, and accoriding to you, the skiiing is better in North America. Give me a good excuse to visit that I can sell to my wife!!! Maybe we can get Switzerland into the rankings next year http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I took time to read the article. The last line rings true, considering my experiences in that place.

To me: rankings are just dribble. Each place has its own "top rank" for me: G.B. for theatre and beer, France for the arts and having overpriced Pepsi on the Champs D'Elysse. (sorry about misspelling!)

But I want to pass one what my dear aunt once said to me..

Everyone is an individual and we cannot judge people by a whole group.

This means: there are very nice French people in France.

IN fact, there's one's lurking very prominently on this FlyerTalk board.

Although right now (2:30p CDT) he's off to a meeting.

And he calls himself an "International" person. That's better than just being French or Polish or Jerzee!



------------------
:) CATMAN :)

This article, like most on France, are really about Paris and Parisians. The rest of the country is far more enjoyable IMHO. I live in the south where we laugh at Parisians, enjoy life, and don't worry too much about how to pose or dress.

Read a Year in Provence and Toujours en Provence for Peter Mayle's opinion on the south of France.