i will admit it has been about five years since i've been to france. maybe i was oblivious, but the french people i encountered were nothing but kind and respectful. i stayed a few weeks in paris, and then toured around the country stopping at different places for a bite to eat and some american tourism. through my travels, everyone was very polite and sincere. even if there was a language barrier. even the old man in the manga store who knew not a lick of english laughed with me at our dilemma and shook my hand heartily before i left. much respect shown there.

imo, tourists are usually invasive. prehaps that is why they feel the are treated badly. tourists in general, wherever thay are, i've noticed have a lack of respect for wherever they are, of course, in thinking their homeland is "better". that is a horrible mistake and can be lead to many people being rude to you. if i go somewhere, i make sure i have the utmost respect for whoever i meet and try to stay out of the indiginous people's way.

i have heard many americans say something to the effect that france always loses wars, but with a country that large in a prime location of europe, i can understand why. portecting all of those open areas has to be very difficult. america is surrounded by water on both sides and is much easier to defend. jerry lewis and that baywatch guy are popular over there, io hear, but american pop stars and comedians can be compared. without jerry lewis, we have no professor on the simpsons, less sight gags and froinlaven!?