Thanks Kerouac, I was almost sure France would not stoop to 3rd World standards when it comes to health care. Sorry to hear the school problem can be as tough.

PalenQ, I was only referring to the number of working days lost in each country>

granted - one has to ask what the 'last 5 years' was - when was the data gathered because in the most recent 5 years stikes here it seems have disappeared all together - save a few teachers unions protected by tenure nobody strkes anymore - even to prevent a decline in wages.

I would think last year's figures would show a jump in French strikes as cost-cutting measures of cradle to grave welfare state happen - whilst our unemployment rate is in double digits and, except in France, the unemployed do not strike. (I understand the unemployed agitated for year-end bonuses in France - folks getting the minimum government handout for doing nothing - literally sitting on their asses and getting a government minimum allowance like one of my in-laws who has a million euros in the bank!)

so i think those figures may be outdated and not reflect the current figures in States and Hexagon.

and that dude who made the mural of the EU in front of EU HQs in Brussels did put 'en greve' as the title for France - so the European perception is also of a Greve-infested country - one where a tourist never can be sure that train he has booked a PREM ticket will really run when he gets there - meaning he may not get on a train at all - just real chaos for travelers that rarely happens in the U.S.

Last US strike of national nature would have been the air traffic controllers, non? Their fate...was not nice.

During the recent volcano eruption in Iceland, with air traffic paralyzed in all Europe, the French SNCF railway workers (already insanely privileged) went on strike for yet another ridiculous reason. Millions of travelers were routed to Spain from all over the world since the only open airports were in Spain, and were stranded in France because of the strike. The strikers' response was that only "rich people" take the plane, so they deserve what they get. This should tell you something about their mindset.

Makes you wonder why so many people want to go to France, doesn't it? ;)

TOURIST INFORMATION--FRANCE

General Overview:
France is a medium-sized foreign country situated in the continent of Europe. It is an important member of the world community, though not nearly as important as it thinks. It is bounded by Germany, Spain, Switzerland and some smaller nations of no particular importance and with not very good shopping.

France is a very old country with many treasures, such as the Louvre and Eurodisney. Among its contributions to western civilization are champagne, Camembert cheese and the guillotine. Although France likes to think of itself as a modern nation, air conditioning is little used and it is next to impossible for Americans to get decent Mexican food.

One continuing exasperation for American visitors is that local people insist on speaking in French, though many will speak English if shouted at. Watch your money at all times.

The People:
France has a population of 56 million people. 52 million of these drink and smoke (the other 4 million are small children). All French people drive like lunatics, are dangerously oversexed, and have no concept of standing patiently in a queue. The French people are in general gloomy, temperamental, proud, arrogant, aloof and undisciplined; those are their good points. Most French citizens are Roman Catholic, though you would hardly guess it from their behaviour.

Many people are communists. Men sometimes have girls' names like Marie or Michel, and they kiss each other when they meet. American travellers are advised to travel in groups and wear baseball caps and colourful trousers for easier recognition.

Safety:
In general, France is a safe destination, although travellers must be aware that from time to time it is invaded by Germany. Traditionally, the French surrender immediately and, apart from a temporary shortage of Scotch whisky and increased difficulty in getting baseball scores and stock market prices, life for the American visitor generally goes on much as before. A tunnel connecting France to Britain beneath the English channel has been opened in recent years to make it easier for the French government to flee to London during future German invasions.

History:
France historical figures are Louis XIV, the Huguenots, Joan of Arc, Jacques Cousteau, and Charles de Gaulle, who was President for many years and is now an airport.

Government:
The French form of government is democratic but noisy. Elections are held more or less continuously and always result in a draw. The French love administration so for government purposes the country is divided into regions, departments, districts, municipalities, towns, communes, villages, cafes, and telephone kiosks. Each of these has its own government and elections. Parliament consists of two chambers, the Upper and Lower, though confusingly they are both on the ground floor, and whose members are either Gaullists or Communists, neither of whom should be trusted by the traveller. Parliament's principal occupation is setting off atomic bombs in the south Pacific and acting indignant and surprised when other countries complain. According to the most current American state department intelligence, the President is now someone named Jacques. Further information is not available at this time.

Culture:
The French pride themselves on their culture, though it is not easy to see why. All their music sounds the same and they have never made a movie that you would want to watch for anything but the nude scenes.

Cuisine:
Let's face it, no matter how much garlic you put on it, a snail is just a slug with a shell on its back. Croissants on the other hand, are excellent, although it is impossible for most Americans to pronounce this word. In general, travellers are advised to stick to cheeseburgers.

Economy:
France has a large and diversified economy, second only to Germany's in Europe, which is surprising because the French hardly work at all. If they are not spending four hours dawdling over lunch, they are on strike and blocking the roads with their trucks and tractors. France's principal exports, in order of importance to the economy, are wine, nuclear weapons, perfume, guided missiles, champagne, guns, grenade launchers, land mines, tanks, attack aircraft, miscellaneous armaments and cheese.

Public Holidays:
France has more holidays than any other nation in the world. Among its 361 national holidays are: 197 Saints' days, 37 National Liberation Days, 16 Declaration of Republic Days, 54 Return of Charles de Gaulle in triumph as if he won the war single-handed Days, 18 Napolean sent into Exile Days, 17 Napolean Called Back from Exile Days, and 2 "France is Great and the Rest of the World is Rubbish" Days.

Conclusion:
France enjoys a rich history, a picturesque and varied landscape, and a temperate climate. In short, it would be a very nice country if it was not inhabited by French people. The best thing that can be said for France is that it is not Germany.

Aaah! the French - a nation of oversexed, undiciplined, smoking, Roman Catholic Communists............?

Paul,

I hope people see humor in your post. I love it. I can laugh at similar pieces about just about any country or group of people. I live in the Midwest US so I know of what I speak. ;-)

Thanks for lightening up my day.

DaveMM

I certainly did, hence my sarcastic summing up of the French nation! Ha Ha!

Or, as the French ambassador to Washington apparently said during the Freedom Fries episode, "We do not really care what Americans call their potatoes." ;)