kismetchimera

Well said, MadameX.
I was reading your previous post about the good behavior that French children display in public.
.
Not only the children display good manners, but even their dogs are well behaved..they can sit quietly at any restaurant for hours..

cigalechanta

Another thing to bring up is backbacks. I use one and a 22"suitcase but don't keep it on my back at all times. We have seen so many Americans(and other tourists) keep them on their backs on public transportation and in crowded shops so that people have been hit in the head or had to duck whenever they turned.

SuzieC

I had started to re-read Mayle's Year in Provence on Sunday night...
I read your post on Monday morning...
In "February" I think (the chapter in the book), the Mayle's have to learn TO SHRUG as a form of communications...as their classic French was not Provencal French..
I even learned the shrug and a little "poff" sound with my mouth and cheeks...

Neil_Oz

I'm assuming that the 'hand in lap' rule has something to do with the American custom of eating one-handed. I can't see whay it would be regarded as bad manners, though. In fact I never even noticed it when dining in the US - but than, as my wife never tires of pointing out, I'm not very observant.

tedgale

I endorse Madame X's writings on manners but wonder why someone of her fastidious upbringing would take as her screen-name a movie character distinguished by:
1. abandoning her husband and child
2. her alcoholism and
3. murdering someone.

(Lana Turner, Madame X, 1966)