Travelgourmet, just to clarify, I did say French are "among" the friendliest people in the world. By saying "among", it means, they are one of the many friendly people in the world.

Patrick London, I think that is funny, not rude,,people have to have the ability to laugh at themselves.. Being overly sensitive serves no one.

Lawchick, did you find the woman there in Belgiam, wore too much makeup and jewlery?

No...though there are a few "types" of Belgian women. There is a "perma tan" type - but they don't seem to wear a lot of jewelery, but they are a bit oompah loompah indeed.

Lawchick, my experience has been the exact opposite: I couldn't believe how nice people in Brussels were when I arrived here, compared to Paris (lived there for 3 years) and even Lyon (where I also lived for a total of 3 years). I still think people (or rather, strangers/members of the general public) are much friendlier here than in France, on the whole.

Just goes to show how two people's experiences/perception can be completely different!