I found this article in today's London Daily Telegraph very interesting and thought some of you might enjoy it as well. Sorry I don't know how to make the link clickable so you will have to copy and paste into your browser.

"Our attitude problem is not something to be proud of," says Paris politician.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...0/wfranc10.xml

Thanks, Crepes, interesting article. I guess many people see the French as this Frenchman does. However, I've been traveling to France twice a year for the past several years, and have found the people to be extremely kind and helpful for the most part. They are not as overtly friendly as Americans, but that's OK. I honestly have not encountered the rudeness and arrogance he's talking about.

there you have it.an official french report which confirms the poor attitude of the passport control staff:


The report also attacks immigration officers for giving a bad impression of the country..... "Instead of behaving like ambassadors for France, they don't even respond to 'hello' or a smile," it says.

This sounds just like the security ,immigration and custom people at MCO..Orlando!

Yes, it does and, unfortunately, we are never going to hear anyone HERE apologizing for that sort of rude behavior since apparently some feel that being kind to others, particularly "foreigners" is a sign of "weakness."

Your generalizations are utter garbage.

This is so easy. I apologize for the rude behavior of customs, immigration and security personnel around the world. Showing kindness is a sign of confidence and strength in yourself.

Why all the negative waves?

What ARE you talking about Topman?

I have to say that throughout years of visiting France (6 times in the last 8 years), I have noticed a significant improvement in the helpful attitude of the French people working in the tourism industry. Yes, we have come across the surly waiter/official/ service person, but we have also come across many that were helpful and kind. It is very likely they may very well be thinking in their heads what idiots we are, but I only care to be treated with respect, and on that note I have no major complaints.

What I find interesting is the timing. Tourism drops dramatically and all of the sudden they focused on their customer care attitude??? Is there a bit of denial there regarding the consequences of their desicion not to support the war on Iraq? Please be advised, THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT, it is an OBSERVATION.

US Customs-Homeland Security personal have recently been schooled and ordered to be friendly, courteous and polite to foreign visitors and returning US citizens.
http://www.washtimes.com/national/20...1044-6690r.htm
Regards, Walter

I've already given my impressions in a separate thread:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34533993

- Larry