Submitted by Michael Kennedy, May 2, 2007 10:41

In an exteremely unscientific survey, I can report that the attitude of ordinary French citizens toward Americans has radically changed over the past 30 years. At least in my own experience. In 1980, I found almost no one who spoke English and my pitiful attempts at French were met coldly in most of Paris although small cafes on the left bank were far friendlier than salesgirls in Gallerie Lafayette, for example. Outside of Paris, the attitude was friendlier but the lack of English was the same. This past summer, I visited for the first time in almost ten years. I was astounded at the changes. Almost everyone in Paris spoke some English and even clerks in the Metro were friendly. I had three teenaged girls along and they loved everything about France. There was not the slightest hint of the hostility I had experienced 25 years ago. One possible explanantion was offered by a B&B hostess in Normandy. She told us that tourism is down by nearly half. Maybe economics is an explanation. Another was suggested by the reaction of a Champs Elysee cafe manager to a Muslim woman begging. I think the French are starting to realize the problem they have with their Muslim immigrants and see us as the only other country dealing with radical Islam firmly. I think they are starting to look for friends and we look like one they want to have. We'll see how the election goes. My daughter is still IMing French friends she met in Bordeaux and wants to go there to college. We will be back this summer.

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