When The ThunderDragon asked me if I'd consider posting a weekly guest post at weekends, when the news is (theoretically) quieter and there's less to talk about, I asked if there was anything particular theme to stick by - or if I could just "go off on one". I was told I could just go off on one - which is potentially a dangerous thing to say.

Thankfully, as a committed Francophile (I even spent an entire year over there), there's been one major piece of news this week that's warranted comment. Yes, the visit of the Bombastic diminutive drunk (You've probably seen those clips before - I've mentioned them myself on occasion - but they're still worth it) and his Supermodel wife.

It's a story that's really generated a lot of attention. Well, at least Mme Bruni Sarkozy has. The French press has reacted with surprise at how a former model turned singer is being plastered over every single paper - Le Parisien even referring to us English being "conquered" by Carli in an operation of seduction by the Presidential couple.

Either way though, it's fair to say that the state visit has strengthened Anglo-Franco relations to the general public. We've always had a love-hate relationship with our neighbours across La Manche.

There seems to be a myth that they're lazy, always on strike/protesting, arrogant, rude, and stinking of garlic.
I wouldn't say the stereotypes are completely wrong. Even I was on strike for 6 weeks when I was over there as students protested over the Contrat première embauche, and you could find dates of public transport strikes pre-printed in your diary.
But lazy and arrogant? No - they're just different. I'm presently reading Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't be Wrong, which explains the French culture by showing the history behind it all, so we can understand why the French are like they are.

Best example - we may think they're arrogant because they don't introduce themselves at the start of a conversation. However, they take the view - what's in a name? It's very easy to strike up a conversation with a random Frenchie. It's far from unknown to be invited into someone's house and share an aperitif. But, they don't want to know about you - there's no implicit 'one-upmanship' with the "So, what do you do?" that exists in the UK.

And yes, there's a 35hour maximum working week. We've contracted out of that EU directive, and we're not allowed to work more than an average of 48 hours a week. I don't think that makes them lazy. I think it's healthy. One of the main reasons I didn't want to work in the City is that I wanted private time. I could be set to earn a much bigger salary if I did; but I like the 9-5, occasionally working extra hours here and there where required. Not leaving my desk at 2am in the morning because I'm too exhausted to carry on. The French are insisting on this so everyone is allowed to enjoy their free time. What's wrong with that?

In my year spent as a ex-pat, I learnt how to embrace the French culture - and, critically, how to deal with the 'arrogant' French on their own level. With this, I think there's a lot of advantages, and would leave to bring some of it over the Channel. It won't happen, but I hope that the visit of M. & Mme. "Sarko" has shown people that they're not that bad over there after all...

Asp

How come we don't get political partners who look like this? It's just not fair.