By now you will have heard about the article that appeared in Newsweek a few days ago headlined The Fall of France. It's the one in which American journalist and Paris resident Janine di Giovanni claimed that French milk was too expensive, mothers were given free nappies - not to mention free child care - and that the rich and educated were fleeing the country. Well, that last bit might be true. But otherwise the article was peppered with inaccuracies.
As another foreign resident of Paris, I almost sympathise with Janine. What you have to understand is the sheer enormity of the culture shock that Americans experience here. I'm British, so I get it in small doses. But Yanks must feel as if they've landed on another planet. Generous social welfare. Lack of political correctness. A carefree attitude to sex and alcohol. Tiny restaurants where bread is more important than water. And where waiters are more important than customers. Indeed, Paris may be one of the few places where Americans feel inferior. So their response is to go on the defensive, castigating France as decadent. We all have issues with French bureaucracy; but in general, I love this land of noisy bistros and government-assisted eyewear. I wrote my first book here, fell in love here, became a father here. Yes, I wince at the taxes. But not when I visit the dentist. For better or worse, I'm staying.
