Your hypersensitivity aside, I'm trying to explain to you WHY the
French are the butt of jokes in America.
But they aren't the butt of jokes in America. At least not where I live.

They have been both places I've lived.

I've lived in two states (Side note for Martin: Both states are bigger than
most European countries), and many different cities. I've worked in
Chicago, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids. I've worked
for and with the New York Times, the Racine Journal Times, the Chicago
Tribune, and the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

In every locale, in every position, the French are AT BEST chuckled at.
Maybe it's a Midwestern thing, maybe it's a generational thing -- I don't
know -- but it's pretty much universal, and was especially prevalent with my
dad's (WWII) generation.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"