"Sure, the other countries have higher taxes, but they also have six-week vacations and paid maternity and paternity leave, and they look at you with puzzlement when you ask whether anyone in their countries goes bankrupt over crippling medical bills. It's the the No. 1 reason for bankruptcy in the U.S."

I don't think so. Not if I compare NY state residents' taxes and mine, out here in France. We pay about as much, and get a lot more in return, including great healthcare, virtually free education (a few hundred euro /year for college education), and great infrastructures too with an extensive , affordable public transportation network. And no, I've never heard of anyone going bankrupt here over medical bills.

All in all, most of us still have more in our pocket at the end of the month than Americans. Thanks to these dreadful taxes.

Remind me I said that next time I have to write a check to the Trésor Public, OK? ;o)

@imnobody

"30% of Frenchmen younger than 30 are Muslim"

Oh yeah? How do you know that? There are no statistics based on race and religion in France.

"...we're treated to Ball's rather prosaic enjoyment of stock Southern Christian characters who would only seem fresh and original to a Frenchman"

...well, as condescendant you might be to us, ignorant Frenchmen, I have to admit you are right. Christianity has no hold whatsoever in most people's lives here, so the human characters and their moral dilemmas in the True Blood series seem incredibly... exotic to me. As exotic and improbable as vampires, in fact. Which is probably why this series is so attractive, I suppose, and I wish a TV channel here in France had picked up the show.

Someone owes an apology to the French, don't you think?

@ notre druide

You know what? I really hope I am wrong, and that the coming years will keep on proving me wrong. But you'll forgive me for being pessimistic: I am french, and the years of unfair french-bashing have left me a tad bitter and VERY wary.

...while the US have gained newfound respect in the world thanks to Obama's election, the opposite is not true. Just have a look at reader's comments on political blogs or online magazines posting about Europe's reaction to Obama's election, and I am not talking about right-wing ones here: more than ever, they revel in Euro bashing.

Before Nov 5, Americans hated those pesky Europeans, and were not shy about letting it show, because "they hate us, they are arrogant and they think they are better than us". Which was a lie anyway, but hey, what could those pesky Europeans do against years of xenophobia and "we live in the best country in the world, we don't care what they think" brainwashing?

Now that Obama is elected and that many countries in the world can look forward to a better relationship with the US, things might not be that easy. Euro bashing is stronger than ever.

Just look at the reactions after the Spiegel's edition about the US, at the beginning of the month: wow, I thought for a moment that german-bashing was about to replace good ol' french bashing! Call them nazis, SS, jew-killers, use every stupid cliché about lederhosen and sauerkraut and hairy legged women!

That's just one example among others, but it shows one thing: the Americans' bully mentality has not changed. Having elected Obama, many Americans let go of all their pent-up frustrations about not having been liked for the past 8 years. They gloat about their restored reputation in the world, but at the same time call other countries names. Hey, Americans: grow up! Just the fact of having elected Obama does not make you a superior human race or something.

I know, I am slightly exaggerating here. I am incredibly happy about Obama's election, about the end of the Bush era and its failed policies. But as an European, I am also incredibly frustrated by American's bully mentality, especially since I was naive enough to believe that once Bush is gone, that would be over too. Looks like I was wrong about that. It might be in your genes after all.

OK, feel free to Euro-bash me now.

You'll understand what "skyrocketing gas prices" really are when they reach the level of what I paid this morning 100 km south of Paris, France: 1.45 euro / liter.

It is the US's god given right to interfere in the politics of other countries, but other countries are not entitled to even have an opinion about the US.

You are the one who should be shutting up, and quick.

... without the "French people?" line, though.