This made me smile

Last evening I visited with a friend who'll be living in France the rest of the year.

We've both spent considerable time there, love the country and are fond and admiring of most French people. Over the years, we've had cause to be grateful to many of them for acts of kindness, including some extraordinary ones.

We got to talking about things we think of as "characteristically French."

I recalled this incident:

Some years ago I checked into a large Paris hotel at a very busy time.

As I was making my arrangements, an American next to me was making hers with another staffer.

The woman insisted on some special consideration - I can't recall what - while the check-in specialist kept explaining the hotel could not accommodate her request.

Finally it came to - - -

"Why not?"

"Because it is not possible."

"But I've been in Denmark for a week and they did it there."

"In Denmark, perhaps. In France, no."