Dear Phyllisstein (I love that pseudonym),

I just love the way the English have mangled French expressions over time. And then they wonder why the "Frogs" despise them.

The French don't despise us. The truth is that they choose to appear as though they despise us in order to disguise the fact that they are totally baffled by our straightforwardness. They can't believe anyone can be that straightforward, it must be a cover up for something really devious, so they label us "perfidious Albion". Anyone remember whose phrase that was?

Since Paris is just about my favourite city (San Francisco and Edinburgh almost equal it), I can't afford to believe they really despise me!

dxb.