Clueless in Paris, or, Angst in France

Something very unusual happened to me today. I went into a pharmacy to buy some Tylenol and toothpaste, and the pharmacist began to ask me all sorts of questions, where was I from, and how did I like living in France, and how long have I lived here -... I was surprised by her friendliness. Not that the French aren't friendly, but you get used to everybody being so grim all the time.

“Strangers are friends you have yet to meet” (Anon.)