Un Hamburger; Hold the Freedom Fries

Lately I have been hearing from concerned friends in the States. I'm American, and I live in France — so am I "O.K.?" They want to know how the French are treating me. Do I feel "afraid?"

Not of the French. No matter how hot things get between governments, the French people I know are not personalizing matters. They are kind to me about half the time and coolly judgmental the rest of the time — same as they always have been. Of course they exhibit infuriatingly French tendencies — stubbornly adhering to ideals no matter how glaring...