Quote:
"I'm sorry, French trains don't go to Spain."

This is for one very good reason: The track gauge in Spain is 5' 3", whereas in the rest of Europe it is generally 4' 8 1/4", as in the US. With the exception of Ireland (as Spain) and Russia 5' 0" (Also, I believe Finland, although I can't quite remember).
Various methods of ingenious gauge changing methods on coaches and trucks exist, but these are in the minority.
I don't know, but Parisian rudeness seems to be on the decline. It was non existent when I first went, in the early 50's, and peaked in the '70's.
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Politics and Ideology: Not my bag