I think that much of this idea of French people being rude is due to tourists being rude first, simply because they haven't bothered to learn the very basics of proper French etiquette.

Here, everytime that you intereact with someone - for example, in the street, in a shop including when you first enter, n a restaurant or even on walking into a room - you have to say "Bonjour" before saying anything else.

Tourists get cold or even rude reactions because they just don't do this.

If I walk past a member of staff in the supermarket, we will both say "Bonjour" to each other.

If I walk into a boulangerie, I say "Bonjour" to everyone inside. Same with waiting rooms.

If there's a massive queue, then I wait to say it until I reach the counter.

Even in big chains, staff will greet you as you walk past the tills, and you greet them back.

You should also say a quick "Merci, au revoir" and/or "Merci, bonne journée/fin d'après-midi/soirée", adding "à vous aussi", if they say it first.

Again, when ordering something, a simple "Je voudrais , s'il vous plaît" (I would like , please) goes a long way, rather than barking orders, especially the American "I'll get a ___"

Customer service here is usually more present and interactive than in the UK but, like the UK, it's still genuine and sincere, and nowhere near as obseqious as in the US.

Tipping is only required for exceptional service.

To be fair, even in France, everyone stereotypes les Parisiens , just like British people stereotype Londoners, but while it's mostly recognised as an over-generalisation, made in jest, there's also often resentment over Parisian second home owners, especially here in Brittany, and the 'Paris is the centre of the universe' attitudes - something that is also an issue in not just London, but Cardiff and Edinburgh too.

In my 20 years here, I have found the vast majority of French people to be very kind, welcoming and helpful - especially here in Brittany, but then, the French also recognise this region as being extremely friendly and welcoming.

Along with the rain we get, it's one of the many things it has in common with Wales - my original home.

In small towns and villages, there's still a very strong sense of community, and everyone looks out for each other.

When my kids were younger and out on their bikes, if they fell off, someone would stop their car to help them up.

I have had lifts from local people I've never met before when I had a flat battery and needed to get my kid from school.