People don't seem prepared to embarrass themselves doing crazy things for the sake of love anymore. Gone seem the days that Plato described where a man in love would do any number of completely humiliating acts for the sake of trying to win the heart of a loved one. The old saying "Faint heart never won fair lady" is still true. In fact people are so cocky and self-assured about finding someone that upon facing rejection, they seem to move increasingly quickly onto the next person they can...

Possibly my favourite part of French culture is the way they greet each other. In Australia, when I arrive at a group of friends, I say hello, a few people pause to say hi and that’s that. In France however, I have to go around to each person and either shake their hand or kiss them on both cheeks. I really love the personal nature of this. You are actually taking the time to personally acknowledge each person and to make some sort of physical contact with them. I find that you feel closer to...