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...

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...