The last day of a business trip. I was looking for a present for my girlfriend at the Samaritaine department store. Perfume – that’s the ticket! Went up to the counter and before I said a word, the lady behind the counter handed me a little flask. “I’m looking for…” She said, “This is the right one.” I asked, “Don’t different women need different kinds of perfume?” She replied, “Of course! This is for a woman who’s tall, has blonde hair, is athletic, plays tennis.” I was stunned. Can their intelligence service be that good? “What color are her eyes?” I asked. “Blue, but that doesn’t matter for scent.”

Moral: never doubt a saleslady in France.