Fretful French are reluctant to try new life experiences

I don’t want to give offence to my many Frech friends but I could not resist sending this letter to the Financial Times (published on the 28th March). The title was the FT's not mine.

Sir, Philip Stephens' ("France must change or live in fear", March 24) describes France as a nation afraid. Apparently, Mr Stephens even heard a member of Dominique de Villepin's government comment that the people "are fearful of everything".

My company, in conjunction with OMD, researched how the attitudes of people change as they age, in France and four other countries. The results confirmed the notion of France as a fearful and apprehensive country.

Compared with Americans, Australians and the British, the average Frenchman is less likely to try new brands, retain an interest in technology and want to embrace new life experiences. These negative characteristics become more pronounced with age. The only country that was more conservative and averse to change was the Czech Republic.

The results from Australians were diametrically different to those from the French. Australians appear to break all of the "rules" of ageing and become more willing to adapt and embrace change. Maybe this fact explains the relative strengths of the French and Australian wine industries.

This letter stimulated an enquiry from the Czech Republic news agency who want to run a piece on the same subject. At least when that is printed I will be unaware how much offence I have given to the older Czech. Dick Stroud