Smoking Ban is a Success in Paris (Mon dieu!)

When the French government announced they would ban smoking last year from all public places in France, including cafes and restaurants, many (including yours truly) skeptically wrote the measure off as another futile attempt to change a fundamentally cigarette-happy culture. Well, we were wrong. Since the ban took effect January 2nd, very few breaches have been noted in Paris, and the city's once hazy cafes and restaurants are surprisingly breathable. Some are even lamenting the death of an iconic Parisian cafe scene, exemplified by existentialist French philosopher and playwright Jean Paul Sartre, who was rarely ever spotted without a cigarette. Most Parisians, though, have adjusted to the change with an ease that has taken everyone by surprise, especially considering the longstanding cultural tradition here of protesting and flouting the rules when possible.

The success of the smoking ban is an example of how cultural stereotypes on the French are not as solid as some would have them be.