French culture. Road users have (generally) a more considerate attitude to other users. While I was living in France for about a year, many times I was manoeuv

French culture. Road users have (generally) a more considerate attitude to other users. While I was living in France for about a year, many times I was manoeuvring on a road and blocking it. In Australia and the US, that would be a perfect opportunity for them to blast me with the horn. In France though, the other driver(s) would wait quietly and allow me to finish my procedure. That was a very noticeable thing. It happened so often that I respected it, and took on those attitudes myself, even after I returned home. Another reason is better roads. French roads are (generally) in good condition. US roads, as part of the crumbling national infrastructure, not so much.