Best country to visit.

[JimC]

I'll see your roast goose Christmas dinner and raise you a Chinese wedding banquet (sorry, no pics; menu only):

The presence of shark fin on that menu, I find completely disgusting, I wouldn't eat from that menu on principle.

I agree. I always pass on that particular course, but I'm not about to offend someone by not attending "on principle". I'm sure that some couples at least would prefer that it isn't on the menu. Unfortunately, the motivation for retaining it is money: no shark's fin soup means an excuse not to give as much money as a present.

If the fins were part of a sustainable harvest of sharks that used the whole creature, and the population levels were monitored, it wouldn't be an issue. Unfortunately, they are caught in large numbers, the fins cut off, and, with a breathtaking display of waste, the finless bodies are thrown back...

[mistermack]

The presence of shark fin on that menu, I find completely disgusting, I wouldn't eat from that menu on principle.

I agree. I always pass on that particular course, but I'm not about to offend someone by not attending "on principle".

If lots of people DID boycott those menus, it would change overnight.
If nobody does, it will never change.

I'm happy to risk offence. If people don't understand, then they are the problem.

[Rum]

R.E. the OP - I'm a sucker for France - especially from about mid-way down to the south coast - the bit where the roof tiles go red!

You have all the convenience of a modern and civilized country, half the population density of the UK or much less in places, excellent food and a wonderful climate and scenery. Grapes in piles on the side of the raod with an honesty box for payment - it doesn't get better than that! The people are decent, polite if a little aloof too except for the tourist areas.

[mistermack]

France for me too. I've ALWAYS had a memorable time in France. And what a country for biking.
Not on the main roads, but the back roads are glorious. Good wide tarmac, empty, and more scenic than the main routes.

I'm not just agreeing with Rum, I posted France earlier :
http://rationalia.com/forum/viewtopic.p ... 5#p1587933

Last night on channel 4 there was a lovely little program about France, it was Timothy West and Prunella Scales on a barge on the historic midi canal, that linked up the Atlantic with the med across France a hundred years before England got going with canals.
It's worth watching, if they repeat it, or watch it on catch-up tv.

http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/dhnwr ... -episode-3