Got a kick out of this...

[Bigerik]

I guess you are not that close to the Brits. "Rubbishing" the French has been a centuries old tradition with the British. And it is for the most part, harmless and just in good fun. That was the context I certainly intended it to be taken in. And judging by the various stereotypes in the article, I believe that it was nothing more than having a little April Fools day fun at the expense of the neighbours.