Protesting is as much part of the culture here as coffee. The riots seen recently are less common and ugly. Unfortunately, I think not just France but the rest of the world is also going to start to see more of this. We have taught rights and individual demands so loudly while barely whispering about social responsibility and the fact that we are part of something bigger than just the individual. At the same time the gap between rich and poor engenders a simmering low level hatred that is starting to bubble up in many places. There are plenty of times where my zen attitude falls apart with what is wrong here. I have lived in places where it can be A LOT worse and there is still much to appreciate about the French and their way of life.