I worked for Philips and was sent to Le Mans in France to work for their telecoms unit. We were developing mobile phones. They gave me a car to drive, a horrid Renault 5. They said I could park it outside the management wing at the front of the building.
But I had my eyes on a sleeker vehicle, and decided on a Toyota Celica, a lovely two-door sports car painted a gorgeous slate grey. I loved the car.
"But what is this?" said the security guard.
"It's my new car, a Toyota" I replied.
"You don't like the Renault?" he asked.
"I wanted something more sporty."
"You can park it round the back" he instructed. "Out the front is for French cars only."
The French buy French. It's a pride thing and it's the bedrock of their economy. Today I live in France and I'm proud to drive a Citroen - and I park where I like.
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