Prices in Italy are only slightly lower than in France, which means that Italy is a very expensive country for everyone, natives, visitors and tourists.

An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one.

The country has always been governed by a coalition but today it is governed by a so-called Grand Coalition which is a more polite word for all and sundry.

What beefsteak is to Argentina, flamenco to Spain, cool reserve and self-control in all situations to an Englishman, what vodka is to a Russian and beer to a Bavarian, what money is to a Swiss, that is outdoor-life to an Australian. It is a noble mania, better than vodka, better than cool reserve, better than money.

Rich people (in Australia) have swimming pools in their gardens but, at least, they do swim in them.

The Americans are extremely gadget minded people and American gadgets have a peculiar characteristic: they work.

In Moscow they do not pay much attention to the living but keep their cemeteries in a splendid state.