Starbucks has opened its first store in France.

First McDonald's, then Disney, now Starbucks. You guys better pass some more "France first!" laws.

Of course, as P.J. O'Rourke says, "You can sit outside in Paris and drink little cups of coffee, but why this is more stylish than sitting inside and drinking large glasses of whiskey I don't know."

Why bother?

It was a win-win situation - but only for Starbucks

If all Frenchmen use logic like this, no wonder France is in trouble.

Well, at least this French guy has some common sense:

But he cheerfully accepts that the coming of the global coffee behemoth could spell the most serious threat so far to his company's decade-long existence.

"It's a bit like going into a nuclear war with a knife," he said of the competition.

But then again, this is a French guy who took an American idea and ran with it. So I guess he's probably sharper than the average frog.

Well done Starbucks - next time there is a riot, the locals can strike a blow against American cultural imperialism by smashing the place up & nicking the cash register.

How very public spirited of Starbucks.

So long as they have French insurance.

Is that available in hardcover?

So, have any of our Parisian friends been to Starbucks yet?