I went to get my Schengen visa at the French Consulate in San Francisco on Monday, so I got an interesting new entry into my list of consular attitudes by country: “friendly arrogant.” Both officers held themselves with a noticeable touch of arrogance, while at the same time being genuinely friendly. It was like talking to someone who is really happy with themselves, yet are happy to see you as well.

Other entries:

• US: really mean to most, though I have usually been treated well myself
• Brazil: bubbly and friendly, like in a tourist agency
• Finland: helpful and attentive (one of the best)
• Austrian: neutral bureaucratic, I can’t remember many details
• Russian: sound bored when they bother to pick up the phone
• Estonian (in Helsinki): bastards when they bother to pick up the phone (don’t get me started on the Estonian consulate in Helsinki)