Why do people say France is more liberal than England?

[pascoe69]

I am English and from what I've seen French law enforcement officials are far more violent, draconian and over-the-top than their British equivalents.

While a British officer would stand there and tolerate drunken idiots throwing insults across the road and not get too upset about it, a French cop would march over there, baton drawn and teach them a lesson in respect for the police.

The way the French police treat people would be considered police brutality in England. It would not be tolerated and many officers would loose their jobs, but in France it is almost expected that a police officer is aggressive, hostile and short-fused.

Their law enforcement agencies are certainly less liberal when dealing with drunks and petty criminals.

[caffar]

Indeed. And in many more respects than law enforcement is France more conservative than the UK. Consider for instance French policies promoting the family unit as compared with Nick Clegg's speech last week.