[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by ianch99

If you been to France a few time, this is self evident. The tenacious preservation of their local shops e.g. boulangerie, etc. in the face of large, cheaper supermarkets, Their strange insistence on buying French cars, their preference to speak French to tourists, etc. I am sure there are many more examples

You earlier said:

they seem to value their "French-ness" over and above what things cost.

Sure, your reply is accurate but not to the extent of "over and above what things cost". What's the evidence for the "over and above" extent?