Bifes ... bem passados

Do we like the Portuguese?
By John Lichfield
We like the Portuguese. We do. It is just we can't remember why we do. They are, we are told, our oldest ally, although no one can remember why or for how long. We like Portuguese wine, such as vihno verde and port. But no one can remember whether port should be passed to the left or right. Or what VSOP means.
We like their beaches and golf courses in the Algarve. We know Lisbon is one of the world's most beautiful cities but can't remember the name of a single street. We like the fact Portugal stopped being fascist, using carnations instead of guns but we can't remember when. (It was 1974).
We love the Portuguese, mostly because they are not Spanish. Or French. Or German. Or ...

John Lichfield is the Paris Correspondent for The Independent