Of course.
On France and Chirac (and Schroeder), I've been tough. I came close to punching in the nose a currency exchange clerk who was abusing my father in Paris when my parents came to visit while I was stationed in Europe. In fact, on a vacation two years ago, when people asked, Why France?, I responded I was a masochist.
In my opinion, I couldn't have been more wrong. For two full weeks, my wife and I were treated royally. Many credit Jean Tiberi, the former mayor of Paris, with changing popular attitudes that helped his country's tourist industry. There is a lesson here for all of us. I also came to realize that boycotts hurt primarily those with the good working relationships with Americans; that is, those most friendly.
Meanwhile, the fact that Germany, Japan and Saudi Arabia financed the First Gulf War with contributions of $7 billion each, allowing us to claim we made a profit on the war, gets scant mention in the press. Military and economic contributions in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and elsewhere are almost never mentioned. Perhaps, they too have learned lessons.
I had a good experience in Paris back in 2000. The Parisians on the street were friendly and helpful. I had been dreading my stay there based on what I had heard about them. Other European travels I found them to be the same with the exception of older Germans at different resorts - they had quite the attitude - guess you could call them the "Ugly Germans". I've not been back to Europe since 9/11 happened - matter of fact my passport expired last year.