Actually, Katso, I was last there in 2005 and the people sitting right next to me on both sides in the restaurant at the top of the Eiffel tower (at over$300 for two) were smoking and no, they were not using ash trays , they were using their dessert left overs!
As to the guy.......You are right, I don't care for him at all. He is the true unflattering caricature of the typical Frenchman.
As to Germany.......Same time 2005, and saw it with my own eyes. Say what you will but we were laughing like crazy at the guy standing next to his car pissing away and watching the traffic! And no, I have nothing against Germans, I was born in Vienna.
As to political?! Must be your inability to read; Politics has nothing to do with hating litter, graffiti and destroyed public facilities! What kind of an animal carves gang graffiti into toilet seats?