Hi, flattop. . . I hate to destroy your image of folks in European countries living close together peacefully (and all I can speak of is France, cause that's where I live). I lived in the Parisian area for 9 years, so I think I know what I'm talking about as far as crowding goes. What's known as the "Ile de France" contains something like 12 million people and, believe me, they're not any better at living close together peacefully than anyone else.

I now live in a village of about 180 souls and all I can say is a bit a breathing space makes a lot of difference. It's so much more easy to be calm when you're not constantly agressed by too many people too close together.

cheers,

Aux