"A bad liver is to a Frenchman what a nervous breakdown is to an American. Everyone has had one and everyone wants to talk about it"

This quote by Art Buchwald is an amusing comparison in between the French and American cultures. He is suggesting that the French are more likely to struggle with a bad liver, while Americans are most likely to struggle with an anxious breakdown. This comparison indicates that the French are more likely to delight in unhealthy habits, such as drinking too much alcohol, while Americans are most likely to be overwhelmed by the pressures of modern life. The quote likewise implies that both cultures are open to discussing their health issues, as everybody has actually had one and everybody wishes to talk about it. This recommends that both cultures want to be open and truthful about their health concerns, which is a favorable thing. In general, this quote is a funny method of highlighting the distinctions in between the French and American cultures.