Suffice to say it is years since I have heard the "Atlantic Barons" flying into Hounslow West complaining about speed control / headings / holding.
Many times in the last few years in CDG I have felt obliged to interject in my semi-usable French to ask Commandant Dieu in the AF if he wouldn't mind just adjusting his knob & letting the rest of us get a word in edgeways on the frequency.
Authority (supposed or real ) is more of an issue in France than in some other
European countries . . . . . fact.