Is white privilege real? To what extent?

[RobertE]

I bet that you pretty much always exit an elevator first too.

I'll bet I take the steps. I fucking hate elevators. I'd be tempted to test your theory if it wasn't in an elevator.

"My white female privilege:

I can get out of pretty much any traffic violation just by existing. 
People assume I know how to have an intelligent conversation with basic vocabulary and grammar skills before I start speaking. 
No one thinks I'm going to steal stuff when I go shopping. 
If I walk down a dark street people ask me if I need help instead of being afraid of me. "


My white english privilege:

 I can walk around anywhere in France without an identity card, in spite of my rugged looks, I am never stopped and searched. (Note that all people are searched in France, be they white, black, arab, jewish or Chinese) because I don't draw attention to myself.

Same as you for the second affirmation with regards to the conversation. Being English living in a French speaking community.
Again, same as you, I pay for my shopping with either card or cash, nobody needs to worry.
For the last one, people come up to me and say either "Bonjour", or "Bonsoir."

Having impeccable matters in a strange country goes a long way and it makes the French nervous too, since they can be rude at times. 
For me, it was imperative that I integrated into a strange society right away, because we know the opinions of the French about the British, but as long as laugh along with them, then all of that is forgotten. I know full well that if I had stayed within an English speaking community in France, I wouldn't have had as much success, that is for sure.