misplacedperson

Plenty of supermarkets in the Alps stocking vegemite, as well as Monoprix in Annecy. Maybe you should change your relocation plans.

People actually ban each other from internet forums? How hilariously pathetic. [:D]

Depends on the terms of the contract - eg our staff can be laid off early if we close as a result of the absence of adequate snow. If the new contract is merely an extension of the old one then the terms and conditions should be the same, so reading the original might give you a clue.

I think you mean atom. [:)]

"The rules of employment seem to get bent out of shape in the Alps, it was the only place I ever managed to secure 'proper' french employment, OH too, we had no experience but as the work is so seasonal the french are not that keen, most jobs are filled by imported talent dont you find?" Erm, no. I can only think of  half a dozen foreign employees of French companies here, to be honest. And it's not that the 'rules of employment' get bent, it's the fact that a) there is lots of work in ski resorts over the winter and b) employers want English speakers.

You get 2.5 days a month, and on a CDD I'd imagine they pay it at the end of the period. Should be detailed in the contract.

That would depend on the terms of the contract. Which remain a mystery, since you haven't seen it. [:)]

Diesel and dead gods, if you ask me. http://dinnerwiththeomnivore.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/diesel-and-dead-dogs-1-margarine/

How long since you started work? You should usually sign a contract within the first couple of days - if you haven't done so you should chase it.

On the other hand, Mr M landed a job as assistant chef this summer (no catering qualifications, previous kitchen experience limited to plonge jobs as a student) and has been taken on for the winter season as well.

Socks should always be worn with such Grandad sandals as those. You might have problems with flipflops though.

I've used both English and French services for FT, found them to be much the same. I think you all underestimate how difficult it is to provide a service to someone whose grasp of the language you are speaking is lacking. Our customers who speak no French or English definitely get less information and assistance than the others just because it's such a project to explain things to them. And vice versa.

People move about all the time, what's the problem?

Oh marvellous, the cream question again. With bells on this time. [:D] Double cream: creme fleurette, chilled dairy section. Sour cream: creme fraiche, as above. If you want it sourer that that, make your own as per instructions above. Cottage cheese: highly unlikely. Danone make it, it's called 'cottage cheese' and it's not widely available. Cream cheese: St Moret, any supermarket. Also various own brand versions, usually cheaper (eg Tartidou, Casino) Game: any butcher, but remember that it's both seasonal and regional (eg I don't rate your chances of getting chamois in Normandy). Acquaint yourself with the hunting calendar. You will find France less rubbish if you stop trying to eat all the same things you would in the UK.

Someone could do with explaining all that to UK ski tour operators. Preferably using very small words. [:D]

Looking quite willow warbler to me.

Someone on Radio 4 yesterday stated that TB was never interested in money.   Cue hysterical sidesplitting laughter.

You may wish to leave off with the useless Mummy thing though, before a) you start believing it and b) you convince everyone else. [:)]

I offer this for your amusement: http://misplacedperson.wordpress.com/2010/05/05/gissa-jobdonnez-moi-un-bulot/ Day 1 was was nerve-racking (checkout chick in a bloody supermarket FFS, you're a graduate, get a grip), but it got a lot better in short order. I wouldn't think twice about applying for jobs with French employers now. Can't say I've managed to land anything which matches my qualifications/level of education mind you, but that's more about the job market in a tourist area than anything else.

Well, you may avoid deportation on the grounds that you have comedy value. [:D]

I was officially tested for 'integration level' last week as part of an application for nationality. They asked: Do you have a job? What language do you use at work? What language do you speak at home? Are you a member of any clubs or associations? Is your social circle French/foreign/mixed? Which tells you more or less what the French government considers to be 'integrated'. Though I suspect the real question was 'are you likely to walk around in a binliner all day and never talk to anyone?'

Call the customer service number. If you wade through the options you will eventually find one to disallow SMS messages from Orange.

France Telecom used to do a BT calling card type thing which charged calls back to your own landline account - last time I used it was donkeys ago, so it may no longer exist. The Kertel cards are available from any post office. Alternatively ... http://www.leguide.com/cartes_telephoniques_prepayees.htm ... zillions of the things. Google search on 'cartes telephoniques'.

Didn't it turn itself into a bank about 20 years ago?

Banks are out to make money. They give stuff away because they think they will see a return on the outlay, not because it's actually of any real benefit to anyone. Ergo, they're not remotely interested in impoverished pensioners, people who only use the account for cheap foreign exchange, or indeed anyone without wads of dosh. They might make the occasional exception for students, but only because they're expecting them to turn into wealthy professionals at any minute (big disappointment on the way there, then). The rest of us can basically all sod off and they won't give a fig. Or anything else beginning with an 'f'.