Lori

You are probably on your way by now.  It is 7:15 pm. Our experience with invitations to a French apero has in fact lasted until about midnight, started at 7:30 pm.  It was great fun, but next time, I would eat something before hand as the alcohol was flowing and I had eaten nothing since lunch.  Now, I know better.  As for offerings,  I would bring flowers, a homeade savoury item or chilled champagne... Have fun

Just to add.  The  service-public.fr  website lists these articles (laws) in English and French, so if your French is not that great, you can print out the English version.  Fabulous. Once you start reading these laws, it is kind of hard to stop..

Boiling a Frog - You're the best !  I actually had this website on my favorites list, but hadn't really reviewed it in a couple of years and certainly not in any detail the last time I did.  Was looking for something totally different at that time. I plan to print out the laws you forwarded (from the website).  Can't wait for the tea time conversation with my friends (French and otherwise), whom I doubt know anything about this either. Appears to be a fairly new set of laws - at least it looked like they came into effect in 2002, 2003 and 2005.  Makes me wonder why the macon, etc. didn't inform me of the law when I paid in cash in excess of the legal amount.  Either they don't know or don't care or don't plan to declare ... We have come to learn so many French laws the hard way.  Hence the book idea.  Maybe I should spend an hour every day just reading the service-public website.  Probably would find it frighteningly eye opening.  Have read many other types of books regarding the legalities of living in France, but NONE of them have been very accurate.  In fact, most of them have been totally wrong.  It is extremely hard to accept the fact that the laws in this country can vary from department to department.  Maybe the laws don't vary, but how they are enforced, or not, does (not sure). Anyway, thanks a million for that.  This is a great forum !

I would agree.  Don't leave wine - a bit too ordinary around here.  My French friends really seem to like Scotch or some sort of nice Whiskey...  

Thank you so much for the clarification.  It is amazing these days that we must live our own lives based on the fact that whom ever we are dealing with are criminals and will draw us up into their little web of deceit ( a word I had to look up in French - "tromperie").  It is equally amazing that we (the client thinking he/she has paid legally) can actually be pursued - well now I know.  No more paying anything large with cash .... Learn something new every day ! I do wish there was a place where we could really read about the laws of this country.  That will be my next book search ..  I'm sure they are out there.  I think I need one.. Merci !

Have to admit, our most difficult guests were from, you guessed it, New York...

Andyh4 - I was never aware of this.  How can I keep abreast of these types of issues.  Have never seen it on any of the French governmental websites that I know about.  Bank has never told me anything of this nature - granted, I had not asked.  Can you advise?  Where can I read about these things?  French or English, either works. Can't the same argument go to the restaurant that accepts nothing but cash - no credit cards and perhaps, doesn't record all his/her payments to the tax man?.  And, the shopkeeper who sells me a 400 Euro appliance, I pay cash for and he/she records something different..?  These may not be above a 2000 Euro mark, but the same argument would apply no? If my macon has given me a legal facture, I pay it in cash and he gives me a receipt for my payment, isn't that where MY responsibility ends and his begins?  I have my facture and my receipt of payment.  If he doesn't record or report it, he would be in error, how could I be?  

Coco - you know you will find sympathy from me... Only our experience was with American kids (don't get me started).  We don't get many children in our gite bookings.  I suppose we have been lucky.  Originally we stated no children under the age of 6.  After our experience this year, we decided NO CHILDREN OF ANY AGE.  Too much damage was done and the noise level, among too many other very unpleasant things - one of which was needing to lock myself in my own home too, was just too much.  Going out ONLY when they were out - which wasn't often enough. We actually decided to take a break from the whole thing.  We do already have a couple of bookings for 2006 and we will, of course, keep those (no children).  But, have decided perhaps we are not cut out for this type of thing. I don't know why parents are not more concerned about teaching their children proper manners and basic respect.  I have an 11 year old daughter and I can assure you she knows the rules.  When she was 4 or 5, I doubt I would have taken her to an establishment like a B&B.  We rarely took her out to restaurants (short of the family type).  It never bothered us.  We wanted to wait until she was more capable of handling it.  I have always been aware that other folks are not too keen on hearing your (or anyone else's except their own) kids running around playing/screaming, etc. It is a terrible position to be in to have to discipline someone else's child.  But it becomes quickly evident when the parents don't care and leave you with no other choice. If you find that you don't have all that many guests with children, then I doubt your business would suffer if you decide not to accept them.  If you get children very often, you could find otherwise.  I guess only time will tell. Anyway, you have my sympathy.

I paid our macon more than 2000 Euros for some work he did.  He gave me the facture (TVA INCLUDED !) and I paid him in cash.  To me, there is no difference between check and cash.  As long as you pay from a legal facture, I don't see the difference.  I had the money in the house at the time (don't normally).  He took it and gave me my receipt.  How can that be illegal?

Is that to say that it is illegal to say buy a car with cash (over 3000 euros)?? You've got to be kidding me...  Is this true?

We came here four years ago (Dept. 84) when our daughter was 7 years old.  She had the benefit of having attended a private French school in California prior to our move here.  That school was probably the poorest excuse for  a school I have ever seen and it made me really scared to think we might be seeing the same thing once we arrived in France.  Not at all - thank goodness.  I too have heard some horrible nightmares about both schools and children (by both the school staff AND the parents), but I think it all depends on how you arrive, how you treat others and your own children. Our experience has been exceptional.  Our daughter has ended the last two years number 1 in her classes.  She is not an easy child either.  She begins college in September and I know she is a bit nervous, but if my interview with the college (when I brought all her papers in to register her) is any example of what we can expect, we will be fine. I'm glad to read the positive experiences too.  But, just like everything in life there are the not so positive too.  

Lizzie - happened to me too !  Deposited a GBP check and NEVER saw the funds !!!  3 months later, Bank in Scotland blaming bank in France.  Bank in France blaming bank in Scotland !  I suspect the problem was the bank in FRANCE ...   Luckily for me, the check was from my husband, so he simply canceled it and wrote me another one. This also happened on a WIRE TRANSFER....  waited 3 weeks for it to show up.  Normally takes 3 to 5 days.  Have to say that Credit Agricole is horrible with customer service, trying to track down your own money is incredible ...

Yes, with our branch of Credit Agricole, you would need to advise them in advance.  Here, they no longer handle cash (hard to believe, but true) and would probably be giving you a bank check anyway.  I'm sure the cash could be ordered, but you would need to give them some notice.  Amazing huh..

Do it all the time.  The 30 Euro fee will be obligatoire, plus the exchange rate.  4 days is the norm.    

Thanks Chocccie.  I already keep the water off when brushing, except to rinse the brush, but I had not thought of doing the same thing in the shower.  I will start immediately.  And, I have a large bucket in the garage.  I will give it a try in the shower.  I'm sure you're right, one needs to have good balance for this, but these days, I think we have to do every thing we can. I'll look for the natural soap/shampoos.  Thanks.

How can I save the shower water?  Do you buy a big bucket and place it in the shower and stand in it when you shower?  Really, I'm serious.  I would like to save the water I can, but I'm not sure how this is done.  Also, when you say use natural products, what exactly does that mean?  Is there a natural shampoo I can use or do I have to remove the bucket from the shower when I'm washing my hair. Don't laugh, I really would like to do this, but have never had to in the past, so don't know the "how to's." Please advise.

I would suggest a small breed dog since you don't really have a garden.  You don't say how much grooming you might be willing to do, but this can come into play when choosing a breed.   Also temperament, many breeds are quite friendly and "barky," others not at all.  A little Internet searching can give you some suggestions. Do check with your local SPA.  They could well have the perfect pup for you (and cat for that matter) and you would be doing such a good service in giving him/her a home.  However, if you plan to have a cat too, you might not want to take on an adult dog.  It has been my experience that lots of adult dogs cannot accept a cat hanging around all the time and vice versa. If you want to get a cat and a dog, then you might want to get them both young and at the same time as they will be forced to become friends at a young age.  At least it sounds more sensible to me, but others may have a different take on this.  I have a dog, no cat (am allergic to them). I have several friends who bought kittens and have never let them out of the house.  They are now adult cats and seem quite happy.  They get lots of exercise running all around large homes and playing with the kids. As to leaving the dog outside on the terraced area.  You will have to play that by ear.  I would imagine you would need to walk the dog fairly often to give it the exercise it needs (and wants).  If you do leave the dog inside the house, you must take into account the potty breaks he/she will need.  Puppies need more than adults on that note.  A puppy can be fairly easily house trained - not to go inside.  Most adult dogs know better, unless you adopt one that has never lived in the house.  An important question to ask when adopting. Good luck.  Animals can bring such joy to a person.

Hooray - give us some more...

Being American and having moved to France from Southern California, I can tell you the colored hair and pierced everything are definitely commonplace in public schools (at least in S. CA).  I too do not believe that religion should be part of the public school system.  I believe it should remain a personal subject.  But, having grown up in North Carolina, I can tell you I would fall into a minority there. I've read "poems" like this before.  I too could not tell whether the poster is really serious or just posting a funny?  Since this is the Lighter Side, I am guessing maybe just posting a funny...  Maybe he/she will tell us.

I have never stayed in a B&B.  I'm sure I will one day, but at least I understand the concept now.  Alan - I like your website.  Your rooms look really nice.  Don't know Miki's website, but would imagine he runs a nice place too - always booked, sounds good. We have run a gite (part of our family home, but well separated) for the last couple of years.  I have to agree pleasing all the people all the time is an intense challenge.  Most of us have to completely change our lifestyles in order to run this type of business.  As has been said, if you don't like it, you don't do it.  Actually having people IN my own home (such as B&B) would be something I couldn't do.  I have always had the utmost respect for people who can, especially after having run the gite for the last two years.  But, I do believe that a certain amount of respect must be given to the property owner.  Know and follow the rules.  If you don't like them, don't book there.  Pretty simple really.  I wouldn't begin to try to tell someone else how to run his/her business - unless he/she asked.

Missyesbut:  Absolutely hilarious (maybe not)..  This is our last year renting our gite out (lower portion of our family home) after a very unpleasant experience, but not like your story....   We do still have repeat customers already booked for 2006, but won't take anyone new.   I have to say that I am most grateful to stone structures.  We really don't hear much of anything coming from down there (so to speak).  I have an 11 year old child, that is the last thing I need to keep us up at night. Part of the same mentioned "bad experience" we had were customers here for two weeks who refused the Saturday cleaning (which I pride myself in doing), change linens, clean kitchen, bathroom, vacuum, mop, etc..  That was part of a huge bunch of signals.  From that moment forward the Saturday cleaning is obligatoire and is noted in the contract.  After two weeks it took me 9 hours to clean the place and try to repair the damages. So, Miki - I would remind all folks at booking that breakfast is served between "these hours" and cleaning is obligatoire during "these hours," requiring the room to be vacated for the cleaning.  Normal people will respect and appreciate that.  You probably already do this.  There are always those "special" people.  

Not sure how the law reads as far as how far a child lives from the closest bus stop, but here, in our village of 3300 people, a new large bus stop was created in the village.  All children from this village are expected to take the bus from that stop and be returned to that stop at the end of the day.  It is quite large and can accommodate several buses at one time and also many parent's cars (waiting for the bus to arrive/depart with their children safely aboard).  There are other nearby villages - 3 or 4 kms away who have their own stops too. Our daughter will begin college in September and I have resigned myself that I will be up taking her to the bus stop (2 kms from house) each morning and picking her up each evening.  This isn't free either, though the cost is a minimal 140 Euros for the year.  I just chalk this up to having children.  I have always gotten up to take our daughter (and two neighbor's kids whose parents both work) to school every day.  It just seems the way it is... Probably not the answer you were looking for.

Yes, definitely...  having lived here four years now (Vaucluse) and living with strict water usage laws every Spring/Summer, I would have considered other areas of France.  I love life here, but every summer we are inundated with fires in the region and everything dies and turns to dust.  Not a pretty picture.  Then, often when it does actually rain, we have inundations due to the earth being so dry.  Also, the toing and froing as it has been said is another thing I didn't really consider.  Have to drive 35 minutes to find any real shopping.  Luckily the Sous Prefecture can help with most official things and that is only 15 minutes, but the shopping thing can really push the buttons.  I guess, in one way, it is good as I always think twice before I actually bite the bullet and use all that petrol to buy a thing or two.

I have to agree with what Eslier had to say.   It is nearly impossible to get anything official done here in August.  If you had made the appointment far in advance, perhaps, but to try to work it out now would probably be very difficult. I realize 600 Euros is a bit of a bite to the wallet, but overall, it might be worth it to you if she will agree (in writing) to be out by a date that is okay with you. Legal?  Good question, I think only the Notaire could give you the true answer. Good luck to you.  

Just wondering if anyone is located near Avignon.  Am feeling a bit lonely, husband overseas, daughter visiting Gramma and would love to meet for a coffee - glass of wine, etc.  I am at the foot of the Mt. Ventoux, but can easily reach Avignon or the surroundings villages. Lori