Bones

[quote user="Benjamin"]Gluestick I claim the prize for introducing the very affable John Prescott into this thread. This was not to poke any sort of fun at him because that was/is his nature to respond to goading but I don't think when they voted for Sarko they expected to get their own version of Johnny 2 Jags. [/quote] Actually, I was going to graciously acknowledge that in my post but the sentences we're already long and rambling; very French in fact! (wilts under Claire's disapproving, all seeing gaze). [:P]

The differences between English and French swearing precludes any truly accurate, literal translation. It's the attitude he adopted more than anything. You just can't see the same confrontation happening with Chirac, who, incidentally, must be peeing his sides... Sarkozy has opened himself up to this kind of insult, Mr unconventional; always there with a controversial soundbyte and matey demeanour. Since becoming the head of state he's supposed to be walking around with a general air somewhere between Gordon Brown and the Queen, instead he's John Presscot at his bellicose best.

Agreed Edward, but let's try and avoid hypocrisy. [:)]

[quote user="Edward"]You have stirred up some memories Sweet. My wife and I were back in the UK last February, do I miss it? yes and no. The England I miss no longer exists. Some areas are slow to change, thank goodness but will catch up eventually. The once pretty villages are less pretty, people seem to be very stressed and  the roads are a nightmare. I find the language in some parts difficult to understand, with so many people 'finking about free farsand fings anat'. We did visit one Town, near where we once lived. Most of  the language we heard during the day was foreign, the indigenous people were  probably at work.  Here in France, my wife can walk down the street at night alone and pass groups of youngsters without fear. We can drive greater distances in a shorter time on very good uncrowded roads. I could go on and on about the good and the bad of France and England. At the end of the day we live in a country that suits us best at the moment. That, is not to say that we would never return to 'Blighty', after all it is our Mother Country, regardless of what the Politicians do to it. There will always be an England!!!!! [/quote] Hmm. Probably exactly what the French think when they see all us Brits/Dutch/Germans loafing around, perhaps the Polish etc folk in Britain are only there because "it suits them best at the moment" and you can move back as they move out? Still, that wouldn't avoid your main problem, that will never go away, white scally Brits and small minded reactionaries. I returned to Britain after 18 months, for a funeral, and haven't been back since. Unfortunately I can't stand what Britain has become and neither could I abide what I imagine Edward's utopian image of Britain to be. I like France though. Horses for courses. Driving was a bit strange but you soon get used to it again. You do tend to be a bit more friendly and open, I found people a bit wary of me for that! [:D]

Agreed, essentially, on both points Gluestick. However I don't think Bush needed to buy the Presidency, in fact I believe the Republican party doesn't actually spend that much on its campaigns. Tis the war that got him back in, despite the backlash, curious... I think Nico might have a go at hurrying along the death of the unions in France anyway and has just the right amount of hubris to believe he could win. In his favour, I feel that France is gradually closing that gap between its rickety old self and the UK/US and if Sarko thinks that the people who put him into power would side with him and his vision when it came to le crunch, then he'd give it a whirl. He seemed to weather the banlieue controversy ("I'll sweep this scum off the streets") pretty well given his subsequent election as Prez. If you look at the recent employment changes they tried to implement for young workers (which, I didn't think was all that bad an idea given the state of things) it was Chirac who pulled the plug and the PM who took the fall. I just don't see Sarko pulling the plug quite so easily. In fact, Sarko's 'vision' would require - one would think - exactly the sort of measures the above example alludes to; I doubt he'll shy away from at least one similar reform during his Presidency, do you? I mean, there's only so many times he can say, "look, I'll do it, just give me a little bit more time". Given that the already militant French will be just waiting for any such opportunity to bash Sarko on the streets I can see one hell of a battle coming up. In short (if you'll pardon the pun) I think Sarkozy is more Bolshevik than  Menshevik. Or perhaps you're right and I'm giving him far too much credit. He'll retire early with Carla, sit around in his presidential underpants all day. [+o(]

Funnily enough I've just read a piece in Time magazine covering exactly the same issue! It felt good, knowing that my idea had value in the real world, and then there was a sort of empty feeling knowing that there's not an original thought in my noggin. [:P]

Yes, there's definitely an element of "if you can't beat 'em join 'em" running through this thread. [:D] Or, to put a positive spin on things, we're integrating nicely... I think the previous poster's Arc De Triomphe anecdote is a nice analogy for why anarchy would work. Where I lived in England, there was a quite large crossroads with two sets of lights (well, four). Occasionally they'd malfunction and it usually took quite a while to get them back up and running. It was interesting to note that - even during rush hour - there were no accidents whatsoever, not even any beeping of horns: folk just got on with it. Why? Because the population, even at their most stressed and selfish (I HAVE to get home for the kids etc) knew that the best way forward was to respect each others needs. Common goals and all that. So the traditional lack of rules on French roads and subsequent ignoring of newly implemented  rules can be traced back to their revolutionary past; it's the title of my imaginary PhD. [Www]

[quote user="crépuscule"]I thought the link to france.about.com was good until I tried the test! I re-read the explanations then re-did the test & did much better the second time (too modest to give the score!) The situations that confuse me are when it's either "being familiar with something" which is connaitre or "knowing a fact" which is savoir. I have convinced myself that you can use both in the same sentence, e.g. "Je connais les paroles de La Marseillaise mais je ne les sais pas." i.e. "I am familiar with the words of La Marseillasie but I don't know them (by heart)." Is this acceptable? [/quote] It wouldn't work in English, as you pointed out you'd have to add "by heart", you'd probably do the same in French if you used your example (employing the literal translation of  "by heart"). The only sort of exception I can think of is when you hear French people say "Oui, je le sais mais... blah blah blah"; not "je sais" but "je le sais". I think it's like saying "I know all to well", or "I"m aware of the fact".  [:)]

The use the inner lane when it's busy, or when it offers up a quicker route to getting on the roundabout!

[quote user="Gluestick"]Sadly, I fear that le petit Nicolas's chance to affect any meaningful change, has been frittered away in his totally evaporated credibility!   [/quote] Yeah, but look at how they ridiculed Bush jr and he managed a second term... He's very comfortable where he is and I predict a war of some sort if a strong centrist or socialist candidate surfaces. Surely that's his only remaining chance to appear Presidential? Bora Bora is just asking for it! [:@]

I think Sarkozy's ultimate dream aim is to pen a new constitution, never mind transform the economy. He is indeed a poor man's Napoleon. I had to laugh when I saw his plan for revitalizing the French housing estates: buy your own council house and tons more police! A war on drugs - yeah because we all know how well that kind of thing works, don't we? Sounds very tired and familiar. The changes he wants to make will bring the unions out and he'll try and crush them, it's a necessary part of his Thatcherite plan: he can't go straight into Blair mode, France isn't set up for it. He'll no doubt need a Falklands or Iraq to bag a second term, you can see he's already preparing for that when you take into account Kuschner's (illegal) bellicose comments on Iran.   If he goes ahead with things there'll be blood on the streets and eventually - if he wins and manages to hang on for years to come - France will resemble Britain: a nascent US with all associated social breakdown and insane consumerism. Either that or he'll be a lame duck that we'll look back at and laugh.

I'm clueless when it comes to money but here's my clumsy take on things anyway. The UK housing market has exploded in recent years, is beginning to stall and will decline. The French market - if we're talking village houses, fixer uppers - has exploded too thanks to foriegn buyers (5k houses the French didn't want that are now worth more like 50k and have been for a few years now, certainly where I live). The French economy, meanwhile, has been and continues to be garbage whilst the UK's economy has been relatively booming. If Thatcherite/Blairite Sarkozy achieves his aim of turning France into Britain (economically/socially speaking) then French house prices should gradually rise: more jobs, less stringent employment control, increased consumer confidence and a whole different attitude towards credit and buying. So, we might see a boom in new builds and young French couples that traditionally rent until they have a hefty deposit to put down might fall into the trap of borrowing huge sums with tiny deposits. I'm guessing that a lot of those old village houses may be bought up by French youngsters with new-found job security, then sold on when they can afford the dream new build. (The French people I know don't currently play this game). Either that or the French economy will remain stagnant and the housing market will be pretty stable for some time to come. My advice would be to market your UK house at the projected  price for the end of 2008, let's say 10% lower than it 's 'worth' now. Bank the cash, assuming there is any. Rent in France. When the exchange rate improves (if it does) transfer the money over and maybe buy in France. If, on the other hand, you don't fancy France as a long term bet after renting then you can go back to Blighty and buy your old house back cheap at auction after the crash. Sorted!  [8-)]

I knew Whittaker would be too hot for the mods to handle. [:D]

Post edited by the moderators for copyright reasons. Link to the lyrics: http://www.stlyrics.com/songs/r/rogerwhittaker8382/durhamtown288980.html Janis Joplin couldn't half belt 'em out. Dylan should've stuck to song writing for the likes of Janis to sing, and let's not forget her last words: "hughrrrgh - cough - cough - krrrrr...". [+o(]

[quote user="Pads"]I love Bob Dylan , Lay lady lay being my fave, I also love neil young and After the gold rush[:)][/quote] Forgot to add - I think that was a great album too Pads.

We are still talking about Roger here, aren't we? I blinkin well hope so! Dylan, I never really got into him to be honest. I listened to a couple of his albums as a teenager, I loved his edgy acoustic stuff but the electric stuff sounded a bit too, well, middle of the road for me to be honest (bear in mind I was 15). Recently, however, I've been thinking of tracking down some more of his stuff, now that I'm ancient myself. 35! The horror... So, Blonde On Blonde is a must if I remember correctly. I had a copy of Highway 61 but can't remember liking it much, so that will also have to be procured. Any other suggestions? Has anybody seen that strange new biopic of old mumbles? Meant to be interesting.

He's such a mumbler though. I prefer a good baritone, clear as a bell. Roger Whittaker, now there's talent! I'll take his sweet whistling over Bob's whiny harmonica any day of the week. [;-)] All together now: I'm gonna leave old Durham town...

I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. (Actually I have no clue).

Pah, Dylan is just soooo samey! [:P]

Just realised this is in the wrong section and the delete permission has expired: can a mod move it please? [:$] Cheers mods. [:D]

I'll post a pic of him later but for now here's a quick description. Tiny little thing, white haired with beige and black spots, found hanging around Villardonnel, 20k north of Carcassonne. We've taken him in for now, he comes and works in the café by day, then returns to play with our much bigger dog Lola by night! He runs off around the village every now and again but always comes back, other than chasing the odd cat he's no bother and everyone loves him. No problems behaviour wise, even though he appears to be still quite young. I've caught him stealing my slippers a couple of times but now that Lola has allowed him one of her teddy bears he seems to have packed that in. He's great with kids, doesn't bark much and is very affectionate. He's happy to travel in cars, doesn't eat much - what else is there to say? Seems a shame that he'd be abandoned, which I think he has. Let me know if you want a loyal little dog that needs a permanent home.

Are those lyrics from I'm only bleedin'?

I've downloaded most stuff for free off the internet (except a lot of the Michel Thomas stuff). Rosetta stuff is okay but I wouldn't pay for it, Pimsleur is very good and moves along quickly. Thomas is great for beginners and gets pretty advanced later on - perhaps a little too late and not quite enough. Would like to try out the Hugo stuff now. I've lived here for three years now and my French is still pretty garbage, it helps if you're outgoing, which I'm not. [:D]

Taking the pee out of you, as I'm sure you've already worked out. There's a garage where we lived in the UK that used to do similar stuff. My mate took his works van in for a minor braking problem, they said they'd take a look at it, he returned later that afternoon and the entire front end was in bits - they handed him a ridiculous quote for a huge amount of work. He told them they had an hour to get it put back together, which they did! All depends on how you deal with them, there's a lot of hard faced rip off artists out there, it's just sad. You really need to see the police and/or a solicitor and if you've got anything to say to them in future make sure you send it in writing - registered post - otherwise it's just your word against theirs.

Well said Puca and good luck.