Just Katie

Crisis over [:)] Landlady has intervened and is sorting it out for me. Should have done that in the first place.  She has told me that it is not the norm for a plumber to sit there and wait for any form of up front payment and that they took advantage of an innocent foreigner.  So take heed.

OK to be more specific, the taps are broken to a build up of calcium (I think).  I did not accept the devis, I said I would get back to him after I had spoken to my husband.  He insisted I pay the call out charge which would be deducted. As for travel, this is Paris not rural France.  He was at my home within 15 mins. I feel like an idiot because in the UK, they give you a quotation and leave it with you.  It was not a call out charge as such where I needed his help.  The hot water is switched off AND I know what the problem is.

[quote user="5-element"] In any case, what can you do about it now, if you have already paid the 105? Was that the call-out charge? If it is, it is VERY high. [/quote] Thanks 5E.  You are right, there is nothing I can do about it now but I can make sure this sort of thing does not happen again.

Come on!!  Hurry up someone I am bouncing here [:@]  

I have just had a plumber to my apartment and am still in shock.  The taps broke in my bathroom and they need changing.  He gave me a devis of 510 euro and a facture of 105 euros which he demanded I pay up front.  He told me when I get the job done the amount paid will be deducted from the 510 euro So, have I been ripped off or is this the norm? I am feeling a bit vunerable because I don't get done that often [:@]

More Welsh?  That cannot be a bad thing...........................can it??[blink]

[quote user="cassis"][quote user="Just Katie"] C'est vrai!  Et aussi j'ai l'attitude des Parisiennnes [:D] [/quote] C'est Katie la parigote désormais!  [:)] [/quote] Was does aht mean en? [:D]

[quote user="Clair"][quote user="Just Katie"]Welcome Atty. Anything you need to know about France, (culture, language, finance etc) you know where I am [:)].  I have been living here for nearly two weeks now and know it all. [/quote] Priceless! [:-))][:-))] [/quote] C'est vrai!  Et aussi j'ai l'attitude des Parisiennnes [:D] I wrote that all by myself [:)]

Another friend Jacqui? Not that I am counting or anything.  It is just that I am Welsh and can't resist asking. Welcome Atty. Anything you need to know about France, (culture, language, finance etc) you know where I am [:)].  I have been living here for nearly two weeks now and know it all.

Thank you Lorna [:)] Well she has had the most awful start in life hasnt she?  But how lucky was she to stumble across you two? Anyway, all the best. Xx

My pleasure [:-))]

Sorry to hear that Ali.  If I remember correctly, was Ellie was the cat you acquired when you got to France or was she one that travelled with you from the Ards?

She is indeed, poor thing.  But it doesnt matter they do actually have English heritage dont they so they have something going for them at least [;-)]

I quite like her actually, she makes me laugh but dont tell anyone [:D]

Do you think I am starting to sound like Jura? [:-))]

Yes WB I agree, some people who have said this to me are reasonable young people and when I point out that it was their 'grandfathers' who ripped us off, the penny drops with them. Very few have said it more aggresively to the embarrasment of their friends.  Afterall, and especially in youth, there is a runt in every pack who tries to impress the alpha!! When we bought our house, the local builder approached us and said he would have loved that house for his son.  His son could no longer afford to buy in the village and needed a house like ours 'cheap for renovation'.  I expressed my surprise in that it was on the market for a while, I lived in UK and he lived around the corner.  Another example of someone too lazy to get off their posterior as WB politely puts it

If it were your party Cathy I doubt you would really care but children break your heart dont they?  It happens in the UK.  There may have been a bug going around, they may not have been, it could have been coincidence.  What I would look at is if the mothers of the absentees are close mates, then I think I would smell a rat and if they shrug at you in the playground sod 'em!  What else can you do?  You can worry over people and things that you have no control over all your life but where will that get you? As long as you are respectful and kind to people, you can hold your head up. I would bet you know all that anyway so I thought I would give you a little reminder [:)]

Hi Franc,  Firstly how old are your children and what do they think of moving to France? Secondly, where will you find work? If you use the search box at the top right hand corner, you should come across lots of threads regarding trades setting up business in France.  I dont know if you are aware, but it is quite difficult to actually start a business due to all the red tape,  unlike the UK.  Also, your equivalent to NI contributions will be high.  Again use the search button for 'cotisations'.  If you cannot find what you want there are many forum users who will be able to give you good advice or, better still, you could contact a French accountant for specific advice.  Many of them speak English to acquire clients like you. Thirdly, have you thought where you would like to live?  If you have decided, would you consider it wise to buy immediately or rent for a while first to see if you really like it? There, I think that is enough to be getting on with. As for your original question,  I have certainly met people, especially the young in their early 20's who are starting to resent the fact that they cannot afford to buy.  I spoke to a young lad the other night who blamed the British for purchasing all their property and pushing the price up.  I then corrected him and reminded him actually, the French sold us the property and 'ripped us off' in the process.  I told him to get over it, it is the same throughout Western Europe where the young can no longer afford to buy and is certainly not perculiar to the French market. However, most of the French I have met are very nice, even in Paris! [:)]  Oh, except for the young Parisenne girls who are beautiful, they think the world owes them a favour.  I hope my son marries a Welsh Cariad!!!

Thank you 5e.  I may venture out of Paris for a more 'villagey' and warm feel then.

I have been to many rock concerts and festivals in UK and have never recalled anyone wearing earplugs yet I went to see Bruce Springsteen the other night in Paris and I reckon about 30% of the crowd were plugged.  I find that awfully strange behaviour.

[quote user="odile"]what is/are your favourite/s? For moi - Gruyere and Stilton! [/quote] Dairylea.  Anthea Turner did a nice little apero recipe the other day.  Take a few slices of Mothers Pride and cut out little circles with a glass.  Toast them then take a tube of Primula and apply a swirl then garnish with a prawn and a teeny triangle of cucumber. Do you think the French would fall for that?

Bet you dont mess about with her Gastines [:D].  What is her shoesize?

OK, I like the sound of that.  We rented a Gite a few years back in central France.  I know it passed the top of the street but I did not go out to see it because I thought it would be just bikes. I could be on Champs Elysees this year to watch it with a nice bottle of Blue Nun to share with fellow revellers. [:)] 

Yes, some forum members may turn up for a picnic [:-))] Sorry Melmoth, I couldnt resist, but I have bumped your post to the top in the meantime.  Goodluck [:)]

[quote user="sweet 17"]My American friend claims to be English when she is over here in France![/quote] Yes Sweet, I have spoken to a few Americans who consider doing the same.  I think they carry the same sort of apology as the Germans which is quite sad.  I would hate to feel that I were accountable for the political descisions of my country