Just Katie Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Hello Bead,I am truly sorry that you have had those experiences. I had a similar one in Spain, where me and my 15 year old daughter were looking at cheap jewellery, the ones stuck on bits of card and threaded onto a stand. My daughter is one of those kids that every mother wants, a quiet, respectable and mild mannered girl. She touched one of the bracelets and the card fell from the stand because, it had been previously ripped. With that, the shop keeper, a large strongly built middle aged man came screaming in my face in spanish. I tried to explain but it was useless. I walked out of the shop with my daughter whose mouth was trembling. Other shoppers were looking at us and I wanted to cry. When outside, my husband was there with his mate. When they saw my daughter, the friend went into a rage for upsetting and bullying a woman and a young girl but we stopped him from taking it further. I know how you felt in the market but you must remember there are good an bad everywhere. The town that I visit in France has very friendly residents, whereas, there is another town up the road where I have been told a cafe is closed and, regulars are served.I must say though that I find the Parisien stigma quite strange and have so far found them to be extremely polite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 [quote user="sid"]And the French kids are more polite.[/quote]Not in our hamlet - I'm afraid our neighbour's child is the most obnoxious individual I have had the misfortune to come across!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 [quote user="Bead"]Thank you so much 5-element, I was begining to feel that saying anything that wasn't nice nice was totally unacceptable. Just a word of aggrement here and there leaves one feeling that one is not losing their mind compleatly.[/quote]Bead I understand what you are saying and often feel like that on the CF forums - hence my comments to wb above. Although we have had some negative experiences (and, for a number of reasons, wouldn't choose to live here permanently) our experience with the other residents in our village (with the exception of child otherwise known as Damien (666)) have been good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 [quote user="Scooby"][quote user="sid"] And the French kids are more polite.[/quote]Not in our hamlet - I'm afraid our neighbour's child is the most obnoxious individual I have had the misfortune to come across!![/quote]So now we have a balance. Sids 'kids' are more polite and Scoobys are not.After a while this "my balls bigger than your ball" stuff just gets so irritating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 [quote user="Bugbear"][quote user="Scooby"][quote user="sid"] And the French kids are more polite.[/quote]Not in our hamlet - I'm afraid our neighbour's child is the most obnoxious individual I have had the misfortune to come across!![/quote]So now we have a balance. Sids 'kids' are more polite and Scoobys are not.After a while this "my balls bigger than your ball" stuff just gets so irritating. [/quote]Hence my flippant remark, Gary. I'm afraid I find this whole "the French are like this, the British are like that, the Chinese are like something else" etc, thing rather distasteful. Not so say borderline racist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Cooperlola, I don't recall saying anywhere that French children are less polite than English children rather that the statement made by Sid that French children are politer than Englsh children doesn't hold water. It depends on the child - or more importantly the parents. In the case of the child I was referring to, he has been expelled from two schools already - and he is only three years into his school life. That, by any measure, is not a polite and well behaved child. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mint Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Can't help butting in here. What to you might be a "not polite and well behaved child" might be a child with, say, Autism, or any number of other medical phenomena affecting children that, unless you are an expert in that area, you would not be able to diagnose or understand.Problem or challenging children are not always the little devils that they are made out to be. Years ago, I had a friend with an autistic little girl who invariably threw tantrums in the most public of places. After many unhappy experiences of putting up with people tutting and being directed looks of disgust from other shoppers, she took to giving out a little card which saidYou have just witnessed a piece of typical autistic behaviour. If you are interested in learning more about autism, please contact the National Autistic Society at ..................Don't be too hasty to form conclusions. Even well-experienced medical practitioners sometimes have to take months and run many tests before saying definitely what is causing a child to "misbehave". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 [quote user="Scooby"]Cooperlola, I don't recall saying anywhere that French children are less polite than English children rather that the statement made by Sid that French children are politer than Englsh children doesn't hold water. It depends on the child - or more importantly the parents. In the case of the child I was referring to, he has been expelled from two schools already - and he is only three years into his school life. That, by any measure, is not a polite and well behaved child.[/quote]Profuse appologies Scooby - this was not aimed at you, merely the general tone of this thread! As is no doubt the case for you, I find both pleasant and obnoxious children of all nationalities all over the place (and have definately suffered from the unpleasant effects of appaling kids in the neighbourhood - not here as it happens, but that is only because we only have one neighbour in the immediate vicinity! - safety in lack of numbers, probably.) Having a severe allergic reaction to children myself, and being a fully paid up member of the King Herod Society, I'm not the best person to comment, Sweet 17, but you certainly have a point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 [quote user="sweet 17"]Can't help butting in here. What to you might be a "not polite and well behaved child" might be a child with, say, Autism, or any number of other medical phenomena affecting children that, unless you are an expert in that area, you would not be able to diagnose or understand.Problem or challenging children are not always the little devils that they are made out to be. Years ago, I had a friend with an autistic little girl who invariably threw tantrums in the most public of places. After many unhappy experiences of putting up with people tutting and being directed looks of disgust from other shoppers, she took to giving out a little card which saidYou have just witnessed a piece of typical autistic behaviour. If you are interested in learning more about autism, please contact the National Autistic Society at ..................Don't be too hasty to form conclusions. Even well-experienced medical practitioners sometimes have to take months and run many tests before saying definitely what is causing a child to "misbehave".[/quote]My sister specialises in caring for kids with disabilities - particularly autism / aspergers and she has witnessed his bad behaviour. She, like me, is of the opinion that it is just that - bad behaviour. His parents don't correct him, set boundaries or follow through their threats. As an example he spent the whole evening trying to look up the skirts and pull down the tops of the women present at the village fete. His parents didn't correct him once throughout the evening - they were too busy chatting with their friends and just ignored him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 [quote user="cooperlola"]Profuse appologies Scooby - this was not aimed at you, merely the general tone of this thread! As is no doubt the case for you, I find both pleasant and obnoxious children of all nationalities all over the place (and have definately suffered from the unpleasant effects of appaling kids in the neighbourhood - not here as it happens, but that is only because we only have one neighbour in the immediate vicinity! - safety in lack of numbers, probably.) Having a severe allergic reaction to children myself, and being a fully paid up member of the King Herod Society, I'm not the best person to comment, Sweet 17, but you certainly have a point. [/quote]No problem Cooperlola! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOther Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 [quote user="cooperlola"]Having a severe allergic reaction to children myself, and being a fully paid up member of the King Herod Society...[/quote]That's blown your invite to the Nativity play then Coops [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted December 22, 2007 Share Posted December 22, 2007 Banned the Nativity play instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 I don't know how a comment about the local kids turns into a lecture on autism but I stand by what I said earlier; it's such a change to find that the group of kids, teenagers, who sit in the local bus shelter some evenings all say "bonjour" in a pleasant way and not "wot youse lookin'at" which was so common back in England. I don't excuse the bad behaviour that I found back in UK by putting it down to autism or anything else other than lack of parental control, but I do accept that there are probably some parts of the large cities here where it is equally intimidating to venture at night, it's just been my experience. God forbid that I'm not allowed an opinion. As for racist, that's just plain ridiculous!So, how do I find the French? Charming, mostly. Sid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5-element Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 [quote user="sid"] So, how do I find the French? Charming, mostly. Sid[/quote]Sid, perhaps you could rephrase that:So, how do I find all the French that I know? Charming, mostly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugsy Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 I give up............................................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 [quote user="Scooby"]The thing we have found most difficult though is the lack of privacy / personal space. Our neighbours seem acutely interested in everything we do, invite themselves into the house, etc etc. We have always been pretty private people and, at times, find this a little intrusive and claustrophobic. In fact we put our car in the garage when we are in France far more frequently than we do in the UK - so the neighbours don't know if we are in or out! Likewise, we often leave the shutters closed for the same reason - just so we can have a little private tine...without offending! I guess its just different.[/quote]Just t lighten this rather pointless thread up, can I ask again Scooby, what is it that you have that attracts the woman of your hamlet to you?? Last time you told us how your female neighbour calls you in England and begs you to come back to relieve her boredom, now we learn they practically move in when you're in France, I've lived here for 4.5 years and have only ever had one (rather drunk) neighbour turn up uninvited and I was told it was considered rude to do so, even friends call first! So come one what is it are you a) Rich and generous, b) A George Clooney lookalike or c) Seen as an easy touch??The thought of you arriving in the dead of night and storing your car away brings up images of living next door to Mrs Bouquet!EDITLack of customer service in France is very well known, the same goes for Germany, why is this news to people, you would only be shocked if you had never set foot in France before moving here, now that would be really stupid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 We are obviously such charming, fun people that the neighbours can't keep away [;-)]. Not sure why your neignbours avoid you though Panda...[;-)][:)]ps - Given I'm female, I hope to goodness I don't look like George Clooney! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panda Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 Ha, might be dazzling my wit that scares them off [;-)], I did indeed think you were a man, now I am confused! Do you and OH post on here then or have I completely got the wrong end of the stick.Seriously though, French neighbours are not known for the impromptu visits around these parts, is it just me do all you others have to fight them off?? Now I'm getting a complex.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 HOW DO YOU FIND THE FRENCH ? WELL ................... Cross the channel and here we are ............ [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 [quote user="Panda "]Ha, might be dazzling my wit that scares them off [;-)], I did indeed think you were a man, now I am confused! Do you and OH post on here then or have I completely got the wrong end of the stick.Seriously though, French neighbours are not known for the impromptu visits around these parts, is it just me do all you others have to fight them off?? Now I'm getting a complex..[/quote]No just me posting Panda - I have obviously achieved that unattainable goal....and become as good(?!) as a man [;-)] Seriously - I'm not sure whether our experiences are typical, I just posted our personal experience. We may have just been lucky (??!) - though there is something in your analogy to Mrs Bucket!For those making sweeping statements about the French as a nation - http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/1109821/ShowPost.aspx. There are good people and there are bar-stewards in every race Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WJT Posted December 23, 2007 Share Posted December 23, 2007 [quote user="Panda "] Ha, might be dazzling my wit that scares them off [;-)], I did indeed think you were a man, now I am confused! Do you and OH post on here then or have I completely got the wrong end of the stick.Seriously though, French neighbours are not known for the impromptu visits around these parts, is it just me do all you others have to fight them off?? Now I'm getting a complex..[/quote]Panda, our French neighbours drop in all the time impromptu, so find it very strange that you say yours don't. We have some lovely French neighbours but they have never called prior to popping in. I too am very private so like a little notice not to mention worry about our little dog when they come down our drive. I never pop in and when I have needed to visit I always call prior, but they still don't take notice and pop in at all hours unannounced. However, I don't want this to be taken as a negative because they are lovely. [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weedon Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 In the 6 years I have been here I have found most people to be friendly. I have met the odd one or two I haven't particularly taken to. Only a couple of my neighbours ever visit, just for a chat, and they always ring the front door bell. I sometimes call on them in return but turn down many invitations from them to just pop in for a drink. The other neighbours always make a point of passing the time of day. I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that some of the villagers can't stand the sight of me. I seem to recall it was exactly the same in England, funny that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted December 24, 2007 Share Posted December 24, 2007 Well said Weedon, just like anywhere else really.[6]Pointless thread. Trolls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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