Les Français champions du monde du pessimisme

[idun]

Discussed on the Journal de 8 Heures, France 2 last night.

People were interviewed and no one seemed surprised. I know my french friends and acquaintences love to have a good moan about things, but really doesn't everyone. I wouldn't say that they were generally more miserable than anyone else I know and I do know people from a few countries.

Are the french feeling even more negative than everyone else in this current climate?

 

[pachapapa]

Too much gallic pessimism can cause a "flush of "honte"".

http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2012/04/03/le-sort-des-diplomes-etrangers-est-indigne_1679664_3232.html

[5-element]

This is such an interesting issue. It brings up the fact that the French are number one users of prescribed tranquillisers, anti-depressants and sedatives. Also something about high number of work-related suicides.

I wonder if there is any relation to the state of semi-permanent tension and apprehensiveness that "something awful is about to happen". Personally I feel very insecure in France in very specific ways - look at what just happened to Clair with the ridiculous 28,000 the RSI are suddenly demanding of her. Twice now I was at the receiving end of something as awful, with a French state agency blocking my bank accounts without any warning in a case of mistaken identity. The knowledge that they can do that sort of thing any time, and with impunity, is something that keeps me on my guard all the time - I know it can happen again, and when it does it is kafkaesque. Since then, I never, ever open my letterbox without a little frisson of apprehension - just in case. So, OK, we don't live in a banana republic (sorry Wooly), not quite, but one can never ignore the possible bureaucratic messes that can occur and make one's life a misery for a while.

This is only one of the aspects of life in France which may account for French pessimism, but it does contribute to feeling insecure, you just never know when THEY will come knocking at the door.[:'(]

[5-element]

PPP - thank you for this very interesting, damning article. It makes one want to spit. But who can we spit at? Who is responsible? Some haut-fonctionnaire, or the lower ones, or both? How to sort the good from the bad, since it ends up as "the facelessness of bureaucracy". Could we ever have a head of state who changes all that?

[Chiefluvvie]

Yep - a pretty shameful article but not really that surprising when you consider how difficult it is for even an EU national to find work in France. So protectionist and xenophobic. How often are you served or serviced by anyone non-French - pretty rare in my experience.

As for the pessimism - well you only have to look around. Not 'often' you see people smiling, hear them whistling or having a good time. In fact it seems to be the young that have faces like slapped ar*es! Lots of miserable faces and folded arms and looking down noses. Nothing to do with the economic climate by the way - just a cultural thing.

I make a point of walking along or entering any establishment with a smile on my face - I'm sure loads of people must think I completely mad!!

Chiefluvvie :-)

[Mr Ceour de Lion II]

From my perspective, France is a wonderful place to live - if you have money.

This is only my opinion and what I have personally experienced, but I felt when I had to make money in France, my every move was blocked. To start up a business was a nightmare, the auto entrepreneur scheme that looked good to begin with, is a complete rip off, and finding work is nigh impossible. It always felt like I was being punished for trying to work.

Since I moved to the States, I have found opportunities that I have never had before, and although I'm not allowed to work on my visa, I feel that there is far less oppression here. When I finally am allowed to work, I hope to take one of the many opportunities that have already come my way.

I know that is a very narrow view of things, but I've always felt that about France, if you don't have to work, it's great, but as soon as you do, then it feels like you are punished for it. Guess that's socialism for you, I don't know.

[Frederick]

Many years ago I was told that French children are taught  in school that all their  needs can be found within France . That their earned  money  should be spent on French goods and they should not go outside France for holidays for example .Whatever type of holiday they want ski or beach  they can have it within France ...  I have noticed with my French neighbours  with whom  I get on very well  and have invited to stay with me in the UK  ..They do not want to travel outside their comfort zone .They have said they could never drive in the UK on the other side of the road ...and when they have been out in my car have said they find it strange just being in a car with right hand drive ..

I have however noticed more and more French speakers in  the UK shops these days ...but mainly young people .

Perhaps these young travellers will return to their home towns and pass on the news that the grass in France is not greener when it comes to living and working in France .... I suspect the French have been a bit brainwashed into believing nobody can do anything better than they can.

I am sure they hate change but in this world at this time there is change a plenty going on so they had better get used to it  ... Maybe they will be happier when they do ?

[Chiefluvvie]

May account for the fact that over 300,000 French nationals live in and around London alone!

More opportunities, less bureaucracy, more competition, better wages etc etc

Chiefluvvie

[Quillan]

Two out of the four daughters of my French neighbour live and work in the UK, they have also married English men (they say English men have better manners and are better looking but then us chaps know this already [;-)] ). Appartently there are more French living in London than in Nantes or Lille (the latter has around 280k Source). It is also said that the French population in the UK is around the 500k mark (source).

As far as French holidaying outside of France well all I can say is that my BIL lives in Spain and made a point last year of saying that they have never seen so many French many of whom had driven there. Large numbers of French also holiday in ex French dependencies which are also big draws for the Brits etc especially now that many are offering 'all inclusive' holidays as ridiculously low prices. Most middle and upper class French who have money holiday outside of France and whilst they may take their predetermined holidays in France they take others at different times of the year in other countries.

On the other hand where I live we are close (hour and half drive) to the Spanish border. There is a lot of 'inter marriages' between Spanish and French so many holiday in Spain to visit distant relatives. This group is in addition to those French visiting Spain that I have already mentioned.

The French also take advantage of companies like Ryanair, one only has to stand in the check-in queue and listen. I would also think it depends on the part of France you live, as a French person, as to where you go on holiday.