MrCanary Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 For somebody who wants to live in France, the hardest things about NOT living there at present are quite numerous for me...1) Having to say goodbye to our wonderful, gorgeous, family-like French next-door-neighbours. He and she and me and my lovely wife just hug and kiss so much before we drive off back to Blighty.2) When I return to England after a break at my lovely French home and have to start driving on English roads again.3) Having returned to England, going to the supermarket and being surrounded by rude people who never apologise if they knock into me.4) Excitedly travelling back to France for another visit and having to endure smug British individuals who spend most of the ferry trip making sure everybody knows they have a house in France (probably just like almost everybody sitting around them...)5) And finally, wondering what next obstacle will be thrown in our path when we again get close to moving to France... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I think I would agree with all that. Apart from number 1. Because they aren't my neighbours.And number 4. Because I haven't been on a ferry in about 30 years.And number 5 too actually. As I live here already.So really, I can only relate to 2 and 3. [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plod Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I quite like going through the supermarket queue in England without having to wait while the cashier goes off to check on something, and while people pay with a cheque, and then pack their shopping, and while others pay with a hundred vouchers which have to be scanned individually. Otherwise, I don't find French supermarkets any different from English ones - people still get in the queue while their partner is shopping or leave stuff on the belt while nipping off for another few bits and pieces. If a new till opens those at the back of the queue invariably rush to the front of the new one etc etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterG Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Ahhhhhhhhh.........the joys of shopping rage. It must be a man thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 [quote user="plod"]I quite like going through the supermarket queue in England without having to wait while the cashier goes off to check on something, and while people pay with a cheque, and then pack their shopping, and while others pay with a hundred vouchers which have to be scanned individually. Otherwise, I don't find French supermarkets any different from English ones - people still get in the queue while their partner is shopping or leave stuff on the belt while nipping off for another few bits and pieces. If a new till opens those at the back of the queue invariably rush to the front of the new one etc etc[/quote]That's alright because they pack their shopping while the cheque is being processed. It's the ones who are unable to multi task that annoy me. Those who pack their stuff slowly, then open their bags and search through the 50 million different wallets they have in order to find their cheque book, and then they write in the stub before handing the cheque over.....I have a trick with shopping. I always go at lunch time. When the french are busy eating. Weeks shopping done in 15 minutes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baypond Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 1.Nature - flora and fauna2. not having warm summer evenings sitting outside with a glass of wine and some cheese3. time spent with the children and friends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baypond Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 [quote user="Richard"] I always go at lunch time. When the french are busy eating. Weeks shopping done in 15 minutes![/quote]You are so right.....we do the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemonimo Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I quite agree with Plod - I really don't see much difference between UK and French supermarkets other than the quality/range of products. What did impress me last time I was in Tesco outside Cambridge (after I had recovered from hyperventilating due to the crowds!) was that they employ older women and handicaped people. Bravo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Gemonimo - does that not happen in France? To be fair to the other UK supermarkets, they all employ older people and those folk with handicaps. And I agree, it is great to see this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sprogster Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Mel, the fact that you have gorgeous neighbours in France is more luck of the draw than anything specific to France. You have have been a member of the forum long enough to read the postings of many members in France who appear by contrast to have neighbours from hell!!Likewise, your French supermarket appears to be very different from the French ones I visit, where ignoring the queue is a French national sport and as for driving you clearly are not familiar with French roads in more populous areas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plod Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I also enjoy being able to see the number plate of cars behind me when I'm driving in the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Sprogster, this thread is about my perceptions (and those of others) and not your perceptions of my perceptions...I shop in Leclerc at Loches where, if anyone accidentally bumps into each other, they always apologise...My French home is in the countryside near Loches and my UK one in a similar location in Norfolk. The comparative road surfaces of France are a hundred times better than the UK ones! And from a driving perspective, I love driving in Paris!As for my French neighbours, well I'm sorry if yours are not like that, but in life you reap what you sow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemonimo Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 [quote user="Mel"]Gemonimo - does that not happen in France? To be fair to the other UK supermarkets, they all employ older people and those folk with handicaps. And I agree, it is great to see this.[/quote]Mel, some french supermarkets employ 'older' women, i.e. 40+ and then I suspect they have come up through the ranks. I have never seen post retirement people working at a supermarket in france and certainly never chez Leclerc. I have equally never seen a french cash desk designed for and occupied by an employee in a wheelchair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Gemonimo - that is so sad. Some of the nicest staff members in UK supermarkets are disabled people. And I guess, if I drew comparisons between the staffs in both locations, the UK staff would win - especially in Sainsbury's. But in my original post, although I did not make it clear, I was referring to the customers - you know, people like many of the people on here... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Mel, I'm not far from you and often go into Loches. I'm in Lucay Le Male in 36.I love Loches, beautiful little town.It's where my car was born too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Hi Richard, yes we love Loches and you ae so right about shopping at lunchtimes.Do you have a favourite eating place in Loches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Yes, not sure what it's called but it's in the town centre and normally has seating outside. Think it's opposite an immobiliers and an archway. They do good salads there for about €9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 That must be near the Mairie... When you want to splash out for a three/four course top-notch lunch for 19euros, try the Luccotel - stunning food!I just checked, we live about 40 kms from you. You'll know us if you see us because we are always hugging our neighbours... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancer Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 [quote user="Mel"] As for my French neighbours, well I'm sorry if yours are not like that, but in life you reap what you sow...[/quote]Bloomin eck! I dont know what I have done to deserve my near and distant neighbours, in fact most of the local populace.I must have been a complete b******d in a previous life [:P]I prefer to look on it as part of lifes rich pattern [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Funny you say that because just the other week I was driving through that there village and saw some people hugging away. Now I know why! [:D]Disclaimer... I wasn't really... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Richard - I guess we are so lucky because the people in our village really are like that. We get on so well with almost everyone - including the Maire himself! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 "Mel wrote: As for my French neighbours, well I'm sorry if yours are not like that, but in life you reap what you sow..."Well that told us!."Living in France" by Someone who doesn't....Let's hope it doesn't set a trend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Coeur de Lion Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 [quote user="Mel"]Richard - I guess we are so lucky because the people in our village really are like that. We get on so well with almost everyone - including the Maire himself![/quote]It's the same here. Haven't had any problems with anyone here either. They're all very nice people (well at least to my face lol). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrCanary Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 NormanH - it is quite simple really, you don't have to live in France to achieve that, it applies wherever you go and whoever you speak to - you reap what you sow.Give it a try... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I'm with Gemonimo, Sprogster and NormanH on this one. Human beings are human beings - I think your rose tinted specs are deceiving you... However much they hug you, you will still be 'les anglais'...and will be for, at a guess, the next 50 years or so...if, of course, you're still alive by then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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