letrangere Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 Val, this is just too depressing for words. What is it about France that makes so many British people today believe it is the panacea for all their ills, be it poor health, no job, no money? And I hate to ask this but does France really want all these people? M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 [quote]Val, this is just too depressing for words. What is it about France that makes so many British people today believe it is the panacea for all their ills, be it poor health, no job, no money? And I h...[/quote]I think it because many people can live in a kind of bubble - they simply get by wthout worrying about the news, local affairs etc because their language skills are not good enough to understand.For some, its quite a relief, esp if you come from a city with a high crime rate etc. In fact I have to admit that I suspect this could easily happen to me too IF I moved full time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 What a lovely expression Russethouse, living in a bubble. That is it exactly and so many do don't thiey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 I find that I can do about a week in the bubble and then I am trying to retune the radio to get the Today programme, or avidly watching TV news. But I know people in the UK who have very little idea of what is going on around them, And others believe they are finding out by reading the D***y M**l... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 At various times I have posted that its important to know yourself before you make a permanent move, and that is just the sort of thing I mean.I would probably be able to deal with shopping, getting services etc, with a bit of practise, but would I ever be able to discuss anything else ?Mr Russethouse, is simply not very gregarious,(except after a few glasses !) so I could be very isolated and/or have to rely on 'expatrica'Tempting though it is to let the world go by while I lived in Finistere, much better for us to perhaps look for a maison secondaire (possibly an apartment) or just have more holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teejay Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 [quote]At various times I have posted that its important to know yourself before you make a permanent move, and that is just the sort of thing I mean.I would probably be able to deal with shopping, getting s...[/quote]Whilst respecting your point of view 'that knowing oneself' is a prerequisite for living in France, it doesn't necessarily give one all the answers to that perplexing question, should we? Sometimes, and I agree not always, one hopefully develops further as a result of being faced with the rather complex situations that are thrown at one living full time in France.Most women can deal with the shopping side of life. Second nature, I suppose. Getting services set up and running, more complicated. Often, I believe people look to fellow Brits, who know the ropes, to set them on the right track. As to discussing the wider issues of life, much more difficult. Good language skills are definitely required at this juncture otherwise 'dry up' occurs pretty rapidly. Only the other day I realised that I was able to read and understand the various notices placed throughout the supermarket. One required people to return faulty, frozen goods. The other gave dire warnings to customers entering the store that entry was forbidden if they were flaunting a bare torso or bare feet. Worse still...both!! Ok, fairly simple stuff, but as far as I'm concerned independence is growing step after slow step. Isolation can become a nightmare for some if they enter this country devoid of language skills. They are generally the ones who choose to return, but I have met a few who have hung on in there and still refuse to learn choosing to mix only with fellow countrymen. Frankly I don't have a problem with that. It's their choice. It just wouldn't be mine. What I do take issue with is when they start slagging off 'The French' as a sort of sport.However 'expatricia' can also be very positive. It's useful to share experiences and discuss minor problems associated with daily life here. That's another way of learning about survival in a different environment.'Tempting to let the world go by' is not exactly the words I would use to describe living in France. If one is really serious about learning to speak the language to a standard that allows normal communication between people, it is bloody hard work. Nothing wrong with maison secondaire. It's just that if I wanted one I'd buy another here.Best wishes J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 My first problem with those that don't learn to parlez vous, is their use of the services. Are the french supposed to cater for their laziness and make sure english speakers are available everywhere........ I ruddy well hope not, we actually pay a lot of money for everything here one way or another, and some things like the health service are in one hell of a financial mess already without having to provide extra service for those they shouldn't have to provide a service for. But this equally applies to many other aspects of life too and the authorities these people have to deal with.Secondly, if people move here and are not prepared to be aware of what is happening in France, still with their brit tv, their moans or mocking of what goes on in the UK, become pathetic. Also one can easily discuss minor and major problems about living in France with french people, they know all about them. And for those such as my self with no talent for language it is very hard. But if I hadn't managed, I certainly wouldn't have stayed here and there is no way I would have wanted to put upon the french people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teejay Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 [quote]My first problem with those that don't learn to parlez vous, is their use of the services. Are the french supposed to cater for their laziness and make sure english speakers are available everywhere.....[/quote]>Also one can easily discuss minor and major problems about living in France with french people, they know all about them.< Good point Teamedup. Possibly in another three years I might be able to do just that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted September 17, 2004 Share Posted September 17, 2004 With that attitude I don't think it'll be that long. OK you will get more and more vocabulary over the years, but the tchat tchat will start long before, I'm sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarkkent Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 [quote]With that attitude I don't think it'll be that long. OK you will get more and more vocabulary over the years, but the tchat tchat will start long before, I'm sure.[/quote]I was with a group of ex-pat Brits the other day and one, who had been in France for 10 years turned to another and asked "How do you say 'some' as in I want some sugar?"The other said "Quelque."They didn't watch French tv (having only a dish not an aerial) nor did they know with any certainty who the French prime minister is.These people don't live in France - they live surrounded by France! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 Quelque.............. thanks for making me smile this morning. Lovely to think of them making fools of themselves. Ten years indeed......... and I know the odd person just as bad, they actually believe that they get by pretty well too, mon oeil! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boghound Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 [quote]I was with a group of ex-pat Brits the other day and one, who had been in France for 10 years turned to another and asked "How do you say 'some' as in I want some sugar?" The other said "Quelque." T...[/quote]But at the "end of the day" it's their chose to speak or not to speak French. The one's who really "press my buttons" are those that use the term "expats" and gather with other expats, and droll on about sitting in the sun eating tasteless cheese and wine they only found out about at "Uni". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 Their choice and us who pay,let's face it these people cannot avoid having dealings with doctors, dentist, opthalmos etc etc at some point. Who are these people who deserve exceptionally special treatment........... it is not a right and if they have been here for several years should be treat with derision and not encouraged in anyway. They chose to come here, let them 'assume'. And if you can't work out how this works. The nurse who doesn't speak english has to go and ask if there is anyone who does...... (time wasted) a supervisor or whoever, who also doesn't has to ask around (time wasted). And this goes on and on and on, they sap the system and cost the system money by using more resources than they should. What do these people do, speak louder, the natives are bound to understand. And it was so nice today. I was at a supermarket counter and the woman next to me started ordering her things, probably scottish the way the little accent came through her french. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boghound Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 [quote]Their choice and us who pay,let's face it these people cannot avoid having dealings with doctors, dentist, opthalmos etc etc at some point. Who are these people who deserve exceptionally special trea...[/quote]Well. I'm affraid it is their choice. As to the fact that, by some perverse route, you seem to think that they are costing you, personally, money. Well so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 Ah, so, these people are doing me a favour are they, I hadn't realised. Well as an old accounts hand, I know what time wasters are and how they affect budgets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 Yes, fair enough, it cetainly is their choice BUT spare a thought for all the people these folk put upon. I get several calls or am stopped when out I am out by persons having lived here for yonks whose French is almost non existant, due to the fact they simply don't want to learn or speak French, "too much hassle" "too much else to do" "too old to learn now?" just a few excuses one gets.TU's point, I think is, that there comes a point when, these normally very kind people, are not in control of their lives anymore in France and so, have to put on the already stretched public resources here. If not the public resource, they will need others to telephone whoever and even have to ask one to go with them as they can't go alone due to their non speaking or the language.Of course let people come here, it's a "free country" as they say (never fully understood that phrase!) but the point is, should you expect others to carry you when the time comes and you are in constant need of someone or persons to aid you all the time just because you haven't the taken the time and effort to speak French to a level where you can be understood?Lets be honest here, these can be the same kind of people who say just how laid back it is here and surely therefore have plenty of time to have lessons, privately or in a group somewhere.We have all helped others I'm sure but it can be a chore to have to do it too much, after all, we do have a life ourselves that take up much of our own, often precious time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teejay Posted September 18, 2004 Share Posted September 18, 2004 [quote]But at the "end of the day" it's their chose to speak or not to speak French. The one's who really "press my buttons" are those that use the term "expats" and gather with other expats, and droll on ab...[/quote]The one's who really "press my buttons" are those that use the term "expats" and gather with other expats, and droll on about sitting in the sun eating tasteless cheese and wine they only found out about at "Uni". Watch out Boghound, your agenda's showing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boghound Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 [quote]The one's who really "press my buttons" are those that use the term "expats" and gather with other expats, and droll on about sitting in the sun eating tasteless cheese and wine they only found out ab...[/quote]I know "TJ". The trouble is, I've just been put on a stronger varient of Viagra and the effects take longer to wear off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boghound Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 [quote]Ah, so, these people are doing me a favour are they, I hadn't realised. Well as an old accounts hand, I know what time wasters are and how they affect budgets.[/quote]You must have been a real boon to the accounts department. Don't you live in the Alps and complain about spending a meager £1000 on heating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 I know "TJ". The trouble is, I've just been put on a stronger varient of Viagra and the effects take longer to wear offSo what in effect you are saying Boggie, is that you are now a bigger pr--k than ever. Bon Dimanche Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 ::laugh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 Oh I wish I could do smileys and woots... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 [quote]Ah, so, these people are doing me a favour are they, I hadn't realised. Well as an old accounts hand, I know what time wasters are and how they affect budgets.[/quote]Hang on a mo Teamedup - aren't you planning to move back to the UK after 20 odd years in France? Are we to presume that you have been making NI contributions in the UK for all these years? Or will you be foregoing access to emergency medical care and so forth in solidarity with those faceless millions who have been contributing in your absence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 Surely when TU moves back she will be resident ? Isn't that the 'qualification' for receiving health care in the UK ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted September 19, 2004 Share Posted September 19, 2004 ::laughHang on SB, you forgot one Oh and another one I am only doing this to make Dick's Sunday !! Dick, ask the Mrs if you can have some woots and smileys for your birthday, she will understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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