Russethouse Posted May 29, 2005 Share Posted May 29, 2005 In todays Observerhttp://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,1494850,00.html(sorry I lack the technology to make it a clickable link) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted May 29, 2005 Share Posted May 29, 2005 Gay - I've edited the link for you.Interesting indeed and although I tend to agree with a lot of what the writer has to say, my own gut feeling on the European constitution is with the 'nons', though for rather different reasons.He misses out one very important taboo as far as this forum is concerned, and that is that it is quite OK to ignore France's shortcomings and moan about Britain, but to suggest that in some ways Britain could be a better place to live than France is strictly interdit.I think a phrase comes to mind that contains the words greener, grass, Channel, other, side and always.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamedup Posted May 29, 2005 Share Posted May 29, 2005 Maybe I am lucky or maybe people might think I'm not, but the french people I mix with are honest like this about France. That is what I never 'get' on here. That some of you imagine that maybe I say too much, believe me, compared to the french people I know I am a pussy cat. Have I managed to live in some sort of extra ordinary place where people do open up, because the french people I know are opinionated. They have an opinion, often starkly honest that can leave me wide eyed, on just about any subject under the sun, including France. Reticence isn't really a strong point and I like that. I have no idea as to what my views on France would be like if I wasn't surrounded by french people who discuss their country, their hopes and desires and disappointments and successes frankly. And fortunately we friends can laugh together about life in all it's colours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deby Posted May 29, 2005 Share Posted May 29, 2005 TU,What you have said is straight from the heart. I have only lived here for 5 and a half years and I believe what you have said is well said.Deby (17 charente maritime) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaligoBay Posted May 29, 2005 Share Posted May 29, 2005 Have I managed to live in some sort of extra ordinary place where people do open up, because the french people I know are opinionated. They have an opinion, often starkly honest that can leave me wide eyed, on just about any subject under the sun, including France. Reticence isn't really a strong point and I like that.It sounds perfectly normal to me! I think the difference is that at the beginning one's language perhaps isn't up to much, and one is still "British" at heart, constantly comparing, being in awe, trying to fit in, make friends, not offend anyone, and so on. After a while one settles down and lets French people get on with being French, and that's when one hears their real opinions. One much prefers it to the holiday period! It has its serious side tho, because one is no longer under any illusions, as one starts to hear the "other side" of France. Mais bon, c'est comme ça, it's a bit like lurve, all mad and passionate at the beginning, then you settle into something a bit more relaxing, and you can still love each other, warts, fat tums, and wet towels left on the floor notwithstanding.Over and out for tonight,One. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letrangere Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 What a fascinating article, thanks for posting this Gay. Have to disagree with some of the author's statements for it's certainly not taboo amongst my French friends to discuss all the points he raises, especially the "fact" that the French elite has recklessly seized all the levers of power...etc. isn't that a generally accepted truth?And many alas now fully acknowledge that their children will automatically join the long line of over-educated but unemployable youth upon leaving university yet do not rally to change this. (Perhaps because they recognise that change is impossible in France?)Is the media timid? Not always the case with some of the writing in Liberation and I'm sure there's much more that I'm unaware of. Hundreds of French leaders don't speak English? We have several in Britain that don't (our new Defence Minister, Deputy PM...) and that's before we take into account foreign languages. Certainly true about vulgar technical skills, anyone capable of wielding a spanner is viewed as an untouchable by some French people I know. And I agree that many of the French abroad are remarkable in a way (sorry everyone) that the British abroad are not. You know we often talk about integration and definitions of it here, could it be a sign that you are pretty well integrated when you can talk to your French neighbours, friends, colleagues about the points raised in this article and enjoy a good honest discussion? M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letrangere Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Although unlike JC I know what a mouse is, I don't know the first thing about "links". Could someone explain how I can incorporate Gay's link to this article in an e mail please? I'd like to send it to the couple of French I know who read English (of sorts). Thanks. M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coco Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 Just copy and paste it Margaret. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted May 30, 2005 Author Share Posted May 30, 2005 Do any of you have the newsletters from Adrian Leeeds - http://www.parlerparis.com/mostly about Paris, and quite a lot of 'ad' content, but often interesting little things.Today she is forcasting a drop in the value of the Euro, due to the No vote, and advising her fellow Americans to book their vacations!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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