Most of my friends/aquaintances in the UK have really no idea at all where we are in France, unless they’ve stayed with us and even then it’s all a bit vague.
But now, we become of immense concern because of all the news about the wildfires close to Bordeaux. So I’m getting emails daily “Are you alright?” from yet another person I haven’t heard from for at least two years.
I reply, promptly, because they are obviously worrying about us and explain we are fine, except for the smoke haze when the wind is in a particular direction and we’re finding the heatwaves a bit wearing.
And that’s it! No reply from them to say “Delighted to hear all is well”.
I have a sneaking suspicion that we are a disappointment and that they were hoping to hear that we’d had to abandon our house in the face of advancing flames, Rona in our arms, and we are now on camp beds in the local salle de fete. Much more interesting!
I too had a FB message from a cousin of my late OH on Sunday asking if we were alright as well. I replied explaining that the current terrible fires are a good 4 hrs drive north west of us down here but that we could smell smoke that morning, although there was another local outbreak up in the Conflent near Prades since Friday afternoon. Trouble is that the media transmit only what they want viewers to see, sometimes the real truth is far worse or less sensational which would not attract viewers to their reports. Luckily close family know exactly where we are as do old neighbours and good friends back in Bretagne so no enquiring messages from any of those folks.
It’s very possible that they feel a need to express concern for you, but having found out all is well then the box has been ticked and they can move on. You’re not a disappointment so much as a fulfilled obligation.
Are you sure it’s not a scammer?
A friend in Japan got a WhatsApp message last week purporting to be from a friend in Belfast. It started off by expressing concern and asking if she was OK after the recent typhoon. A pretty safe question given the number of typhoons in Japan. Maybe asking if you’re OK after the wildfires is becoming a pretty safe question for scammers to ask of someone they know lives in France.
In any case, it gives you the perfect excuse to write back and say “I know you’re a scammer so you can stick your faux empathy where the sun doesn’t shine. Love Sue””.
I think not…. We have no friends that check on us ! But I know what you mean. Friends came to stay once and spent much time lounging in the pool assuring each other loudly that they would never have a pool because of all the chlorine and Chemicals. They also ate all the tapas before we had even finished making it….
Not a disappointment but we haven’t had visitors for years. Having said that, No.1 son is with me at the moment and is cycling back from the big village so have set the dinner going for his return. It is 70 no idea what they do in Thailand but I think a fortnight in Spain might have something to do with it.
Still, we have had a pleasant afternoon of a bit of shopping, renting his bike, and cooling off in the bar with a beer. Also consulting the oracle Eddie re @Roger_Lapin’s generous offer and after that the conversation between them was over my head.
I had a friend enquire about our safety too. It was a touching & caring gesture. They have never visited us.
However it was very bizarre to be asked as the enquiry was made as a reply in an ongoing email thread that has my precise address & What3Words location in the signature. One click & a glance at a news report would have prevented them from worrying.
no idea what they do in Thailand but I think a fortnight in Spain might have something to do with it. 
