A quintiential English greasy food van business blocking the entrance to a quentiential French brocante. Nice touch !
Love the flags lol.
And what is a ‘racette traditionalle’ ? Would that be some fish and some chips ?
Try reading the wording on the side of the van a little more carefully Mark.
Talking down about your country or origin and taking the p out of it’s traditions is one of the most unappealing traits of immigrants…
I’m an expat not an immigrant. Lol. I got relocated here for work. So there !!!
I did not not like fish and chips when I lived in the UK !!! It is hardly talking down the country because I don’t like fat greasy chips and a fish covered in some kind of yellow wierd stuff. Especially sold from a van.
If they sold proper fat prawn mayonnaise sandwiches I might go with that. But then again I have an quentiential M&S 15 mins away so it is unlikely. I will get them from there.
I wasn’t necessarily referring to you Mark but…if the cap fits… 
A couple of things:
Firstly, the Fish & Chips I mentioned above do not consist of fat greasy chips and some kind of yellow weird stuff. They are simply delicious chips perfectly cooked and the batter enveloping the prime cuts of fish is light, crispy and delightful. The van is impeccable and the couple who operate it simply charming. But as you don’t like Fish & Chips, and don’t eat them - you wouldn’t have a clue about their quality so are not qualified to pass judgement. My response just serves to correct your banal assumptions.
Secondly, the word is quintessential. You’ve spelt it wrong a few times now - so best you know or you may start looking a bit silly.
Oh and - generally, if you’re not French and have your residency here in France - you’re an immigrant. The word expat is simply used by those who find the word immigrant ‘uncomfortable’ when referring to themselves - even though that is what they are.
Hope that clears things up for you…
1 Like
Thanks for correcting my banal responses, spelling, and lack of knowledge about fish and chips. I am guessing you are not a motivation coach lol.
I beg to differ through on the word ‘expat’. Wiki disagrees with you.
That’s me 
…Expat. 
1 Like
Extract from Wikipedia General Disclaimer:
" Please be advised that nothing found here has necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information."
Let’s get back to main subject, shall we…
1 Like
Just a bit more Stella
Interesting Guardian article from a couple of years ago - no comment
1 Like
Good fish and chips is wonderful.
1 Like
You are so lucky Simon, there are F&C vans here too, but alas they operate only at various markets during the week (which means I can’t go & make a pig of myself because of work).
I know Vero ! CC (Chris & Clare) Fish & Chips do lots of evening venues as well which makes it great for those working! My nearest venue is Mirepoix (09) and they always get a great mix of people - i.e. not just Brits!
1 Like
It is typically those type of articles written by stupid people that create tensions across the world.
Now look at this article.
http://grammarist.com/usage/expatriate-vs-immigrant/
Now i remember reading on a thread that you do not want to be buried in France. To me that implies that you are an expat in France as you want to return back to the UK.
Don’t be ashamed of being an expat. 
My local fish and chips. Always excellent locally sourced fish. This French owned and run restaurant/take away is thriving in a location with very few British customers. The chips are great too. International cuisine.
2 Likes
An unexpected trip came about today…a group of us will be passing through la Rochelle in June… perhaps I can persuade our convoy to test Le Merluchon…
Votez Merluchon!!
The thing about assumptions Mark is that, sometimes, they unwittingly backfire. I have a few reasons for wanting to be buried in my country of birth - two of them are particularly tragic and not for disclosure on an open forum. So back off please.
In essence I have no intention of returning to live in the UK and therefore consider myself an immigrant in France.
You, on the other hand, can call yourself whatever you feel comfortable with.
It is not a question of being comfortable with Simon it is using the correct word in the correct context. Not that it has ever crossed my mind or come up in conversation before.
So…
An immigrant is someone who moves to another country with the intention of never moving back to their country of origin.
An expat is someone who moves to another country (usually for work) but has the intention of moving back at some stage.
I guess most British living in France are expats as statically I believe most move back to the UK eventually.
Most French people living and working in the UK are expats too as I guess the majority will retire back to France.
Et volia.
We discussed that here a while back too
Hello. My name is Judi Christie, I’m Scottish living in the town of Le Vigan in the Cevennes mountains about an hour from Nimes and I run a English speaking touring theatre company. We tour from November to April each year in the schools in France offering a theatre play and associated workshops. If you were interested please look at our website www.Quorum-ETC.com where you will find lots of info and a film showing a ‘typical’ day at Quorum. Unfortunately I will be in Canada in mid-May but you never know, you might the work we do interesting and suitable at another time when you may be filming. Feel free to get in touch quorumfr@gmail.com Good luck!
Hi Judi,
Thanks for this. It seems like we’ll miss you on this occasion, but i’ll definitely keep your details on file for future reference.
best wishes,
Sam Samantha BrickTel: 00 33 553 28 48 78
Mob: 00 33 637 24 49 82My book: “HeadOver Heels in France” is out nowTwitter: @samanthabrickInstagram: sammy_brickFacebook: Sam Brick