Categories and tags do that no?
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I find this perspective so odd Timothy, Eddie, etcâŠ
The site is split up into threads - this one - that you have decided to take part in - is explicitly focused on the UK governmentâs record in office. What did you expect?
Nor do I see the site as a whole as a âFrench forumâ - it is, again explicitly, focused on life in France for English-speaking people, whose interests are bound to include whatâs going on for family and friends in their countries of birth.
If you only want to read or contribute to threads focused specifically on France, why not just do that? Why read a thread youâre not interested in, then complain that itâs not interesting?
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Sorry James - you jumped in while I was writing my comment - interrupted by phone call.
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when people exploit them correctly, yes.
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Because even French subject matter threads often include âthe UK is ****â comments which puts off so many people from participating and makes discussion pointless.
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So what youâre asking for is the whole site to be moderated so heavily that negative comments on the UK are banned?
Just the UK? What about the USA? Should negative comment on Trump, for example, also be banned?
Perhaps we should only be allowed to comment negatively about France?
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But most of you are British and that is what has shaped your life experience and world view, so obviously that is what you have to compare France with. It is often perfectly relevant to compare things and ways of doing things in different countries after all, many people from all over the globe have no idea that the rest if the world isnât exactly like their bit of it.
Here in France in spite of many similarities and geographical propinquity, we donât do things or think the same way about quite a lot of things as you do, I know this is something many British people find incomprehensible and annoying but thatâs how it is.
I have had a lifetime of code-switching thanks to being half and half and continually shuttling back and forth and I have seen this incomprehension from both sides. People learn about linguistic faux-amis at school but not cultural ones.
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Thatâs not what Iâve suggested at all Geof, if people want to slag off the UK they welcome to, just not in threads about life here. Clearly though thatâs not going too happen so as youâve suggested Iâll have to be selective in what discussions I participate in.
These cultural differences are endlessly fascinating to me. My childhood was very mono-cultural - English working class, no foreign travel; the code-switching started when I left home for university, and subsequently lived mainly in middle-class and multicultural milieus - but of course constantly switching back to my working class roots. Then 30 years working internationally across Europe, Asia and Africa, specialising in transition (former communist) economies - and hours of discussion - âtalking soul to soulâ as they say in Russia - exploring the profound cultural, economic and political differences between England and whatever country I happened to be working in.
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Sounds like a wonderful career Geof.
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Right said, Fred!!!
I have taken British citizenship before we left. My children and grandchildren are in the uk and i would like to be able to move back should the need arise. The UK government charges all told not far off 2k for the pleasure. It took 16 nervewracking months and it was a lot of hoops. After 36 years I walked the life in the uk test, but none of the British people who tried it, e.g. friends and family and neighbours got it right. I am grateful for my extensive education but also I have been politically and historically interested. Long story: the UK sets a very high bar for citizenship.
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High bar ? Just another hoop to prevent people getting into the UK.
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No, this was before Brexit. I looked into it 30+ years ago and it was a lot more straightforward then. Also cost a dayâs wages, not a monthâs. I decided against it at that point since I felt I was not "sufficiently " british. I was 20 and still very german. Also my country did not allow dual Citizenship at that time. But by the time we left I can say that I was truly british. And could not bear to leave and loose my connection in a sense. Only when the prospect of leaving arose did I realise how strongly I have become loyal to the UK.
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Iâll take your word for it Paul 
My wife and I got vectored yesterday. Weâre focusing all our efforts on producing antibodies and T cells today 
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Thatâs not a beard, itâs a scowl 
I agree and you write some of the most balanced, correct, eloquent, and articulate postsâŠand I wish I could express my self as well in French as you, being a French woman, do in English!
OH aged 68, but with no comorbidities, has been offered an appointment for an Astra- Zeneca jab at his GPâs here next week. They are struggling to get take-up as everyone wants the Pfizer or Moderna (if they want a vaccine at all!).
There are 3 GPs in the practice so I think they get 30 doses a week. And if they canât find arms for such a small number then I think the focus will soon change from not enough vaccine, to not enough arms.
There have been queues at pop-up weekend clinics (there was one in Annecy this weekend), but still no major demand.
I donât think they are restricted to 10 a week anymore either Jane. My MT certainly wasnât on Saturday. I think the lack of uptake has produced a glut.
Well said VĂ©ro. My father lived in Spain for many years and that gave him (and us) another perspective.
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