Celeste you are right. Another thing that is a thing of the past in the uk is a job for life! good friends of mine working in the sight loss sector of social services were all made redundant recently. From what I have heard, France has a large Civil Service...including some teachers who Ive been told on this website, will insist on sticking to the letter of their contract and contribute very little. Putting all Civil Service jobs on the same footing as private companies, would be the best thing to happen to France...and would improve services no end if people realised they had to be competent at what they do. I thought Sarko was supposed to do to France what Thatcher did for the UK.
You are quite right Lisa, when we first moved to the Isle of Man the attitude was that if you didn't like A or B or C, then there was a boat at 9am in the morning!! Thankfully, by and large, that attitude has changed dramatically, except for the few diehards.
I believe that if you relocate to a country, buy or rent a property, pay taxes either income tax, VAT/TVA, taxe fonciere, taxe d'habitation (in the case of France), then one should be entitled to complain or comment when things are not up to an acceptable standard, be that bureaucratic or customer service based for instance. Especially as Europeans in Europe where the likes such as Germany and France would have us as one community.
Lisa, I think you have a very strong point to make. Sometimes when services are criticised here on SFN there are members who make the point that if you don't like it why are you here.
When you have been here for a while and have french friends, you find that they are making the same criticisms as oneself.
What I do find strange is their willingness to moan and then do nothing constructive about it. As an example, I was recently told by the English Speaking Help Line for the CPAM that there is no date set for a reply to a letter. So they can legally ignore you!!
Off to bed now...night night...ciao
Definitely! Especially handy, when I am meant to be working and just don't feel like doing so!!
Too late Marina....(joking) Brian and I have regular wars.....its become a hobby! no damage done and a good discussion I think you will agree!
Sorry guys, don't want to start a war here, it was me who indeed criticised the appaling service the French sometimes "offer". I think I can afford to, seeing I was born (and still am) French, but married by choice into an English family (which I wouldn't exchange for the world for a French one). I believe that this gives me the opportunity to see both sides of the debate without having to be politically-branded "racist" against the French. My point being, I shall repeat it, that despite its NUMEROUS and sometimes UNFORGIVABLE flaws, France is the country we chose to come (or return) to and therefore, we should simply put up with it and hope it improves. Those who live here simply because they were born here and have no other choice, really, can afford to complain. Those of us who made the choice to move to France and stay should maybe realise that having made this choice rids us of the right to slag it off. We (I) may not like it, but it was our free will that brought us to France, not fate. Therefore until things change for the best, either we adapt to them, or we move on (and I have thought of doing so numerous times).
Disagree a 100% with your comment Brian. Ive worked alongside American medical staff for years...and my son has worked almost uniquely for Americans in New York as a designer....their generosity has been overwhelming and when working with the medical staff they have been hardworking, polite and caring. The service in the UK is much better than France...sorry if you disagree...but I think you will find most people agree with that comment. Shopping in the states years ago was a much better experience than it was in the UK at that time...they do service very well....Goodness Brian..not sure who is throwing teddies about...but think it may be you this time!
I am 100% in disagreement about the USA. They drive me nuts working for them as I have had to too often. Good service, what do mean. They are rude and obscenely lazy. Customer services are so poor they should be ashamed to use the word 'service' in that context. Customers pay money, they take it, deal done. That is the American way I know too well. From the time Iwent freelance the vast majority of my clients have been US based or of the USA and much of what I have had to buy in, especially people I have been obliged to work with under my supervision, have been so useless that my stream of complaints has been endless. UK and good service, no better or worse than here generally. Now good night!
No Brian, well aware of whats happening in the UK we have a flat there and I go over regularly...I have a son working there and brothers...not to mention many friends. If you read what Ive said...Ive not made any derogatory comments about France...think you will find it was Marina that made the comments about poor service etc..and I agreed that the UK has endured the same problems till we learnt how to improve, the USA led the way and we followed... not sure where you feel my teddy landed...do enlighten me. I think France has problems and I know the UK does...I know things are tough everywhere..where exactly did I say otherwise?
Thank you Marina, whilst Carol might have some points that are right, I sometimes feel she throws her teddy out of the pram sometimes about France. It has not gone well for anybody in the last three years because the entire world is in an economic crisis that is depressing and frightening people who have futures to consider and don't need people turning up to take away opportunities from them and that includes people moving from one part of France to another. Carol, you have been here for those three years, another time might have been different. Do you seriously think the UK is unaffected by all of this? My sister wants out because her work is slipping and she has a half decade still until here pension, the NHS is failing her abysmally and should my niece get permanent residency in Australia teh that's where she'll be off to for the rest of her days. I am happy here, my family are happy here, we will do everything in the world to stay if we can.
Carol, I wasn't in any way criticizing those who moved here, I'm one of them. However I sometimes resent the constant stream of attacks on this or that service. I accept a lot of them are sub-standard. But just as much as nobody forced me to move my family to France, nobody asked any of the people endlessly criticizing France to come and test its various flaws. Yes, France may, and surely will benefit from having different people moving in, but at the end of the day the message I 'm trying to convey is, it was OUR CHOICE. So let's give it time to adapt and change.
Marina...sometimes incomers can improve the way things are done in a country....the UK has benefitted hugely from those that have moved there....for instance the Pakistani's, seeing how hard they work and the hours they are willing to put in to make their business a success...ditto with the Poles, many of whom work long hours in nursing homes without complaint....The Americans taught the Brits about customer services, 20 years ago that was an area that was terrible in the UK, but is now much improved....so I dont think it is neccessarily the case that you have to accept it....from the beginning of time countries have improved other countries...why accept poor service...it wont ever get better if no comment is made..the fact that someone is not a native doesnt mean they cant offer valuable advice.
I'm sorry guys... it's been a while and I could read but not answer any of the posts... Nothing to do with Frances' unfortunate situation, but in response to a lot of comments I have read... what can I say apart from, well, sorry, but Like it or Lump it. You decided to move to France; It's another country. Yes, we are CRAP at customer service. Yes, we are CRAP at administration, yes we are RUBBISH at employing foreigners and understanding their value, but at the end of the day, nobody forced anybody into moving in here. I lived in the UK for years, and I happily put up with the sub-standard NHS and the prospect of a pitiful pension. I moved back to France and I'm happy to work till I'm 75 to get whatever pension I'll be allowed to claim. My husband took a massive paycut to work in France for a French employer with all the disadvantages associated. That was OUR choice, please, PLEASE remember that it was OUR dream and nobody else's to come and raise our kids here. Give this country a chance.
Actually I felt almost unwanted in London.
If I look back at my time in Chiswick running Fabouche and my
lack of Local friendships in the Holland Road.
I CAN indorce that.
Frances, for what it is worth: You might try looking for the Tahitian and New Caledonian communities in your area (if there are any). I know Tahitians LOVE New Zealand. I can only assume that it is more or less the same with New Caledonia. It may be a foot into a new circle that may open other doors. From what I've seen, native Tahitians relate culturally, of course, with the Maori people, but many "French Tahitians" are preparing to escape to New Zealand if France cuts it's losses in the South Pacific so they are familiar with and interested in New Zealand(ers). Just a thought.
Thank you Brian..our guy Ian will be good as gold...he has done other stuff for us..and bascially sold us his soul for this contract!
Roofer - I can recommend Markus who did ours, he is brilliant at it. I've lost his contact details but can get them with a quick phone call.
Very kinds Barbara...but am happy with our present builder who we have fixed to come in 2nd week July..he has signed a contract in blood..agreeing to a weeks work..and will finish in that time..if it leaks ever again in the next 10 years he will come out immediately and we will not pay a penny more..financial ties to the contract etc...third time luck and I think we have nailed it!
@ Brian,
Our hay is not yet ready for cutting, but our next door neighbour takes it and cuts our hedges in return.