tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post5707090939182550302..comments2023-09-22T12:18:39.635+02:00Comments on Diary Of Amy Rigby: An Educationamyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08330763519601938989noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-46969892968036245242010-10-31T14:23:13.705+01:002010-10-31T14:23:13.705+01:00Thanks for your comment Mark, and it was interesti...Thanks for your comment Mark, and it was interesting to see what you're up to in your corner of France - I hate to sound so negative all the time because i can see it is possible to have a good quality of life (lots of space, nice clean air and countryside, no traffic) if you can navigate the bureaucracy. And are able to make a living and can entertain yourself - and can go with and adapt to the way things are done, and not expect people to change their ideas of what is possible. I love visiting the UK but could not afford to live there and when we're there we spend an awful lot of time sitting in traffic.<br /><br />Where is the incentive for people to improve the quality of the food and service here in France? Just today when buying a coffee in a cafe we heard the bartender thank someone "and Sarkozy thanks you for his part". It's usually outsiders who will take a chance...the majority of people seem beaten down and won't vary from "the rules" - at first it was charming and I had to marvel at the absolute certainty of when to eat this and when to drink that but after a while...meh. Who cares? At the same time businesses are having more and more reason to be scared, with gendarmes showing up demanding to see that all paperwork etc is in order. But you knew all that already. I just liked seeing the nice photos and positive spirit on your blog!<br />and PS re Leroy Merlin, you're right about the return policy - we bought what was called Satin and turned out to be Brilliant paint, brought it back expecting a battle, they were really nice and made an exchange with no (okay, a few) questions. A great store, something to celebrate!amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08330763519601938989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-87657378556757709842010-10-29T10:00:58.075+02:002010-10-29T10:00:58.075+02:00Hi Amy, I also am disappointed by the food here. ...Hi Amy, I also am disappointed by the food here. Before moving here, my experience of French food had been universally excellent, and there are certainly still some very fine restaurants around.<br /><br />But flying into Southampton airport earlier this year, in the airport snack bar, I commented with another ex-pat friend, how you would never be able to find such quality and variety of food anywhere in France. And the difference was not small. Southampton as a town is perhaps 20% larger than Rennes in terms of population but Rennes airport is depressing by comparison. Southampton's is lively, bustling, commercial, enterprising. Rennes' is not.<br /><br />I think it's a bit like the NHS was in the UK "The envy of the world" according to politicians, until someone actually published comparative stats on death rates from cancer, with countries like the USA and France. In France they think that French food and wine is the best in the world (which in some ways it can be) but they simply do not comprehend when I try to explain how the eating out experience in England is so much better, because there is the very best of the entire world's cuisine to be had. And that the supermarkets devote perhaps 20% of their wine section to French wines, while those of other nations take the rest of the space.<br /><br />The fact that a restaurant can't serve you a morning coffee (even if they wanted to) is a product of the over-regulation that is stifling France. I first experienced exactly that problem, in a fabulous restaurant in Le Mans.<br /><br />I agree with you, I do like Leroy Merlin. They understand customer service, have good shops with good stocks and their returns policy is good, and works. They were my second home when I was renovating here, and I still go there a lot for all sorts of things.<br /><br />I think your analogy of which sinking ship to choose is a good one. Me, I'm just enjoying living in a peaceful quiet corner, something I'd not be able to do in England since nowhere is free of traffic noise. I enjoy what I can, and if I miss a decent curry, Chinese, Thai, or whatever, I have another thing to look forward to on the occasional trip back to England.Mark In Mayennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14987723233401368368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-83722016008880647722010-10-20T11:42:33.688+02:002010-10-20T11:42:33.688+02:00It's a privilege to be able to make comparison...It's a privilege to be able to make comparisons firsthand, Katherine. I have to remember that when I get desperately homesick. I know the loonies are out in full force in the US but being in another country at a time like this is like being on a random sinking ship while you watch the one with many of the people/things you love and care about going down at a distance - which sinking ship do you want to be on? Which one would you maybe, maybe be able to contribute to in some small way - in a way that would make sense?<br />I don't know, just things I think about when I'm trying to find a bakery that's open...amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08330763519601938989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-294808658098336682010-10-18T19:27:43.494+02:002010-10-18T19:27:43.494+02:00When I look at how mean-spirited things in the U.S...When I look at how mean-spirited things in the U.S. have gotten, I still imagine a kinder, gentler life in Europe. Sounds like that's gone or never existed. I guess the grass is always greener...Katherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05043607156906233553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-19378562567765021452010-10-18T12:23:30.823+02:002010-10-18T12:23:30.823+02:00Lovely simple ingredients and cooking methods, I a...Lovely simple ingredients and cooking methods, I agree. But from what I hear the countryside is even emptier than France - so, perfect for a holiday only. If we ever take one again, I'd love to go (spent a few days in Venice a couple years back, though the best food was in the village we stayed in outside of the city)amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08330763519601938989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-67743938570186267182010-10-17T16:34:10.902+02:002010-10-17T16:34:10.902+02:00France is okay but head to Italy for divine food!France is okay but head to Italy for divine food!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-30008317270969366122010-10-16T20:08:20.564+02:002010-10-16T20:08:20.564+02:00Yes, you're right...but it used to be semi off...Yes, you're right...but it used to be semi official and now it's firmly under the radarthe fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-67175706444379420042010-10-15T10:07:00.333+02:002010-10-15T10:07:00.333+02:00I had to look that up Fly, system D - from what I&...I had to look that up Fly, system D - from what I've seen a lot of that still goes on, people finding ways around the system (if I'm understanding the concept correctly),but it seems to be an expected part of the way things work after a while - an example might be Fete de la Musique which started out as contre the system but is now a highly controlled, pre-programmed day for bars to sell more beer.<br /><br />Richard I find that sad - the French people I know are charming and kind, it's the very specific language and social code that can be like a straighjacket. And a government that encourages fear of outsiders doesn't help.amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08330763519601938989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-74603619454783663982010-10-14T21:32:37.628+02:002010-10-14T21:32:37.628+02:00When I teach a short University course north of Pa...When I teach a short University course north of Paris, I always find the international students forming groups without any French students. The latter have a bad reputation.Richardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-35759725486263815482010-10-14T17:21:55.967+02:002010-10-14T17:21:55.967+02:00It certainly hasn't improved over the years I&...It certainly hasn't improved over the years I've been here.<br />The old codgers I knew had been through the war, would try to make things work, and hadn't been cushioned by a grant for everything that moves.<br />You had to be careful to avoid the cafes that did robusta and chicory masquerading as coffee, but there were plenty of good ones.<br />You've hit the nail on the head...the beating down of all individuality and initiative bears its unlovely fruits when times are hard and people have lost the ability to innovate.<br /><br />We used to hear about 'system D' the whole time twenty years ago.<br />doesn't exist now, either in fact or in public consciousness.<br />I'm not sorry to be leaving France.the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-91042050855430086222010-10-14T15:52:22.278+02:002010-10-14T15:52:22.278+02:00To dream Fly, I still want to dream. It's not ...To dream Fly, I still want to dream. It's not just strangers who are disappointed around here - witness the huge demonstrations. Cutting every corner to stay afloat has much to do with the decline of food and life here .I think the mentality in France almost forbids the type of hustle it requires to keep going in this economy...not saying there's not a willingness to work because I've never seen people who work harder, cleaning and gardening from morning til night. But looking around for different ways of doing things, instead of just giving up. It is depressing the hell out of me. I should have added that we would have gladly driven to get coffee in a non-mall cafe, but the ones along the (30 km) route serve a) instant w/water heated in a microwave or b) are so miserable they will barely serve customers they aren't related to. The one up the road is nice, decent coffee but how many times a week can you go to the same cafe?<br /><br />It could be a country mentality Mike, for sure things are more vibrant in and around the bigger cities.amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08330763519601938989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-67810782318759895712010-10-14T05:49:53.031+02:002010-10-14T05:49:53.031+02:00Too strange.Too strange.Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14485653775431911747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5345837331344524410.post-42503439455210195162010-10-14T01:32:17.151+02:002010-10-14T01:32:17.151+02:00I feel a good slogan for France would be
'It&...I feel a good slogan for France would be<br /><br />'It's France...but not as we know it...'the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.com