BTW... pensioners in France get double what OAPs get in the UK... seems like the right priorities to me... not idiots crowing about the colour and what's written on travel documents. When I lived in France I saw a welfare, maternity, education and health system predicated on actually looking after people... a helping hand up - not forcing tens of thousands of families into poverty and homelessness, and punishing people for being physically and mentally sick, and disabled. Nothing is perfect and France has it's faults like every society, but we could take a leaf out of their book imo and start to look after people instead of giving billions in tax breaks to corporations who then pay minimum wages forcing the actual workers to claim welfare benefits like housing benefit and tax credits to survive while they shovel billions into the pockets of shareholders who then pay tax at a lower rate because it's capital not earned income (...if they pay tax at all of course). Happy Christmas xx
Everything in France is far superior to anything you care to mention in Britain, from cooking, love-making, port blockading, sheep incinerating, wine, truffles, disdain, apathy, providing the venue for conflict, surrender and capitulation and adopting Paul. Hah! Now I have wrested Post of the Year from Seagull the next stop is world domination.
You forgot cheese!.......... Oh and riding bicycles whilst carrying numerous onions (or should that be shallots) around your neck
I know I have a problem with that but given the current political climate in the U.K. and the fact that I make the cultural switch every ten days I get to see and feel the differences I will work on that going forward promise as it’s affected me more than I thought it would Post Christmas often people especially in the U.K. fall a bit flat I need to remember that None of us have any control of what is going to happen re the Brexit thing however I remain proud that I hope I have given my lads at least an option to choose
Correct of course as that seems to be the stereotypical default of English on French It’s a very modern world in France today and I still see values that sadly we may of lost or forgotten. Brexit could be great for the U.K. but with such a massive divide it looks a big ask at the moment I could boil it all down to one thing maybe The weather of the South of France
You’ve been subjected to French culture for too long, Paul, as you’re conceding far too easily. On a serious note, however, I rather like France and it’s people. Nice hats.
The Italians are the greatest hat wearing people on Earth, as any fule kno. Evidence http://www.borsalino.com/en/home
I didn’t claim the French to be the greatest hat wearing people on Earth, Stan, but they are the greatest flag waving people. White ones.
Both the Italians and the French love a hat Both seem to look at life in the right way About to get feedback from mates who had enough in Brighton so drew down finances and purchased a large tourer and are on a practice trip ... about to arrive all 7m of it ! They have zigzagged through France and through Italy for the first time so hope to get their opinions later today. All this with a view to buy a house eventually so will be interesting to hear
Christ where do I start? They cannot understand why we get into so much debt early on in life? A house should be a home not an investment. Greedy race that makes both parents having to work. A nation of shoppers A nation who let the political people rule them with minimal resistance A nation with the best music in the world and the best edgy fashion They cannot understand Brexit at all and certainly cannot understand how a 4% difference has been allowed to risk it all Too many cars Poor Roads Dreadful trains Poor healthcare Profit from the elderly by making nursing homes ... that outrages most of my French friends. Good TV Dreadful cars They see London as the best city in the world but cannot understand the house price at all
How much cheaper would the equivalent place be in the equivalent part of Paris? Can’t disagree with much of the above.
It’s a bit of a cliche but on a quality to price ratio Bordeaux must be the best city in Europe. London is excellent for food though- there’s just a plethora of dross too.
City life in Europe is a completely different issue imo and of course there are pockets of rich unaffordable homes within areas all across Europe. Where we are different is that the entire south has the mentality of making money from homes . We haven’t enough homes and we face the fact that a entire generation cannot afford one. When Landlords are outbidding first time buyers it’s a sad affair My French friends have always maintained it would never been sustainable and here we are.
One area where I concede the French, and the Italians too, have it right is a mature approach to alcohol. In a week when our NHS overstretched A&E's are inundated by drunken people who take attention and resources away from those seriously ill, such that the re-introduction of drunk tanks is being mooted, I find it a national disgrace. You can make an excuse for a fifteen year old sampling a drink for the first time, but those adults that regularly appear incapacitated through alcohol at A&E should be charged for treatment or registered on an alcohol awareness course.
In fairness the Italians need to stay sober enough to shag in their cars whilst driving through the mountains to avoid having to take their significant others home to their staunch Catholic parents. But your point is a good one. There’s a lot to be said for introducing kids to life’s less serious taboos early.
