tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post412504242593239674..comments2024-01-12T00:24:35.544+01:00Comments on St Bloggie de Riviere: What do the French think of living in France?Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-70439732707167408242013-02-04T13:20:21.919+01:002013-02-04T13:20:21.919+01:00It is a culture of entitlement, and I am not sure ...It is a culture of entitlement, and I am not sure how much longer it can last. It is all nice and well to say that 'we hate the rich', but. as you say, if they all leave france will be in the merde. French lycee in London is oversubscribed.Murielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07669453005443249990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-34178333210668764072013-01-29T17:56:35.175+01:002013-01-29T17:56:35.175+01:00I saw that Goldman Sachs solution to la crise is t...I saw that Goldman Sachs solution to la crise is to reduce salaries by a third. Seems to have (not) worked in Poland as far as the population is concerned, but that's not stopping people like Soros from pushing for the same psychopathic methods in Greece, Italy, Spain and next France. <br /><br />There's an interesting article on this in my Twitter feed over on the left. <br /><br />I don't know why you can't sign in as you, I thought you could choose in the Reply as : bit.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-10102082510498415672013-01-29T16:41:44.646+01:002013-01-29T16:41:44.646+01:00Finally able to comment...and on what a post!
The...Finally able to comment...and on what a post!<br /><br />The news I get from French friends is uniformly gloomy...and they tell me that the 'reform' of the private pension caisses which is proposed...i.e. pay more work longer...is likely to be used as the model for public sector pensions....<br /><br />I'd sign as me, but the system doesn't allow it!<br /><br />the fly in the webhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563871975125538755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-76871260209389279242013-01-29T09:15:08.495+01:002013-01-29T09:15:08.495+01:00Funny how we're all in agreement about politic...Funny how we're all in agreement about politicians wherever we are in the world. <br /><br />The problem is, the wrong people are attracted to politics so we get no real choice about those who make all the decisions. And those people have modified the system to the extent that only wolves like them will do it.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-5844623896431270112013-01-29T06:44:30.464+01:002013-01-29T06:44:30.464+01:00Politicians suck, every last one of them! The Fre...Politicians suck, every last one of them! The French are right, elected officials don't give a rat's ass about those who put them there in the first place. Too much of today's legislation is spear headed by powerful lobbyist. Example, The National Rile Association(NRA) in America comes to mind. And a thousand more, I won't list here.Diplo_Daddyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12349376430486545451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-83266283943656318902013-01-28T23:22:24.390+01:002013-01-28T23:22:24.390+01:00Thanks! There may be a similar study in the UK. Thanks! There may be a similar study in the UK. Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-57742237228068650512013-01-28T18:54:37.027+01:002013-01-28T18:54:37.027+01:00that was really interesting Sarah and I'd love...that was really interesting Sarah and I'd love to see the results of something similar conducted in GB...Curry Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01357154781453417176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-33136092976161009712013-01-28T16:51:45.953+01:002013-01-28T16:51:45.953+01:00I'm sure others are feeling pessimistic too, b...I'm sure others are feeling pessimistic too, but as we are always told what a belle vie we are supposed to have living in France, I thought I'd write about the reality of it. :)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-82831085837628410492013-01-28T14:45:23.735+01:002013-01-28T14:45:23.735+01:00Really interesting post. I've been here for 14...Really interesting post. I've been here for 14 years give or take, and don't see myself living anywhere else. Te study is very pessimistic but there is similar pessimism elsewhere. I do understand and share your concern about pensions though. It ain't fun being old and poor over here (or indeed anywhere, I suppose)Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10514757286127622644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-66763576069045291122013-01-28T09:07:51.680+01:002013-01-28T09:07:51.680+01:00I don't think lovely people like you are consi...I don't think lovely people like you are considered as immigrants Perpetua. :)<br /><br />Sounds like you made the right choice for your retirement, and that you have the best of both worlds.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-66417344295609702722013-01-28T09:03:10.250+01:002013-01-28T09:03:10.250+01:00I was amazed to read that 53% of the working popul...I was amazed to read that 53% of the working population don't pay income tax. That leaves the whole burden on the remaining 47% and I remember seeing somewhere that something like 1% are responsible for 38% of income tax revenue. If they leave, everyone's in the merde.<br /><br />It does explain though why many expect to get everything for free. <br /><br />As for pensions, and this isn't restricted to France, there are only 1.8 workers (53% of whom earn so little they pay no tax) for every pensioner. Despite paying into the system, I'll undoubtedly get very little out unless the system changes dramatically, which will involve much pain and no political gain. Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-70118740532344422282013-01-27T21:19:11.466+01:002013-01-27T21:19:11.466+01:00I feel for you as yes it will be a big problem as ...I feel for you as yes it will be a big problem as far as you are concerned. I would also be worried if I was in your shoes. No it will not effect us thankfully.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14782670749466305626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-70956628317609826602013-01-27T17:15:41.138+01:002013-01-27T17:15:41.138+01:00Fascinating, Sarah, and it makes me glad that we d...Fascinating, Sarah, and it makes me glad that we decided against moving to France permanently. I couldn't live in an expat bubble and yet for many French people I'd be one of the immigrants they think there are too many of. <br /><br />I'm not at all surprised that there is so much uncertainty and gloom shown in these statistics. Bad enough to be struggling with a recession and the inexorable rise in the price of almost everything. Add to that a President who inspires no confidence in anyone with half a brain and The French have a right to feel that life is anything but rosy.Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-53466767521900976602013-01-27T15:00:35.911+01:002013-01-27T15:00:35.911+01:00Well, Sarah, I am so glad that I left France. I ho...Well, Sarah, I am so glad that I left France. I honestly think that I would have ended up at best depressed (and at worst mad) there. People keep complaining despite having a good education system and great healthcare. They expect it to be free and don't understand that you need businesses to pay for all this.<br />I don't know what the future holds for France, but I can tell you that nobody wants to invest in France any more because the tax rules keep changing. Not sure how long some will be able to keep the rose-tinted specs...Murielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07669453005443249990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-89405931525150417792013-01-27T09:43:42.364+01:002013-01-27T09:43:42.364+01:00The last para basically says that a providential s...The last para basically says that a providential state takes away a sense of responsibility in people while a state of law restores it.<br /><br />The authors want people to feel more responsible for themselves and not expect the state to give them everything for free. They would also sack a bunch of deputies and others on the state gravy train as we have way too many here.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-88340482683856657882013-01-27T09:40:43.389+01:002013-01-27T09:40:43.389+01:00According to this sondage, whoever you vote for wi...According to this sondage, whoever you vote for will make as much of a mess of things as the others if s/he gets in. <br /><br />We need a strong charismatic leader with common sense and intelligence. I can think of no one like that.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-1864049456468194332013-01-27T09:38:07.082+01:002013-01-27T09:38:07.082+01:00There was a definite feel-good factor last year. I...There was a definite feel-good factor last year. I'm wondering if the return to normality will hit harder because there's further to fall (from a feel-good high).Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-86930909383398694992013-01-26T21:52:12.004+01:002013-01-26T21:52:12.004+01:00Fascinating stats. Had to read it all REALLY slowl...Fascinating stats. Had to read it all REALLY slowly. Have no idea what that last paragraph says though. V interesting all in all. Older Single Mumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16752771952921898184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-81402456998915461542013-01-26T19:51:01.821+01:002013-01-26T19:51:01.821+01:00I've given up on trying to keep up with the Fr...I've given up on trying to keep up with the French and their political choices. After screaming good riddance to Sarkozy, they're now all complaining that their new Messiah is applying everything they voted for. Wake up and smell the coffee, guys... You got what you ordered on the menu. Nanny states are all fine and good, but someone has to pay for it. However, as I'm one of the foreigners who will be able to vote next time round, maybe I'll get to see the back of Marshmallow man......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-63251641992716568562013-01-26T18:40:45.630+01:002013-01-26T18:40:45.630+01:00Very interesting info, Sarah.
I think David (above...Very interesting info, Sarah.<br />I think David (above) is right when he suggests the Brits would answer the questions in a similar way, although I wonder whether the positive post-Olympic/Jubilee feelings might just have buoyed up our sense of happiness/contentment for a few months. Trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00119443727504215312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-9325038436092400642013-01-26T09:35:51.276+01:002013-01-26T09:35:51.276+01:00If Europe goes to hell, Germany will be there too ...If Europe goes to hell, Germany will be there too as we are all interlinked, especially via the banks who have been happily sharing toxic debt amongst each other. <br /><br />Even Deutsche Bank could have gone the way of Lehman Bros in 2008 if they hadn't hidden LSS derivative losses and kept quiet about it. Gory details here:<br />http://liesidotorg.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/deutsche-bank-sur-le-point-de-perdre-son-statut-d-intouchable/Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-47190998244418440192013-01-26T09:31:25.962+01:002013-01-26T09:31:25.962+01:00I'm glad you are enjoying your retirement, Dia...I'm glad you are enjoying your retirement, Diane. <br /><br />For those hoping for a French pension, they should know that the complementary pension funds for the private sector will run out of money in 2017. That is not far off and what is the government doing? Arguing about gay marriage, farting about in Mali chasing out Islamic jihadis (but not doing the same in France), and reducing the age of retirement back to 60.<br /><br />This may not be your problem, but it is mine, and it's shit scary. I can't ignore reality - it's ugly and it's likely to hit me full in the face.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13195684182481935384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-18218860940595687872013-01-26T01:57:17.070+01:002013-01-26T01:57:17.070+01:00Thought provoking blog as always Sarah - honestly ...Thought provoking blog as always Sarah - honestly France should be the best place to live in the world because (Italy aside) it's the most beautiful and has great food, but one gets the sense the French have felt a sense of decline since the Napoleonic empire. Witness the commune of 1871 etc. France gave the world existentialism - I think Brits would respond in a similar way to those questions. Over here there's honestly a sense that the whole of Europe is going to hell with the pos exception of Germany.David Macaulayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14873439047946166820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18862674.post-44971117134142370492013-01-25T21:35:35.350+01:002013-01-25T21:35:35.350+01:00OK so we are retired, done the restoration bit, sp...OK so we are retired, done the restoration bit, speak crappy French, live in the peaceful countryside and yes we are very happy here. We have mostly French friends. We have enough to live on but we are not rich. I am too old to get my knickers in a knot over politics, and so what if it snows and we can't get out. Who the hell cares we don't. I like my rose tinted glasses.Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14782670749466305626noreply@blogger.com