RELAX! Its just France. It isn't you, it is the system and the French dislike it too. It is the tarif we pay for living in a place that is as close to perfect as it can be, and perhaps the 'fonctionnaire' system is designed to weed out those that don't understand how great it actually is.
In my experience, many French people ignore as much as possible. They don't fill in their tax forms for years. They never reply to official demands for paperwork. They only interact with officialdom to claim some benefit, and assume that all the French departments never, ever cross check the information, and so will never, ever catch up with them.
It might be. Without question, I think we’re living a better life here. As I said, weeks and months get better even if individual days can be challenging. I’m getting better at reading the weather too, I think.
Ohlala, I so relate to this - the awkward, frustrating dance that is to learn a new place. What helped me a lot was to focus on the freedom being a foreigner in a foreign country brought. I might not say the right word, I might not get the joke or understand the minutia of something locals take for granted, but I'm free to be me and be different, just because I have an accent and strange name. I hope this helps ease up some of the tensions you experience during French days ;)
This was very relatable, Keith! I think that it's possible to have "French days" in other countries as well! (My biggest laugh was about the couch, for what it's worth.)
Thank you for giving voice to the immigrant experience!
Thanks! It's worth a lot - that sofa was triggering. Also mustard yellow, if that helps the visual.
I think you have to laugh about it all or it will make you a bit nuts - or worse, feel isolated in what seems to be a really common experience with people immigrating to other countries.
My goodness. I wish I hadn’t, but it’s fresh. Thankfully most people are incredibly cool with all of my fumbling. I just feel like I am wandering around confusing the hell out of everyone here some days.
What a lovely and spot on post.
RELAX! Its just France. It isn't you, it is the system and the French dislike it too. It is the tarif we pay for living in a place that is as close to perfect as it can be, and perhaps the 'fonctionnaire' system is designed to weed out those that don't understand how great it actually is.
In my experience, many French people ignore as much as possible. They don't fill in their tax forms for years. They never reply to official demands for paperwork. They only interact with officialdom to claim some benefit, and assume that all the French departments never, ever cross check the information, and so will never, ever catch up with them.
And they seem to be mostly right!
It might be. Without question, I think we’re living a better life here. As I said, weeks and months get better even if individual days can be challenging. I’m getting better at reading the weather too, I think.
Yes, the weather is VERY local. Where I live, the forecast is often for rain but it seems to go either side of us.
When I lived on the Cote d'Azur it seemed perfect; it would rain every night in the winter, and be fine and sunny all day! Ideal!
Meteo France is pretty good. Or the Weather & Radar app.
Great read, totally relate !
Ohlala, I so relate to this - the awkward, frustrating dance that is to learn a new place. What helped me a lot was to focus on the freedom being a foreigner in a foreign country brought. I might not say the right word, I might not get the joke or understand the minutia of something locals take for granted, but I'm free to be me and be different, just because I have an accent and strange name. I hope this helps ease up some of the tensions you experience during French days ;)
Love your post. Thanks for sharing. All the best.
This was very relatable, Keith! I think that it's possible to have "French days" in other countries as well! (My biggest laugh was about the couch, for what it's worth.)
Thank you for giving voice to the immigrant experience!
Thanks! It's worth a lot - that sofa was triggering. Also mustard yellow, if that helps the visual.
I think you have to laugh about it all or it will make you a bit nuts - or worse, feel isolated in what seems to be a really common experience with people immigrating to other countries.
Never quite worked out “Météo” ou “Temps” myself.
Been through most of this!
My goodness. I wish I hadn’t, but it’s fresh. Thankfully most people are incredibly cool with all of my fumbling. I just feel like I am wandering around confusing the hell out of everyone here some days.
This sounds much like Turkey!
I believe it.
Love this.