Overseas Property Gazette: Living in France

Here is a Canadian's expose on Life in France - not always a bed of roses. Here is an extract of her pet hates and likes!

Likes

The cheap cheese and wine: That’s an easy one, but I will never get tired of paying 2 euros for a huge piece of Reblochon and 1.50 euros for a glass of sweet Riesling.
The geographical position: Being in Europe is a little bit overwhelming for a North American like me, who has to travel quite a bit of land before feeling truly away. In France, though, you can get to Morocco, Portugal, Poland and Greece within an hour’s flight. How cool is that?
The fashion: Being of a more discreet and classical taste, I enjoy French fashion immensely. Stripes, black sweaters and chunky scarves are all essential items in my wardrobe, and France is the perfect place to put them to use.
The holidays: French public holidays: 13 to be exact. And if a public holiday happens to fall on a Thursday or a Tuesday, no worries – the Friday or Monday is also off. Perfect for long weekends away!

Hates

The rudeness: That is a cliché that happens to be spot on. While it is certainly not the case in every establishment, it is pretty common for me, a friendly Canadian, to be offended by the lack of smile or the harsh words of other French people. Sometimes I feel like no matter what I do or what I say, I am just the biggest nuisance they’ve had to face in their lives. After living in France for 7 months, I still haven’t got used to it. How hard is it to be nice to people?
The strikes: They are not a myth either. Just a month ago, public transportation workers went on an unannounced strike that lasted for 6 days – and it’s nothing like in Montreal, where a basic service is obligatory in case of a strike. In France, a strike means 0 service. Living in France means you are often on your toes!
The bureaucracy: Nothing is simple when it comes to French documents. Whether it’s about renting an apartment, getting a cell phone, being hired for a new job, settling your legal status, etc., it’s always so complicated. Anyone a fan of Asterix’s 12 tasks? You know The Place That Sends You Mad? It’s actually not that far-fetched from reality.

Living in France Video: American Student's View