Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

It's almost 4 years since I left France and I still get slightly panicked whenever I have to have dealings with bureaucrats here in the US.

I totally overprepare - honestly 6 hours working on my property tax protest, with 60+ photos and 30 or so comparisons ready, with a 3 page document to prompt me.

This morning I went to US immigration for a routine thing. I took all the immigration paperwork for the whole family, print outs of flights, passports. For one child.

I'm still always waiting for the person to find the one, tiny, inconsequential piece of documentation that I don't have with me. Remembering the glint in the eyes of the french bureaucrat as they succesfully locate it and telling me that they are really sorry but they can't proceed without it.

Any treatments available for this type of ptsd???

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

Hi pf,
I had the same in the US, frequently.
Go to the range and let loose 100 or so rounds.;)

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

really??

But it's so easy here in the USA. My ptsd is due to my experiences of french bureaucrats - especially the prefectures and the CPAM, RSI etc...

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

Not IMHO.
We have had different experiences obviously.

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

Or if you're a thrill-seeker who enjoys taking risks, take a swim in your back garden pool. :lol:

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

Unlike Florida, there are no water moccasins in my pool here.:lol:

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

PF can explain. :sneaky:

Whether she will or not, is a different matter :unsure:

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

Ever since I arrived I've always done all this stuff online, and so far I have only once had a dossier knocked back and that was when I tried to fob them off with a scan a birth certificate that was too long to fit on the scanner. They politely pointed out that they needed a whole birth certificate, and I didn't find that too unreasonable.

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

I tend to agree. So far (note: so far) I haven't had a great deal of issue with french bureaucrats. I did find it a bit annoying a few years ago to have to provide a copy of our marriage certificate before getting a Carte Gris for a car whose ownership would be joint with my spouse. ( I hope you're reading this cyrian).

Other than that I've found France to be more user-friendly than Germany by a country mile. Even so, I managed to master that Beamterschaft too.

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

:thumbsup:

They accepted a passport for me.

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

How about your spouse, :sneaky:

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

Us :thumbsup:

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

PF, I think most folks - including myself, would agree with your comments about French Bureaucracy in general. Fortunately there are the occasional exceptions to the rule.
Last week I went to the local Prefecture to request a duplicate French driving licence, as I'd lost the original. It was a truly ragged and moth-eaten specimen, so not sad to see the back of it, and get a new credit-card size licence.
After a 20min wait, armed with all the necessary docs, I presented them at the desk. The lady must have had some charm-school tuition, as my dossier was taken with a smile and kind words, and entered onto their system within minutes. I was told it would take about a week to process, and I could either collect it in person or have it sent by post for no extra charge. I opted for the latter, and it arrived today. Excellent service.
The downside? I look a damn sight older on the new one than I did on the original......... :(

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

+1
I emailed a gérant this morning ===and got a reply in 5 minutes - gobsmacked :thumbsup:
Is France finally catching up with 20th century.:sarcasm:

Re: Bureaucracy ptsd!
 

My encounter with the prefecture regarding changing my UK license to a french one was horrendous.
My OH had not been given back the paper part of my license when we hired a car in the UK. This went unnoticed because 4 hours drive later we realised that he hadn't got all the suitcases off the baggage belt. (in case, you're wondering , I was looking after a baby and 2 other children at the time),he only had to count to 7. Unfortunately, it was my case and it was Christmas Eve. I had to wear my motherin law's underwear Christmas Day. Don't ask.
I digress. The paper part lists the categories you can drive.I had no idea that the card part wouldn't be sufficient and neither did the woman at the prefecture - at first. She sorrowfully told me that I had provided all the paperwork but she would need to check with her supervisor. Her eyes were all lit up when she came back and told that I couldn't exchange without the categories listed for them. She told me that I'd have to take my french driving test.

I cried all the way home, I yelled at my husband for losing it . Then I phoned the DVLC. YES!!! They issued me with an affidavit in french with all the categories. I went back a week later and this time it was me with the triumphant eyes.