A cautionary tale about moving to France
#16
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
Regardless of whether you speak 4 or 40 languages, I love your sense of humour in the above comment, but where were the all-important 'tongue-in-cheek' smilies?
And to whoever may be interested, anyone who comes to France and insists on speaking just English will truly struggle, live in a French cultural wilderness, and indeed miss out on the very best of what France has to offer (or what Flanby has left of it).
#17
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
If you move to another country, you should be able to do the basics in that countries language, i.e. shopping, ordering in cafes etc. If you need to work in that country, then you will need some knowledge of the language. I moved to Spain knwing very little of the language, but I did use books and DVD's to learn quite a lot of Spanish. But I did meet English expats who had lived there for months ane spke only the most basic Spanish, Yes, No, Please and Thank you. They expected the shop assistants to speak English to them, and many of them did. In one shop, while I was getting served, an English couple came in wanting something. The assistant did her best to reply in English, but the man started to laugh at her attempts and was telling you didn't say it like that.. So I just turned to him and said he wasn't being fair, at least she had tried to use her English, but I hadn't heard him try to speak Spanish. The assistent thanked me, in Spanish, for helping.
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 298
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
@JWL
Regardless of whether you speak 4 or 40 languages, I love your sense of humour in the above comment, but where were the all-important 'tongue-in-cheek' smilies?
And to whoever may be interested, anyone who comes to France and insists on speaking just English will truly struggle, live in a French cultural wilderness, and indeed miss out on the very best of what France has to offer (or what Flanby has left of it).
Regardless of whether you speak 4 or 40 languages, I love your sense of humour in the above comment, but where were the all-important 'tongue-in-cheek' smilies?
And to whoever may be interested, anyone who comes to France and insists on speaking just English will truly struggle, live in a French cultural wilderness, and indeed miss out on the very best of what France has to offer (or what Flanby has left of it).
Yeah, exactly. I was going to do that, but thought surely nobody, NObody could fail to see my tongue firmly in my cheek. Speakers of other languages are hardly likely to be the world's biggest linguistic imperialists.
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2012
Location: Dépt 61
Posts: 5,254
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
Slightly baffled as to why the Wail calls it France's problem. Ain't no skin off France's nose if Brits come here, spend all their money down to the last penny and go home skint.
#22
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
They deserve what they get.
#23
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
Novo, you need to get some sleep, up all night.
#24
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
Perhaps he is in Canada
The reason for the post was not to promote the DM or others.
It was to point out the pitfalls of assuming that France is just England with croissants and that you need to have done your homework before you commit to such a life-changing decision.
The examples given are valid.
You can't assume that everyone speaks French.
You can't assume that you will have the same chance of employment as the French.
You can't assume that the State will come to your assistance as in England.
You cant just roll up and get healthcare.
Members are often advised on BE to bring 2 year's money with them to tide them through - wise advice.
Do your homework before you decide.
The reason for the post was not to promote the DM or others.
It was to point out the pitfalls of assuming that France is just England with croissants and that you need to have done your homework before you commit to such a life-changing decision.
The examples given are valid.
You can't assume that everyone speaks French.
You can't assume that you will have the same chance of employment as the French.
You can't assume that the State will come to your assistance as in England.
You cant just roll up and get healthcare.
Members are often advised on BE to bring 2 year's money with them to tide them through - wise advice.
Do your homework before you decide.
Last edited by cyrian; Sep 14th 2014 at 9:12 am.
#25
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
Perhaps he is in Canada
The reason for the post was not to promote the DM or others.
It was to point out the pitfalls of assuming that France is just England with croissants and that you need to have done your homework before you commit to such a life-changing decision.
The examples given are valid.
You can't assume that everyone speaks French.
You can't assume that you will have the same chance of employment as the French.
You can't assume that the State will come to your assistance as in England.
You cant just roll up and get healthcare.
Members are often advised on BE to bring 2 year's money with them to tide them through - wise advice.
Do you homework before you decide.
The reason for the post was not to promote the DM or others.
It was to point out the pitfalls of assuming that France is just England with croissants and that you need to have done your homework before you commit to such a life-changing decision.
The examples given are valid.
You can't assume that everyone speaks French.
You can't assume that you will have the same chance of employment as the French.
You can't assume that the State will come to your assistance as in England.
You cant just roll up and get healthcare.
Members are often advised on BE to bring 2 year's money with them to tide them through - wise advice.
Do you homework before you decide.
With that they could have found a small piece of land on the outskirts of a major town, had a new home built, fully insulated with all mod cons that save money/energy, and they would still have £100000 in the bank at the end of it to get by a good couple of years.
Instead they invest in a pile of old stones and get the house fitted out with english plug sockets..... Nope I have very little sympathy - no actually when I think about it, I have no sympathy at all....
Last edited by le plumber; Sep 14th 2014 at 8:45 am.
#26
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 331
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
Like the French do you mean.
#28
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
It's hard to believe that folk can be so incredibly stupid & I just can't understand how anybody can get through £350000 in just two years. That is not bad luck, its bad management.
With that they could have found a small piece of land on the outskirts of a major town, had a new home built, fully insulated with all mod cons that save money/energy, and they would still have £100000 in the bank at the end of it to get by a good couple of years.
Instead they invest in a pile of old stones and get the house fitted out with english plug sockets..... Nope I have very little sympathy - no actually when I think about it, I have no sympathy at all....
With that they could have found a small piece of land on the outskirts of a major town, had a new home built, fully insulated with all mod cons that save money/energy, and they would still have £100000 in the bank at the end of it to get by a good couple of years.
Instead they invest in a pile of old stones and get the house fitted out with english plug sockets..... Nope I have very little sympathy - no actually when I think about it, I have no sympathy at all....
#29
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
It's not impossible. I had a 400m2 stone bastide in Provence in good condition but with no insulation and I spent €4,000 on heating oil in 1999 (adjusted to today's oil prices and currency).
But I agree with le plumber that they really have no-one but themselves to blame. It actually makes me angry rather than unsympathetic. There was a time to do something crazy like that when it could have turned out rather better - but as we all keep saying - NOT HERE, NOT NOW!
But I agree with le plumber that they really have no-one but themselves to blame. It actually makes me angry rather than unsympathetic. There was a time to do something crazy like that when it could have turned out rather better - but as we all keep saying - NOT HERE, NOT NOW!
#30
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,883
Re: A cautionary tale about moving to France
Could a Mod put this thread in the Read Me section?
We could refer to it more easily when advising future potential expats.....
We could refer to it more easily when advising future potential expats.....