can't stand this place anymore
Discussion
nitrodave said:
oh dear! what's happened?
Yet again greeted on the phone by a jobs worth salaried receptionist with no etiquette and who knows she doesn't have to make f
king effort because she can't be fired because she's got the Prudhom on her side. And then passed to the technician who couldn't give a st about my problem and is more interested in accusing me of being the cause of the problem. And they're dealing with a professional they could at least be a little bit polite with even if they're not interested in that so un-French thing called service.
Every company in every other country I call in relation to my work greets me with politeness and professionalism.
And I disagree about the scenery. I lived near the Cotswolds in the UK and believe me Il de France is no match in any way.
Sick and of rude people, people letting their dogs s
t on the pavement and leaving it for you to step in, sick of them calling themselves socialist and then driving straight at you on the road because it's me,me,me, I want to get there first on their cars which have one headlight broken and the other on full beam because "oh it doesn't matter does it, it's only a car."Sick of the lack of excellence or of a desire to get there. Ridiculous bloody social taxes and employment law for my employees which changes every month. Working my arse off in conditions which mean instead of rolling in it I've just about keeping it together. And all the time being considered like some kind if criminal because I'm trying to build something and make a living.
Mediocrity, oh the f
king mediocrity if it all.Oh and Holland if you're listening, f
k you the most.Edited by Driller on Wednesday 5th November 17:04
It's that attitude that gets you down I agree. We're looking to exit after 10 years here and will try and sell the houses next year but we're not hopeful, I'm horrified at the money we have poured into them and what the estate agents reckon we can realistically sell for, it's not a small gap but bloody huge. The agents always seem to price down anyway to make for a quicker sale and are always working for the buyer rather than the seller and Leggett seem to be the worst for severely undervaluing, friends who sold in the summer to go back to Ireland were advised by them to put it on at about €400k but our friends insisted on putting it on at €540k and actually sold at €525k. We'll put it on for a price that we think it's worth (not what we've spent though) and see how it goes.
Driller said:
Yet again greeted on the phone by a jobs worth salaried receptionist with no etiquette and who knows she doesn't have to make fking effort because she can't be fired because she's got the Prudhom on her side. And then passed to the technician who couldn't give a st about my problem and is more interested in accusing me of being the cause of the problem.
And they're dealing with a professional they could at least be a little bit polite with even if they're not interested in that so un-French thing called service.
Every company in every other country I call in relation to my work greets me with politeness and professionalism.
And I disagree about the scenery. I lived near the Cotswolds in the UK and believe me Il de France is no match in any way.
Sick and of rude people, people letting their dogs st on the pavement and leaving it for you to step in, sick of them calling themselves socialist and then driving straight at you on the road because it's me,me,me, I want to get there first on their cars which have one headlight broken and the other on full beam because "oh it doesn't matter does it, it's only a car."
Sick of the lack of excellence or of a desire to get there. Ridiculous bloody social taxes and employment law for my employees which changes every month. Working my arse off in conditions which mean instead of rolling in it I've just about keeping it together. And all the time being considered like some kind if criminal because I'm trying to build something and make a living.
Mediocrity, oh the fking mediocrity if it all.
Oh and Holland if you're listening, fk you the most.
+1 vote for rant of the week :-) Last bit about Holland made me laugh!king effort because she can't be fired because she's got the Prudhom on her side. And then passed to the technician who couldn't give a st about my problem and is more interested in accusing me of being the cause of the problem. And they're dealing with a professional they could at least be a little bit polite with even if they're not interested in that so un-French thing called service.
Every company in every other country I call in relation to my work greets me with politeness and professionalism.
And I disagree about the scenery. I lived near the Cotswolds in the UK and believe me Il de France is no match in any way.
Sick and of rude people, people letting their dogs s
t on the pavement and leaving it for you to step in, sick of them calling themselves socialist and then driving straight at you on the road because it's me,me,me, I want to get there first on their cars which have one headlight broken and the other on full beam because "oh it doesn't matter does it, it's only a car."Sick of the lack of excellence or of a desire to get there. Ridiculous bloody social taxes and employment law for my employees which changes every month. Working my arse off in conditions which mean instead of rolling in it I've just about keeping it together. And all the time being considered like some kind if criminal because I'm trying to build something and make a living.
Mediocrity, oh the f
king mediocrity if it all.Oh and Holland if you're listening, f
k you the most.Edited by Driller on Wednesday 5th November 17:04
Couldn't agree more with all of the above. I have made my position clear on more than one occasion about my take on the French. A position that has regrettably been both formed and repeatedly reinforced since I've lived here. I also intend to ship out as soon as the youngest is away, he is joining the Royal Navy next year. No doubt suffering a huge loss on the house and all the other bks these wkers will throw at us as we attempt to extricate ourselves from their quagmire of cack!
ks these wkers will throw at us as we attempt to extricate ourselves from their quagmire of cack!We have done 9 years and still love it.
But I am effectively retired and after 2 years, we had already worked out that if you wanted to build a business like Driller, then everything was stacked against you.
As to the question of EU membership, I would say leave, the future for commerce is elsewhere and our cultures are diametrically opposed.
This week's gripe was the fine I recieved for not paying the 3rd instalment for tax Impots on time. Fair enough you might think, but I used to pay by prelevements and without my consent it was changed. I received requests for the first instalments this year, but not the third. Can you appeal? No, proof of posting is all that is needed, like speeding fines.
Needles to say that my neighbour, a tax officer, is very pleased that M Holland gives him good security of employment.
Fortunately, we can afford to take the crap.
However, I am currently in a hotel in the UK for my nephew's wedding. 8 choices for wine and all priced at £42 for a screw cap bottle of plonk.
On Tuesday, I had lunch with friends and paid just €94 for a bottle of Crement for apperos, 2 glasses of Muscat with Oysters, a bottle of Pouilly-Fumé with main, 3 glasses of fine Bergerac with cheese and a glass of sparkling Vouvray with dessert. The food was fantastic also.
Fine food is our main reason for wanting to stay in France, but quiet country roads for cycling, better weather in the summer, affordable housing also make a huge difference in retirement.
But I am effectively retired and after 2 years, we had already worked out that if you wanted to build a business like Driller, then everything was stacked against you.
As to the question of EU membership, I would say leave, the future for commerce is elsewhere and our cultures are diametrically opposed.
This week's gripe was the fine I recieved for not paying the 3rd instalment for tax Impots on time. Fair enough you might think, but I used to pay by prelevements and without my consent it was changed. I received requests for the first instalments this year, but not the third. Can you appeal? No, proof of posting is all that is needed, like speeding fines.
Needles to say that my neighbour, a tax officer, is very pleased that M Holland gives him good security of employment.
Fortunately, we can afford to take the crap.
However, I am currently in a hotel in the UK for my nephew's wedding. 8 choices for wine and all priced at £42 for a screw cap bottle of plonk.
On Tuesday, I had lunch with friends and paid just €94 for a bottle of Crement for apperos, 2 glasses of Muscat with Oysters, a bottle of Pouilly-Fumé with main, 3 glasses of fine Bergerac with cheese and a glass of sparkling Vouvray with dessert. The food was fantastic also.
Fine food is our main reason for wanting to stay in France, but quiet country roads for cycling, better weather in the summer, affordable housing also make a huge difference in retirement.
stargazer30 said:
Driller said:
Yet again greeted on the phone by a jobs worth salaried receptionist with no etiquette and who knows she doesn't have to make fking effort because she can't be fired because she's got the Prudhom on her side. And then passed to the technician who couldn't give a st about my problem and is more interested in accusing me of being the cause of the problem.
And they're dealing with a professional they could at least be a little bit polite with even if they're not interested in that so un-French thing called service.
Every company in every other country I call in relation to my work greets me with politeness and professionalism.
And I disagree about the scenery. I lived near the Cotswolds in the UK and believe me Il de France is no match in any way.
Sick and of rude people, people letting their dogs st on the pavement and leaving it for you to step in, sick of them calling themselves socialist and then driving straight at you on the road because it's me,me,me, I want to get there first on their cars which have one headlight broken and the other on full beam because "oh it doesn't matter does it, it's only a car."
Sick of the lack of excellence or of a desire to get there. Ridiculous bloody social taxes and employment law for my employees which changes every month. Working my arse off in conditions which mean instead of rolling in it I've just about keeping it together. And all the time being considered like some kind if criminal because I'm trying to build something and make a living.
Mediocrity, oh the fking mediocrity if it all.
Oh and Holland if you're listening, fk you the most.
+1 vote for rant of the week :-) Last bit about Holland made me laugh!king effort because she can't be fired because she's got the Prudhom on her side. And then passed to the technician who couldn't give a st about my problem and is more interested in accusing me of being the cause of the problem. And they're dealing with a professional they could at least be a little bit polite with even if they're not interested in that so un-French thing called service.
Every company in every other country I call in relation to my work greets me with politeness and professionalism.
And I disagree about the scenery. I lived near the Cotswolds in the UK and believe me Il de France is no match in any way.
Sick and of rude people, people letting their dogs s
t on the pavement and leaving it for you to step in, sick of them calling themselves socialist and then driving straight at you on the road because it's me,me,me, I want to get there first on their cars which have one headlight broken and the other on full beam because "oh it doesn't matter does it, it's only a car."Sick of the lack of excellence or of a desire to get there. Ridiculous bloody social taxes and employment law for my employees which changes every month. Working my arse off in conditions which mean instead of rolling in it I've just about keeping it together. And all the time being considered like some kind if criminal because I'm trying to build something and make a living.
Mediocrity, oh the f
king mediocrity if it all.Oh and Holland if you're listening, f
k you the most.Edited by Driller on Wednesday 5th November 17:04
HAHAHA, great rant. I have this sort of feeling on a semi-regular basis! I'm still here, though.
Setting up a company is ridiculously complicated compared to the UK. After it's set up, the real pain begins, paying someone 1,100€ after national insurance (but before tax) will cost a company 2,225€. Unreal.
Setting up a company is ridiculously complicated compared to the UK. After it's set up, the real pain begins, paying someone 1,100€ after national insurance (but before tax) will cost a company 2,225€. Unreal.
I lived there about 2 years and I'm pleased I managed to bail out without losing anything . I have since built a holiday house next door to where I lived on a scrappy peace of land i ended up with spare but I wouldn't choose to work there , love it for jollies but any more than a month and I'm losing the will to live .
Dear Driller
Great Rant... so what are you going to do?
A
Great Rant... so what are you going to do?
A
Driller said:
Yet again greeted on the phone by a jobs worth salaried receptionist with no etiquette and who knows she doesn't have to make fking effort because she can't be fired because she's got the Prudhom on her side. And then passed to the technician who couldn't give a st about my problem and is more interested in accusing me of being the cause of the problem.
And they're dealing with a professional they could at least be a little bit polite with even if they're not interested in that so un-French thing called service.
Every company in every other country I call in relation to my work greets me with politeness and professionalism.
And I disagree about the scenery. I lived near the Cotswolds in the UK and believe me Il de France is no match in any way.
Sick and of rude people, people letting their dogs st on the pavement and leaving it for you to step in, sick of them calling themselves socialist and then driving straight at you on the road because it's me,me,me, I want to get there first on their cars which have one headlight broken and the other on full beam because "oh it doesn't matter does it, it's only a car."
Sick of the lack of excellence or of a desire to get there. Ridiculous bloody social taxes and employment law for my employees which changes every month. Working my arse off in conditions which mean instead of rolling in it I've just about keeping it together. And all the time being considered like some kind if criminal because I'm trying to build something and make a living.
Mediocrity, oh the fking mediocrity if it all.
Oh and Holland if you're listening, fk you the most.
king effort because she can't be fired because she's got the Prudhom on her side. And then passed to the technician who couldn't give a st about my problem and is more interested in accusing me of being the cause of the problem. And they're dealing with a professional they could at least be a little bit polite with even if they're not interested in that so un-French thing called service.
Every company in every other country I call in relation to my work greets me with politeness and professionalism.
And I disagree about the scenery. I lived near the Cotswolds in the UK and believe me Il de France is no match in any way.
Sick and of rude people, people letting their dogs s
t on the pavement and leaving it for you to step in, sick of them calling themselves socialist and then driving straight at you on the road because it's me,me,me, I want to get there first on their cars which have one headlight broken and the other on full beam because "oh it doesn't matter does it, it's only a car."Sick of the lack of excellence or of a desire to get there. Ridiculous bloody social taxes and employment law for my employees which changes every month. Working my arse off in conditions which mean instead of rolling in it I've just about keeping it together. And all the time being considered like some kind if criminal because I'm trying to build something and make a living.
Mediocrity, oh the f
king mediocrity if it all.Oh and Holland if you're listening, f
k you the most.Edited by Driller on Wednesday 5th November 17:04
AndrewCrown said:
Dear Driller
Great Rant... so what are you going to do?
A
Well if I did what everyone else here does I would blatantly flout the multitude of petty, stupid laws they get so aroused about putting into place, lie, cheat and earn €100,00.00+/year in black payments whilst the hypocritical administration turns a blind eye.Great Rant... so what are you going to do?
A
Edited by Driller on Wednesday 19th November 09:15
Edited by Driller on Wednesday 19th November 09:16
AndrewCrown said:
He meant Francois Hollande old chap... not the country
I know. It was meant as a very gentle commentary on the lack of standards in France and then two posters not being able to get the President's name correct.psgcarey said:
I quite like the Dutch, although I do wish they would stop digging their motorways up, as it takes far too long to get anywhere.
As a passport holder for the country in question I can also confirm that the OP is correct in everything he says, although it is nothing new. If you are a salaried worker France is a great place to live, but not so good if you want to get on in life. I use France as a holiday destination, only, these days, and for that it is fine.
psgcarey said:
As a passport holder for the country in question I can also confirm that the OP is correct in everything he says, although it is nothing new. If you are a salaried worker France is a great place to live, but not so good if you want to get on in life. I use France as a holiday destination, only, these days, and for that it is fine.
I have two ex-pat French acquaintances, both very bright individuals, not related and working in different fields (male and female FWIW) who echo the opinions of the OP.I have French customers and also ex-pat English customers living and 'working' in France, then also agree, broadly, with the OP.
I have one very large MNC firm I deal with who, in word and deed (they shut their dysfunctional French stores and shifted it into a new European store in Germany) also hold the place in very low esteem.
When I offer the opinion, as often and freely do, that France is f
kED, with a capital F, people might be forgiven for thinking there is some personal motivation, that I 'hate' the French, or the country or the language, or the food, but no. I like all of those things, in general, and I find it very sad to see the way it is inexorably headed and, to an extent, with it also the EU. The wrong-headed, bureacratic, ant-business sentiment that is at the heart of the French political problem has critically infected the EU.Gassing Station | France | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff