Sometimes I bloody love the French, I really do

Posted by: Kevin-W on 05 October 2015

Not only do they have the world's best food, the sexiest and most beautiful women on the planet, one of its most mellifluous languages, and gave us Marcel Proust, Manet and Duchamp, Ravel and Debussy and Jean Renoir; but they really know how to protest. And protest effectively.

 

Today Air France said it was laying off 2,900 people - and what did the workers do? They had a good old riot, attacking two of the senior executives ripping - literally - the shirts off their backs. One of those so targeted was the HR director, which is hilarious - because, as everyone knows, not matter how far a firm "downsizes", bloated HR departments never get any smaller.

 

Good pics in the Graun, here:  http://www.theguardian.com/wor...ves-job-losses-paris

 

I'm sure the dim, the dullards, the lickspittles of degenerate neo-liberal capitalism will moan, deplore or shake their heads and say nothing could be done to save the jobs in question, but for all right-thinking people this will be seen as a hugely entertaining example of justice meted out to the complacent and uncaring managerial class.

 

Vive la France! If only they'd do the same over here...

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by hafler3o

My favourite curse word (as a brit in France) "Plafond!" 

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by Moog

From that Guardian article comes a great quote at the end.

 “This happens elsewhere, but to my knowledge, taking the boss hostage is typically French. It’s the nature of the social dialogue in our country.”

 

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by TOBYJUG

France is a lovely country. Lots of culture, nice food , philosophy, writers and painters but it is spoilt by to many French people.

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by Frenchnaim
Originally Posted by TOBYJUG:

France is a lovely country. Lots of culture, nice food , philosophy, writers and painters but it is spoilt by to many French people.

Thought they were all in London, making piles of money...

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by Mike-B
Originally Posted by TOBYJUG:

France is a lovely country. Lots of culture, nice food , philosophy, writers and painters but it is spoilt by to many French people.

More French people live in London than in Bordeaux, Nantes or Strasbourg and some now regard it as France's sixth biggest city in terms of population.  ........  BBC News

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by Lionel

French trades union do it properly.

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by Guy007

Seeing as Air France have 55,000 workers and BA have 40,000 it would seem they are maybe a tad on the large size, especially given the easyjets et al flying into the country ?

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by joerand

I have to credit the French for the hosting the world's grandest, most spectacular annual sporting event. Le Tour de France is unparalleled for its intensive, intimate, and technologically progressive video coverage. The logistical planning of stages highlights the beauty and diversity of the country. The passion of the spectators along the routes coupled with all the colors make the visual presentation every bit as interesting as the competition itself. And of course it wouldn't be totally French without the proverbial overt or hidden tone of scandal somewhere along the way.

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by Bananahead
Originally Posted by JamieWednesday:

 

 

I do seem to pay a lot of property tax. And something strange, I can actually see what they spend the money on.

Ah, that's where you're going wrong you see. Only the expats pay the 2nd, income related part of the property tax. Everyone else just doesn't declare their real income. Simples. Still, nice of you to pay for their speed bumps and STOP signs tho'...

Except that I am Swiss tax resident so don't declare any income in France.

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by hafler3o
Originally Posted by joerand:

I have to credit the French for the hosting the world's grandest, most spectacular annual sporting event. Le Tour de France is unparalleled for its intensive, intimate, and technologically progressive video coverage. The logistical planning of stages highlights the beauty and diversity of the country. The passion of the spectators along the routes coupled with all the colors make the visual presentation every bit as interesting as the competition itself. And of course it wouldn't be totally French without the proverbial overt or hidden tone of scandal somewhere along the way.

You missed the bit about spectator "jeter le piss" to keep the leader "rafraichi"!

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by joerand
Originally Posted by hafler3o:
You missed the bit about spectator "jeter le piss" to keep the leader "rafraichi"!

Indeed, the douche dorée is better suited for obliging participants in a boudoir.

French riders get a pass on such treatment. Home field advantage I guess.

Although recent history indicates little benefit for French riders 

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by alainbil

Violent protests happen in France from time to time. Perpetrators can be red flag waving trade unionists (to the delight of Kevin-W), farmers devastating the minister of ecology offices (to the delight of or UKIP members), ecologists, hunters, taxi drivers, fishermen, truck drivers, gipsies, …

 

Not sure this nice gentlemen care much about Marcel Proust..

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by BigH47

Not sure this nice gentlemen care much about Marcel Proust.

 

 

Isn't he the guy looking after the new French Formula 1 team? Lotus re-branded Renault.

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by JamieWednesday
Originally Posted by Bananahead:
 

Except that I am Swiss tax resident so don't declare any income in France.

Well that kinda illustrates the original point...

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by JamieWednesday
Originally Posted by BigH47:

Not sure this nice gentlemen care much about Marcel Proust.

 

 

Isn't he the guy looking after the new French Formula 1 team? Lotus re-branded Renault.

"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but seeing with new eyes" apparently. I bet he hopes he can set off on his voyage of discovery with a few more horsepower up his jacksy.

Posted on: 06 October 2015 by Bananahead
Originally Posted by JamieWednesday:
Originally Posted by Bananahead:
 

Except that I am Swiss tax resident so don't declare any income in France.

Well that kinda illustrates the original point...


It does?

 

 

Posted on: 07 October 2015 by Manu
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:
Originally Posted by fatcat:

Kevin


I must agree with you on one point, Didier was one of the best footballers I’ve ever seen.

I take it you haven’t looked any further than the guardians webpage.

 

Avez vous un Cuppa

 

Oui, Drogba était un grand footballeur, mais Cantona et Henry étaient mieux.

Je regardais aussi le site du Daily Telegraph.

 

Une tasse de thé! Bonne idée! Earl Grey, s'il vous plaît!

Drogba is not French but Ivorian.

et maintenent il joue à Montréal. Il gagne les matchs à lui tout seul...