Transport Strike, 1891
Parler Paris Nouvellettre®
Your taste of life in Paris and France
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Monday, September 6, 2010 • Paris, France
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The weather has been glorious -- a far cry better than August which was its usual gray rainy self -- a good reason to have been on the beaches. Even now, when encountering acquaintances on the street for the first time after the vacation period, they ask, "Did you take vacation? Where did you go?" It has been surprising how many answers were, "Corsica" to which I had to respond with, "To what city?" That's when we could compare notes and expound on our affection for the French island.
I celebrated my 16th year in Paris with a "Rentrée" lunch party at Parler Parlor, the French-English conversation group. The regulars are slowly coming back to the city and getting back into their usual routines, so they showed their smiling faces along with a few first-timers. Marie-Elisabeth Crochard, co-coordinator of the group, had made enough sandwiches (of many different varieties) for three such parties, all of which were "delish" -- I tasted each and every one.
The conversation group has been going since March 0f 1998 and seems to roll on in a perpetual motion without much effort like a windmill that turns with the slightest breeze. This is place where people of all walks of life and nationalities can come together to practice speaking French and English, but make friends, too as well as learn all sorts of interesting things from one another. It can become almost addictive -- as well as relaxing and therapeutic, if not simply entertaining.
It's free the first time you come, so you have no excuse not to try it. Visit www.parlerparlor.com for the details and plan on showing up at any one of the three sessions each week just five minutes ahead. It's that easy, but take note: TOMORROW NIGHT'S SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO THE PLANNED NATIONWIDE STRIKE TAKING PLACE.
The two largest labor unions have organized a walk-out that will create havoc for tens of millions of people. Public transportation, education, telecommunication and just about every aspect of the public domain is about to shut down in support of the strike.
Their grievance is Sarkozy's drive to improve the struggling pension system by raising the retirement age from 60 to 62. Eighty percent of the country is under the age of 64, so it's a wonder why they put up with the inconvenience of the strikes, but these folks like their retirement and aren't about to give up two years of it very easily. Plus, there is a sentiment in France of "solidarité" -- to support the cause just for the sake of showing allegiance.
The U.S. press is as bewildered as I am over the "paradoxical contradictions" -- although they may not understand the French from the inside, where we who live here have come to terms with the zillions of daily incongruities. They can clearly see that while the public is striking to maintain its "generous social safety nets," if they don't do something now, they will lose it altogether in an economic crisis. Their deficit is almost three times higher than what the European Union permits and is the highest debt of all of Europe's most economically important members -- but as individuals looking out for themselves, they're spoiled and aren't going to give up retirement years without a fight.
It always makes me chuckle a bit to watch the French cherish their work-free days since I grew up with a philosophy from my mother who says "if I ever stop working, I'll die." She's 93 and still working several days a week as a volunteer sales person in a hospital boutique and at the Ronald McDonald House to help the families there. She didn't BEGIN her working career until the age of 70 when my father died. So, I figure she's right since she has such longevity. That means I may never stop working -- which has more to do with accomplishing things and setting goals than earning money (although that helps a lot when you're living off a meager social security payment!).
The French live longer than Americans, too, by more than two years (France -- 80.7, U.S. -- 78.2). So, when they retire at age 60, the average person will collect more than 25 years of retirement benefits...that is if the benefits are still there. When will they wake up to the reality? 'Striking now' may mean 'striking out' in the years to come.
A la prochaine...
Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
(with Marie-Elisabeth Crochard and her sandwiches at Parler Parlor)
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P.S. Next Tuesday, September 14th is when "Parler Paris Après Midi" meets up again after the summer hiatus. This is the monthly coffee gathering designed for you readers to get to know one another. It's free and it's unstructured -- don't worry -- there's no pressure to speak any French! Just show up anytime between 3 and 5 p.m. to say hello and stay as long as you like. Again, it's a great way to meet people, particularly Anglophones living in the City of Light, or of course, visitors who love the city as much as we all do.
P.P.S. Writing from the Heart Workshop this coming October 12-18, 2010 is still taking registrations, but don't delay! Join Janet Hulstrand, workshop instructor, writer, editor and teacher for a wonderful week of writing in Essoyes, a charming and welcoming French village in the heart of Champagne country. Janet’s workshop will take you on a journey of discovery as you learn to “write from the heart.” For more information, visit French Property Conference frenchproperty/conference/ or contact Janet Hulstrand at: janet.hulstrand@gmail.com
