Comments for The Secret Life of France

Comment on Playing with Fire by Kerry Dwyer

Kerry Dwyer — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:07:37 +0000

What now? Now we have a Tulip? All potential investors are packing their bags in readiness to head for the hills at the hint of a wealth tax. Will the right gather forces to prevent too much change?

Comment on Playing with Fire by Lucy Wadham

Lucy Wadham — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 10:16:27 +0000

It’s a joy to read you again, Jonathan. Merci, mon vieux.

Comment on Playing with Fire by Jonathan Miller

Jonathan Miller — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:13:06 +0000

I think your analysis is a bit ideological, chère Lucy.

The media consensus is that Tulip will win (based on polls taken before the first tour, asking about intention to vote in a second round).

But there was also data that a lot of French voters had trouble making up their minds before the first tour. The margin is tiny and there are 30 per cent of the voters to play for. It will be very close so will come down to who is most adept in the final furlong (the only one that really counts). I think there are enough voters to be convinced that Rolex can in principle pull this off. A wild card is the French internet and especially the intriguing Twitter development #radiolondres

Rolex has going for him that he is smarter, quicker and more ruthless than Tulip. Also, there is going to be at least one debate – and I think Rolex can win it.

The Marine Le Pen National Front voters will not necessarily vote for Rolex in the second tour – the NF is fundamentally a socialist party with nationalist sentiments. A lot of them used to vote Communist. But I think most will, because Rolex talks tougher on immigrants and they are more nationalist than socialist, fundamentally.

(Yes, the NF are really national socialists. Although the mainstream media refer to them as a party of the extreme right, they could also be considered a party of the extreme left, a toxic melange of perverted socialism, authoritarian nationalism and coded racism. But they are not friends of business. Not a sweet-smelling mixture but it is one that can often attract disabused voters, such as my cleaning lady. She is hardly a fasco but she drives a 20-year-old car, knows nothing of the world outside the Hérault valley, and regards the choice between Tulip and Rolex as being one between the plague and cholera. And on this, she has a point.)

My own view is that Tulip will make things worse with his insane plans to increase taxes and utter ignorance on how to create jobs in the private sector.

Rolex may not make things much worse even if he is clueless how to make them better.)

I am feeling confident with my £30 0n Sarko at Paddypower at 11/4 and now with Ladbrooke’s offering 5-1, I might even raise my stake. It’s not over until Carla sings…

Comment on Playing with Fire by Simon Glendinning

Simon Glendinning — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:27:39 +0000

And then follows, perhaps, a southwards realignment in the Eurozone: au revoir Germany and bonjour Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain – all of whom have had quite enough of the ‘austerity’ pact and its growth-destroying constraints on fiscal stimulus thank you very much. But does Hollande have it in him to make a change for France in Europe? More Europe or another Europe.

Comment on Playing with Fire by Lucy Wadham

Lucy Wadham — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:42:38 +0000

I think that’s unlikely. Even if 60% of the FN votes go to Sarkozy – which is counting heavily on their haziness – Hollande is still more likely to win. http://www.ipsos.fr/ipsos-public-affairs/actualites/2012-04-22-francois-hollande-en-tete-intentions-vote-second-tour

Comment on Playing with Fire by Simon Glendinning

Simon Glendinning — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:01:13 +0000

Very interesting piece, but isn’t the logic of the argument here that Sarkozy will be remembered fondly if hazily by all those who voted for the National Front? His Buisson-backed rhetoric aligns with theirs. If Sarkozy can pick up a sizeable proportion of their votes in the second round…he might even scrape home.

Comment on The DSK case and the Sisterhood by Sara

Sara — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:23:52 +0000

Zabeth WOW indeed!
Obviously not stated by a victim of rape .

Comment on The DSK case and the Sisterhood by Zabeth

Zabeth — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:03:16 +0000

Emma Pathey:

“I just read the CNN article. It’s nice to see someone taking the sensible view of the DSK fiasco. As they say, a woman with her skirt up can usually run faster than a man with his trousers down!”

WOW, is all I can say to that.

Comment on The DSK case and the Sisterhood by Zabeth

Zabeth — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:02:31 +0000

This was written back in September. With all the subsequent dirt that has come out about DSK (serial infidelity, sexual harassment, other victims, prostitution rings, orgies, etc.) I wonder do you still view him as innocent? Maybe the media and the maid were right.

Comment on This is not a swimming pool by Vinnie

Vinnie — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 23:03:32 +0000

I have filmed in a swimming pool but not at people. I was filming the workings of the wave machine out of an interests I have with them. My Experience from taking photos on the poolside I had to fill a form which relates to photography usually name, address and reason.

Also as this was filming the wave machine they thought it was better to come to the swimming pool when it is closed to public.

The Manager of the swimming pool said their staff has to go for CRB Checks due to this mess.

Comment on About The Secret Life of France by Fiona

Fiona — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:20:08 +0000

Wow! Perhaps you would be happier in the UK????

Comment on About The Secret Life of France by Kathryn

Kathryn — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:24:35 +0000

Lucy. I nearly choked (with joy) to find a book on France that wasn’t about renovating a house or “food ‘n wine”. Bravo for exposing some of the more shadowy regions that the Anglo saxons dont even understand, nevermind wanna talk about! I read it in no time shouting “yeah yeah it’s all true” etc, like your other bloggers, but must say that it only touched on this vast can-o-worms called France. I would dearly love to take what you have thrown light on and expand on it in a sequel (!!) including as I go, other areas of psycopathy and dysfunction such as The Family (not always as cosy as one would hope) The Health Service (I am a nurse in the O.R.in central France) the lack of help for those with mental problems. The complete absence of alternative ideas or methods of self help. The lack of comedy. Johny Halliday (oh God JOHNNY HALLIDAY. Run away!!) The highest incidence of suicide in Europe. Why are more than half the population on tranquilisers? Near total absence of anything spiritual for those who have questions. Why cant they sing or create music (they can mimick but not create. Well, nothing I want to listen to anyway)
What’s the obsession with putains? Give it a rest. It’s boring. Their miscarriages of justice are chilling often leaving innocent men in prisons for decades before letting them out with no littigation or culpability on the side of the law that put them there wrongly; the famous gendarmes having forced any old confession out of their victim for want of a longer lunch break or an early friday finish! (I’m guessing) Then there are the horrific murders that go for ever with no one being caught despite writing yearly anonymous messages to the police with clues!! Gawd, it’s like a comedy! and WHAT murders they are! I dont believe crime writers with carte blanche could dream up twisted events such as those that come to pass here. But it’s all “O.K.” because it’s in the name of “passion” and they simply couldn’t help themselves. . . .(!) Oh dear. Best start trying then what?
I have worked in an O.R. all my working life and am now 50 something. The behaviour I have seen here in France (their operating theatre) is unlike anything I could have prepared myself for. This subject is not worth starting on in a blogg message as it requires a book of its own. However it falls far short of what I have been used to in Blighty. The lack of professionalism, the foaming at the mouth with that special “passion” they have while shouting and gesticulating like crazed Wall Street “buyers”, the personal lives that intervene at every moment (we can do better leaving those at home no?) those huge visible egos that cant be camophlaged; the petulance and pouting (oh cringe) and the downright cruelty towards one another, not to mention the poor patients, more often than not riddled with one cancer or another. CA VA? they shout all the live long day just before putting them to sleep. I only ever heard ONE single brave soul who was pissed off enough to say. . .”well obviously not. That’s why I’m here” I nearly kissed him for DARING not to answer robotically like the rest of the nation. I totally agree with your take on that silly “mega-speak” thingy you mentioned Lucy, where they can be “triggered” by just the intonations of voice and certain key phrases and ways of speaking. You got to add “HEIN?” after 100% of what you say, otherwise they ignore you. Just dont hear you.
I’m a veggie and provoke a small theatrical “production” every lunchtime when I raise the lid of my lunchbox. Much tittering and pointing and questioning, and awe and wonder etc. This is after 5 years of “the lunch box” We still cant get over it. . .remind us why you dont eat meat. . .again? They nudge eachother and giggle and then just look blank as if summat just hasn’t quite ‘computed” in there, when I say “dont like it” or “not good for you” or sometimes “killing animals is strongly linked to ignorance” depending how I feel on the day. Weird no? It’s not even an outside option here. Not even ENTERED their heads that there’s another side of the debate. It could be seen as cruel. I only ever answer their questions and NEVER talk about veggetarianism without being engaged in conversation on the subject. Just a small example of those many ‘blank-spots’ in the French psyche. There are thousands but I was so pleased to have found someone who gave a more correct take on the place. Whew.
Good luck with your second husband! I look forward to more books.

Comment on The Delete Button by Fabian Sasi

Fabian Sasi — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:16:19 +0000

There's a tremendous amount involving polish immigrants moving into great britain nowadays. Listed here is a short overview of their immigration law via belgium to the united kingdom.emerytura w anglii

Comment on Notes from a Rebel Island by Jos

Jos — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 06:30:04 +0000

Loved your book. Indeed so much that sending a copy to my mother over in Valleraugue.

I agree with previous poster about Anglo Saxon. I have this with one of my Belgian friends who is quite big on The Anglo Saxon Conspiracy.

I am part of The Conspiracy because I am white and moderately successful. I get the impression that if I had a darker skin that I wouldn’t be so responsible. Indeed if I had a Scottish or Welsh accent I think I could be let off the hook. Though having a US accent also makes you part of the gang.

Anyhow you’ve probably had much more experience of this term. Might even be a good subject for the blog.

Comment on The DSK case and the Sisterhood by France, US and UK: Misogynistic Patriarchies | The French Connection

France, US and UK: Misogynistic Patriarchies | The French Connection — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 08:59:30 +0000

[...] Knowing, as I did, Strauss-Kahn’s reputation as a sexual predator and philanderer, I was not drawn to the man, even before he went to America and I doubt that I would have voted for him, but I still felt queasy at the sight of those shaming placards outside the courtroom on the day of his release, or of the abusive cry of: “DSK, you’re a sick bastard and your wife is even sicker.” CONTINUE [...]