The things I don't like here

I read with great interest a post from one blogger.  She made a list of things she didn't like about Denmark.  I am tempted to do the same with France.  I am here because of professional reasons but I miss Canada a great deal.  To be fair, I would say that France has some qualities too, like culture, food, shares borders with 7 different countries (if I include Monaco).  But hey, you know me, I am the queen of criticisms and when it comes to bitching France I am unstoppable.  When I see books in English, blogs about idolizing French culture or how French women are so sophisticated, it infuriates me.  I don't know the exact title of those books, but "bringing up bébé" or other random stuff about how French women being thiner than others are  so far from the truth.  It's a shame that some people are making good money out of myths, but they sell books....and people will be continuing buying them.   Sorry if you are obsessed with France but it's not as idyllic as you think it is.  I have written this post few months ago but never published it because I'm too damn critical and so politically incorrect.

 Here are some of the things I've heard :

Myths vs reality:

French women (Parisians) are thin : get real, French women have weight issues like any other women in developed countries.  I don't live in Paris, but here in North of France, they are not thin at all.  Problem is that we never ever find sizes like 42-44 (size 12-14 in Canada or U.S) in the clothing stores, they are all gone first.

French kids eat so much better and eat everything:  we had several employees that are fairly young in the Company.  They are in their 20's.  I can say that all of them don't eat vegetables or cheese!  Their parents fed them meat and fries and as adults they only eat junk food.  I was pretty shocked when I learn that pretty much all of them don't care for cheese, they can't even stand the smell when we eat cheese in front of them.  They prefer beer to wine, which is something I can't understand either.  (North of France is more about beer than wine though).  Eating at Mc Donalds is not as shameful here.

The School system is good in France: I don't agree with that. They have a system based on Elitism.  If you fall behind at school, you are left out and you would have to go through a technical route.

At our company, we hired young employees a couple of years ago, some didn't have a high school diploma.  For example, you are 15 years old, and you are not really good at school, chances are you will have to follow a technical training, such as baker, plumer, etc. I'm not saying that those trainings are bad, I just find sad that those who are not good enough at school are left without general knowledge.  When I studied in Québec, in high school, we had to get our high school diploma before choosing any further training.  General saying in Québec : you need a high school diploma even for garbage picking.

So those guys we hired had very low knowledge of things.  I'm sad to say this is how social cleavages are made.  The less educated are left aside and the educated ones get the good jobs.  I am convinced that this academic elitism plays a big part in the social disparities in France.  Did you know that most of postsecondary education is almost free in France? well guess who get to go to universities and good schools? not the poors but the already fortunate ones.

Les Grandes Écoles, those schools are the top here.  Those universities (they don't even want to say universities because it is not prestigious enough) are for the ones who made through a long process : Prépa, concours.  Most of the students are from upper middle class or higher.  When they wanted to facilitates entries for regular candidates who are from "poor parisian districts", some students were not happy about it.

Health care system is good in France : True, but really expensive for the government.   I can only compare this to Canada, where health care is free.  I found some differences between Ontario and Québec, but I can say that when I walked into a medical centre in Canada, I only had to show my health card and I never bother to know how much it costs to see a doctor.  In France, you need to pay your doctor, then you get a reimbursement from la Caisse primaire d'assurance maladie.   So 23 euros for a consultation and you get a reimbursement of 70%.  Meds are also reimbursed.  The caisse primaire also pays a certain percentage for sick leave when an employee is off for a couple of days.  A lot of abuse is made due to pharmaceutical lobby and lazy employees who are not sick but don't want to work.  


Racism
Being a visible minority is not easy, especially in France.  I was discriminated against a few times.  Some where "in my face".  We wanted to get married in the village where my husband grew up and I was told to go to Lille because they don't know how to organize it for étrangers.  And the Mairie employee said : who knows if this is a Mariage Blanc.  (to get papers to live in France).  The nerves. Racism is common and nobody seems to be shocked or ashamed of it, even my in laws....

My list is not completed, but lots of things are not working in France and I don't know if they will ever change.

Fêtes des voisins

Warning : Topic against religion

Last Friday there was a get-together with the neighbours of our street for la Fête des voisins.  Since we live in a long street and the next neighbour is at 500m, we just don't know them and most of them are farmers.  When our neighbour invited us, the one who breeds and sells porks invited us, we reluctantly agreed.  We are just not social people. It was a pot luck and everybody brought salad and dessert.  I made 24 muffins and they were all excited about them : ce sont des coupe-cakes! I said no muffins! there's no icing on them.  I don't understand the fuss about them.  It seems exotic to them.  Another neighbour brought organic radishes.  And of course, the pièce of resistance : the BBQ pork.  We had so much crémant (sparkling wine) and beer, people were starting to talk very loudly.  We stayed up until 1 am.

One neighbour was asking if we can get together for various activities, like forming a group to speak in English or rural catholic gatherings.  I was thinking to myself how I could dodge from the religious stuff.  In Canada, we are not catholic, well not openly.  Quebecers rebelled against religion during "La révolution Tranquille".  In the North of France, catholicism is still present.  When I first arrived here, all I can hear from my sister in law is : "ils sont habillés catho, ce sont des cathos....". (they are dressed cathos, they are catholics).  I thought she was judgmental and I just didn't get it.  But she was sent to catholic private school so she knew a great deal about them. I don't want to ruffle people by saying this, but Cathos are almost a distinctive social class of  its own.  Most of them go to catholic private schools, they have at least 3 children and they speak a certain way.  And of course, they have well positionned jobs.  They have their own network and in the North of France, some of them are descending from rich textile industrial families. Some of them are bourgois, and inherited family fortune.  Some are financially comfortable farmers. I think they are a minority but are very influential in politics, mostly right-wing. They were the ones protesting against gay marriage.

So I was surprised when the neighbours talked about the rural catholic gatherings.  I just nodded and kept quiet. Aside from the age gap, I don't see myself hanging out with those women.  They are in their own bubble. But the neighbours don't seem too rigid.  They are farmers and they are doing the catholic stuff out of habits. During the get-together, nobody talked about politics or religion, well aside from their catholic gatherings and their private schools. It's not something  you want to discuss with almost-strangers. But we had fun and are planning to see each other next year for la fête des voisins.

Le potager et les chats de la Ferme

It's my birthday today!  I am now 35.  Time passes by too quickly.  I'm not exactly where I wanted to be when it comes to my personal goals.  I never thought in my life I would be living in France for 7 years.  Franckly, I wish I would be somewhere here, i.e. Canada.  On the other side, I have started looking for the possibilities on becoming French.  I must admit, it's not something I want bad, it's just a backup thing.  I have intentionally postpone my visit to the Canadian Embassy to get my background check (criminal records).  I'll call them tomorrow (I know, procrastining).  To get "naturalized", I would have to provide a criminal records from my country, an exam of significant knowledge of French language (even though French is my first language and all my courses at school were in French).  We will see if I will have everything checked for my application dossier.

To change subject, I've developped a little obsession with my mini-garden.  Since it's been so cold lately, I have only started a few weeks ago.  Even if the farm has potential for serious gardening, no spot is really allocated for growing veggies.  Besides, gardening in pots is less hard on my bones.  My only worry, the Farm cats, they like to dig and make deposits in the pots! damn cats!  I have put some branches and plastic forks to scare them away.

Cold Spring

It has been a cold spring around here.  I don't recall having such a cold spring since I've been in France. Ok, North of France is pretty cold compare to the rest of the country.  I don't believe we'll be in May in a few days and we are heating the house.  

Besides the cold weather, France has governmental problems.  And now, France is voting a new law for gay mariage.  Most of us would consider this as a small issue but minority of people (extremists) are in the streets to protest against this new law.  In Canada, it is legal since 2005 throughout the country.  It's been legal in Spain since 2005 as well, a country way more catholic.  You can see here on the map which european countries have legalized gay marriage : http://www.touteleurope.eu/index.php?id=5560

If you have read my blog before, you would know that I am very critical of France, which is one of the reasons why I choose to express my opinions in English.  I am amazed how this country can be so conservative.  It's all about tradition, family.  The anti gay marriage people want to protect the families : i.e. a family is one dad and a mom, period.   Lately, there is a rise of violence towards gay people because of the protests. I'm appalled that they call it : le printemps français (french Spring).  Comparing this to the Arab Spring.  Some right wings politicians were in the anti-gay marriage parades.  It's like they were agreeing that it was O.K. to be openly homophobic.

These people should calm down, it's official France will legalize Gay Marriage today. Here's to Equality!

New Food

If you have read my previous posts, I'm constantly obsessing with my weight.  I eat less junk food and try to eat healthy most of the time.

I cut down on ice cream and potatoe chips, but last weekend I lost it : bought a huge bag of chips and ate the Häagen-Dazs bucket in one evening (ok only 1/3 but my husband ate most of it).  I felt terrible, my stomach can't process that anymore.  Anyways, it felt good to let it go a little.

The next evening we ate homemade sushis and edamame beans.  It's the new food trend now, edamame.  They are addictive.  You can find them at Picard, if you live in France. In Canada it is easier to find  them at L.o.b.l.a.w.s or C.o.s.t.c.o. They sold them already peeled. I found out about the beans 2 years ago in Canada.  I asked my friend what is this hairy bean? She was shocked that I had never had edamame beans before.

If you haven't tried them already,  you can use those beans in an Asian style salad or any recipes you like or as a snack.