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Politics : Your Thoughts Regarding France? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Wayne Rumball who wrote (143)	2/18/2003 6:45:12 PM
From: deibutfeif	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 662

re:Let me tell you about France...... Boy, what a great opening for my own story: I lived in St. Quentin-en-Yvelines (near Versailles) for 2.5 years in the early 80's. I had been brought over on a work contract - my car, an Alfa Romeo (US version) was shipped over for me. Well, to register it there, first I had to have it inspected and the guy nearly decided that I would have to REMOVE the side marker lamp that turn on with the parking lights. After all, this safety feature could be DANGEROUS! Next I had to have it smog tested - I thought it a bit surprising when the test equipment said that I had ZERO, repeat ZERO emmisions, but nobody else even blinked - I passed with flying colors. Next I had to have it "noise" tested. After about a week of calling around, the secretary at work found out that there would be a mobile testing van at such and such location at such and such time. So we show up. The guy's sitting on the tailgate of the testing van (yes, smoking of course), with no one in line. But he says he can only test cars that are ALREADY registered in France! Eventually, we find another facility on the other side of Paris. This guy doesn't bother to turn on his equipement - just comes out for a "listen" and then writes up the certificate! And then there's the story of my temporary Carte de Travaille - supposed to be good only for 6 months until the permanent one comes through. It never did - I had to renew the temp card 4 times. I'm now married to a German national, and I have to say I don't think the Germans hate or are jealous of Americans, but I wouldn't go that far about the French. Getting "saved" in two wars has made them feel impotent, I think. ~dbf