Posted on 07/27/2014 12:12:01 PM PDT by not2be4gotten.com
Our last meal tonight, as I leave France, tomorrow, was a triple Whopper with cheese, extra pickle, at the only Burger King in France at the Saint-Lazare train station, Paris.
We cut it in half, for my girl and me.
It cost us 10 Euros, but it was amazing!
The French tomatoes juice running down my arm.
It was a sloppy mess of goodness!
Our last meal in France.
I would be interested in seeing that post.
Interesting observations. We had a wonderful time in Paris in 1986. The French people we came in contact with we’re charming and helpful although we had to make an attempt at their language.
My observation, not just in France, is that women who smoke use it for weight control which makes it especially hard to quit.
Have seen quite a few of those 'trikes' here, as an old motorcyclist, I wonder why, but to each his own. Do you see many 2-wheel motorcycles during the winter there? I was under the impression many ride all year round out of necessity-their only vehicle.
No cheddar in the cheese shops? I understand Britons do enjoy their local cheddar--chunnel coach run, maybe?
Having been there over 60 times, I would say your opinions will change in several of these categories.
Unless you are a Jew, or a female in a Muslim area.
It's not much of a cheese shop, is it?
I spent some time in Germany last year. The little 2 wheel scooters were catching on, but when you have BMW’s why bother
There were a few Toyota’s and so on, but when you have BMW’s why bother.
French fries are good, sausage and kraut are good, the beer is probably like the French wine. Good, cheap and plentiful, it is what makes it livable.
The big junk food there is Doner Kebap which is just a Gyro.
Transportation: Population density is the key here-- Germany has about 80 million people, two-thirds of whom live in a 300 mile wide corridor stretching from Munich to Hamburg. Ditto for France if you take a 200 mile wide circumference around Paris. It's a lot easier (and makes sense) to have top-notch public transportation than to have that many people try to drive every day. It's also the case that European capitals are viewed as showcases for public spaces, so the state spends lavishly. You won't find transportation or public spaces like Paris in the poorer provincial cities off the tourist routes (like Verdun).
Working Hard: remember, those who work in private enterprise in France have to work very hard-- they're paying for the +50% of GDP consumed by those on the dole and the hordes of government employees who can retire at 55.
I was wonderin’ that myself. Perhaps the French have no use for cheddar? [Blasphemy!] ;)
With regard to why most cars in Europe are stick-shift, it’s simply the way it is. The most common thing I’ve heard as to why is better control in inclement weather conditions, particularly during the winter months.
Surprised to hear there’s an absence of Toyota and Honda autos; they’re quite common here in the Czech Republic, though not as common as the domestic automaker, Škoda. Ford is quite popular here too.
I enjoyed your comments. And would be very interested in a future post about Muslems in France.
My experience of France is from the late sixties. The people did smell then because no one wore deodorant, indoor plumbing was spotty, and women did not shave under their arms. I understand that all these conditions have improved.
Everyone in France smoked a lot. The favorite cigarette was the Gauloise. It stunk incredibly.
The food was wonderful; but then again, I was looking forward to French food and love omelettes, fruits and vegetables, especially potatoes, so I was not disappointed. Nor was I staying long-term; so I didn’t miss the Americanized ethnic foods (German saurkraut, Italian cuisine, etc) you described.
The people in the countryside were indeed warm, friendly and helpful, including when our car broke down. The people who worked in Paris were rude and snobbish, pretending not to understand my French (which was understood every other place in Europe, including outside of Paris) and generally behaving churlishly. One bakery woman would not even sell me a dozen croissants after I said it serveral different ways, lastly pointed to them and held fingers up, or even when I wrote it down. She laughed, shrugged and sneered the whole time. So I cussed her out in French, and judging by her red face and screams, she understood my French perfectly.
I wonder what kind of vehicle they use for the sorts of things we would use a pickup truck for?
I’ve never been to France but I’ve been to Denmark, and I was very aware of how much slimmer the people were. Portions in restaurants were smaller than here and food was generally more expensive.
You are surprised to see European cars in Europe?
Ever hear of Volkswagen,Mercedes, Renault,Pegeuot,Citroen,Fiat,BMW, Audi, Skoda, or SEAT?
Probably the only American player on the continent is Ford, with a huge factory dedicated by Henry and Adolph in the 1930s.
“French women are not fat.”
Probably has to do with 8.
Hell....
Where the food is British
The cars are French
The police are German
The lovers are Swiss
...and the whole thing is run by Italians.
I will be establishing a remote office in Dresden in the next two months. I plan to travel as much as possible when I am there. Your observations are helpful. I have never been to France but definitely plan to make several trips out there.Most of my time in Europe has always been in Poland, Czech Republic, and (former east) Germany. I have rarely met anyone who begrudged me as an American. For the most part everyone was cheery and friendly even with the language barrier. The only people I had a problem with are the occutard progressive types that LOVE telling everyone what they SHOULD do while crying about America telling the world what to do... Go figure.
I shall report.
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