Strike Party?

October 22, 2010

tags: Currencies Direct, Food & wine, HSBC, Living In France, Moving To France, Valbonnaise, Valbonne

The french are happy enjoying their favourite hobby if striking. It is a national pass time, much loved by the locals, and even supported by local students, none of whom can have any real idea of what life will be like when they come to contemplate retirement in 40 plus years time.

To put this protest in context, the strikes and general mayhem, all conducted in, it has to be said, a very convivial atmosphere here, in the Cote d’Azur seem to be more of a general joining in with a good party than with any overt political purpose.

The unrest relates to the proposed increase in the pensionable age from 60 to 62 in France. To put this is context, the retirement age in England has been 65 for many years, but was yesterday raised to 66. Were there any strikes in the UK? Where there any sit ins by students, were cars overturned and burned in central London? Not that I am aware of, yet the French, and especially the students are all up in arms, enjoying a good social rally.

The English, when they want a good social occasion, organise a party, or all agree to meet at the pub, the French? They have a strike and all meet at a rally to protest so that can enjoy each others company.

I suppose that there are some parallels. In the UK it can get leery on a Saturday Night, and the police often have to monitor events to ensure that things do not get out of hand, and I guess the same applies to a good rally in France. That must be the reason students are involved, because which student do you know is genuinely worried about the prospect of retiring two years later? When I was that age I could not see a life past the age if 30. The Who said it all ‘I hope I die before I got old’
Actually I did go a bit french in my teens, going on a march about something or other, but only because a girl I liked was going, however I reverted to type during the event by diverting her into a pub.

Yesterday to Antibes to meet far-sighted bankers HSBC who have seen the sense in referring clients with large forex needs to the joys of Currencies Direct, young Vincent there being particularly far-sighted. Thereafter to Chateau Begude, just outside Valbonne to look at their conference facilities for the Tour De Finance that I am staging next year. I know you are all gagging to know more about this, but it is secret at the moment, so cannot even reveal the name of the Tour.

Pizza oil served in a baby's bottle at The Valbonnaise

I have my cholesterol result, and it is even better than I hoped, a reading of over 8 is a triumph, so what better way to celebrate than early doors at the Queens Legs with Claire Warner and a pizza at the Valbonnaise? Of course as anyone who knows her will be aware, the concept of “early”does not really exist for Clair, six o clock sharp meaning around 7 in her book.

Chris France

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