Vive la France!!!

[Christian P.]

As I am in France for a few weeks, it is a great opportunity to share some observations on what makes this country so awesome...

I'll start with today news:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13168354

France riot police face beer and wine meal ban

French riot police are outraged over plans to end a long-cherished tradition of drinking alcohol with their meals.

Under the terms of an interior ministry decree, riot police will no longer be allowed to wash down their lunch with a glass or two of beer or wine.

I personally do like the fact that it is socially accepted to have a drink at lunch.

That being said, one of the team members exaggerated a bit yesterday...and showed up totally drunk a few minutes before our 3 pm meeting...and was ruining the whole thing. It was quite a spectacle - something that would most likely have triggered quite some drama in the HR department in most US corporations....

[EMrider]

As I am in France for a few weeks, it is a great opportunity to share some observations on what makes this country so awesome...

I'll start with today news:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13168354

France riot police face beer and wine meal ban

French riot police are outraged over plans to end a long-cherished tradition of drinking alcohol with their meals.

Under the terms of an interior ministry decree, riot police will no longer be allowed to wash down their lunch with a glass or two of beer or wine.

I personally do like the fact that it is socially accepted to have a drink at lunch.

That being said, one of the team members exaggerated a bit yesterday...and showed up totally drunk a few minutes before our 3 pm meeting...and was ruining the whole thing. It was quite a spectacle - something that would most likely have triggered quite some drama in the HR department in most US corporations....

It is an odd country (from a US perspective of course) in many ways.

But I do admire their zeal and skill in creating and supporting epic sporting events. Dakar, TDF, megavalanche........if a full day of competition is good, then heck, why not 3 straight weeks?

[Christian P.]

2 elements to master if you work in Paris as a IT consultant:

Wear a suit and a tie.

Shake hands to everyone when you arrive in the morning and you leave at night.

Optionally, also consider taking up smoking...

[Christian P.]

Another thing to learn while you are here - get used to a bunch of really cool cars and motorcycles that we will never get in North america in my lifetime, such as the VW Scirocco R TSI TDI

[barlowrs]

Just got back from a 4 week stint in Paris for work. I end up in various areas of France quite often. It is a wonderful country. If it wasn’t so hard for an American to get a job there, I would probably head there on a more permanent basis! Enjoy it while you are there.

[Christian P.]

Paris is a paradise for motorcyclists. I am amazed by the number of scooters everywhere in town. I am also amazed at how kamikaze the riders are - splitting lanes in the morning on the "Peripherique" at 60 mph is normal business...

It is also the only town I have seen that have a large network of "mototaxi".
We are not talking about the scooter taxi like in Thailand or Cambodia, but large Goldwing 1800 cc that carries passengers around town or to/from the airports.

[Patman]

French riot police are outraged over plans to end a long-cherished tradition of drinking alcohol with their meals.

So who is going to protect the public from the rioting riot police?

[Flounder]

I thought I was a good moto rider until I moved to Paris with my Ducati. I later realized i was a good rider, just not crazy enough.

[Christian P.]

I thought I was a good moto rider until I moved to Paris with my Ducati. I later realized i was a good rider, just not crazy enough.

I couldn't have imagined a better way to describe it.

[Scott Brady]

I always enjoy my travels to France. It is a living museum.