Again, following yesterdays blog post, more and more people start earlier and earlier from home so soon its time too set the alarm 30 minutes earlier again… But do anyone really like to get up at 04h00 if not needed?
In any case a fun link on why French people strike when they really do not need it.
Björn
Over and over, the same excuse, “French people have the right to strike that is why we do it” – newsflash… The right to strike is kind of not a exclusive right for the country of “Liberté, égalité, fraternité”, but equal unpleasant here as in Stockholm, London or Hong Kong. Even if they in Hong Kong actually strike and protest to live, not what happens here in France.
But I notice a shift in how the people not included in strikes reacts now. People are really tiered of this now. The smiles and the French “Hrmf” is not as jolly now as it was the first week of strikes.
The “work from home” and last of the vacation days are over so no excuse to stay at home, the need to get to work (walk 20 minutes or 2 hours make no difference) is there and it’s not a pretty sight. And the bonjour changed to a “growl” and not only one “putain”, but many sounds around you in the morning.
Last week 15 minutes earlier was enough, now I have to leave home additional 15 minutes early to make sure I can take a bus half of the way to work.
So my dear, go back back to work please
Björn
So, the 13th of December passed and as you know the 13th of December is the day when we Swedes celebrate Lucia. So I went to the Swedish Church in Paris together with two friends, not Swedish, to marketing Lucia.
For me as a Swedish person the celebration is kind of normal but it is obvious that Lucia is a strange animal in the zoo of traditions outside Scandinavia. Nevertheless it was a great success and to bring some non Swedes to a Church in the middle of December is actually a great idea.
And with longer opening hours on the day some Julbord was offered at the Swedish store in Paris. Julbord, traditional Christmas food. Also a success, even if I thought this point on the program might have been a larger risk than seeing Lucia.
Keep warm people
Björn N.
Just a new day, trying to be positive, not think about the grève, grippe ou refroidissement.
Not easy at all…
Björn
Pardon my French, but this fu***** strike! Seriously, the whole of Paris will spend the weeks up to Christmas AND Christmas in bed sick based on over crowded buses, long walks in the “fantastic” winter weather.
And to find out that none of the commercial unions don’t protest…. For me it’s mind blowing. If I was the owner of a shop, weeks before Christmas and the transport industry decided to strike… I mean, people do not shop when it’s impossible to bring your purchases home, so the income must drop. So, fire the store staff and blame the transport unions, maybe Mr Macron will wake up and not run around trying to save Russia and Ukraine.
Another thing I don’t get is that French people whom literally protest about everything buy this situation. It’s against all the rules you learn about the French.
Stop strike! NOW!
Björn
I wonder how it’s possible for the Unions in France to actually think a strike in December is a good idea? The most stressful time for most people, need to get down town and home again with packages etc, and not to speak about it… To and from work.
This morning i arrive to work looking like a cat just saved from the Seine, I am wet all over and cold… The only outcome will be that 50% of the Parisians will end up sick in bed over Christmas.
i’M NOT HAPPY
Björn
The upcoming strike creates a lot of problems when it is at the same time as a huge Conference. People leaving earlier to be sure to get home at all, staff need to walk to work… Fine if you live close to the venue but from the suburbs?
Not looking forward to this at all.
Björn
First blog post in December 2019, and the last month of the year (where did it go????) – and start with one of the most hectic weeks of the year at work so there will be both good and bad stress during this week.
Hopefully my free Friday will stay where it is, we know on Thursday.
Have a nice week
Björn
As you can see from the image above Crillon continues to get X-massed and today the Swedish Church open up their Christmas Market. So let’s see if weather allows to go there after work.
Björn
So, arrived to work this morning, and as I guessed, today the Hotel Crillon finally got their Christmas decorations up. I guess not in full yet but at least one of the trees are there
Björn
