(no subject)
Hey everyone! It's been quite a while, so I decided it was time for an update. The strikes/demonstrations here in France have partially shut down my university, which makes it a little harder for me to have internet access. Some of my classes seem to be canceled indefinately, while others are running pretty smoothly. It's wierd because some people back home seem to think that what's going on here in France is some kind of rioting, but really it's just scheduled demonstrations. Granted, things have gotten a little violent in Paris, but here in Nancy it's mostly just annoying at this point. The students sit on the train tracks or barricade the streets to stop public transportation. Some places in France they are trying to block mail service as well. The riot police have been showing up during the 'manifestations', but I don't believe there's really been any violence here. In Paris and Marseilles, it's another story. But I think the young people who get really violent don't give a shit about the 'C.P.E.' or job security, they just want a chance to attack the riot police and feel like they're anarchists or something.
Sorry if I sound bitter and pessimistic. For me, as an American, I can't really see what the big deal is, and I tend to think that all these students are just enjoying marching around and not going to class for a month and claiming it's for some kind of cause. And it's not only us American students who feel this way, but many of the Asian students too. For us, I think we see that the French in general do not place a high value on work. I think that we feel like they already have a much 'softer' 'cushier' work system, so why all the fuss about this little issue?
Basically, in America, there are plenty of jobs where you are never guaranteed 'lifetime' employment, and for jobs where you do get 'tenure', it's certainly not out of the ordinary to have to wait a couple years. Basically, for the French, the normal waiting period is a matter of 2 or 3 months before your employer has to decide if they want to keep you for life or get rid of you. No wonder they don't want to hire young people with little or no work experience! After a couple of months they are stuck with you! Basically all the law is saying is that employers would have a year or two to see what sort of employee you are before they sign you up for what ammounts to a lifetime contract. These French young people seem to think that businesses would just love to hire them and fire them before the two years are up and then hire more people and fire them too... That's so silly! What in the world would be the point of that? No business in it's right mind would encourage that kind of turnover!
Ok, I know I'm simplifying the issue, but I'm just a little annoyed today. I know it's all just part of the French culture and all... but to be honest, I'm sick of the French culture and I'm tired of France. Don't get me wrong, there are definately nice people here... just, in general, I don't care for the society. Going to Ireland really made me realize that. I loved everything about Ireland - the people, the culture, the language... of course the music. I might write more about it later. I wanted this entry to be less about France and more about me in France, but that's all I have time for at the moment.
Much love,
Sarah
Sorry if I sound bitter and pessimistic. For me, as an American, I can't really see what the big deal is, and I tend to think that all these students are just enjoying marching around and not going to class for a month and claiming it's for some kind of cause. And it's not only us American students who feel this way, but many of the Asian students too. For us, I think we see that the French in general do not place a high value on work. I think that we feel like they already have a much 'softer' 'cushier' work system, so why all the fuss about this little issue?
Basically, in America, there are plenty of jobs where you are never guaranteed 'lifetime' employment, and for jobs where you do get 'tenure', it's certainly not out of the ordinary to have to wait a couple years. Basically, for the French, the normal waiting period is a matter of 2 or 3 months before your employer has to decide if they want to keep you for life or get rid of you. No wonder they don't want to hire young people with little or no work experience! After a couple of months they are stuck with you! Basically all the law is saying is that employers would have a year or two to see what sort of employee you are before they sign you up for what ammounts to a lifetime contract. These French young people seem to think that businesses would just love to hire them and fire them before the two years are up and then hire more people and fire them too... That's so silly! What in the world would be the point of that? No business in it's right mind would encourage that kind of turnover!
Ok, I know I'm simplifying the issue, but I'm just a little annoyed today. I know it's all just part of the French culture and all... but to be honest, I'm sick of the French culture and I'm tired of France. Don't get me wrong, there are definately nice people here... just, in general, I don't care for the society. Going to Ireland really made me realize that. I loved everything about Ireland - the people, the culture, the language... of course the music. I might write more about it later. I wanted this entry to be less about France and more about me in France, but that's all I have time for at the moment.
Much love,
Sarah