Strikes!

Considering I've been in France for less than three months, I've already seen a lot of protests and a lot of strikes. Air traffic controllers, lorry drivers, teaching assistants...the list goes on. The bus conductors have a strike planned for December and this week alone teachers and Air France pilots were on strike. As for the trains, they're really reliable, but there's almost always a "social movement"! It makes the commute very stressful!

Not a lot of news to report from across the channel, as I've been really busy with work! (The French actually have a saying for this- métro, boulot, dodo, which translates as tube, work, bed!), but I have learnt a few more interesting things about the french way of life. 

Here in France everyone eats out at midday- the packed lunch as we know it doesn't exist! It turns out most businesses are part of a scheme where employees receive what's called a "ticket restaurant". As part of your monthly wage you receive a book of coupons (each worth about €7) which are valid in almost every café and restaurant. Most restaurants offer a €7 menu, which comprises a salad/baguette, dessert and drink. (It seems a really good scheme- the restaurants get more custom, and employees get a cheap meal (and in Paris, you're spoilt for choice!)

Sadly I've not been working here long enough to be entitled to these coupons, but more and more I'm being enticed by the bakeries and cafés, especially Starbucks, which has christmas drinks not available in the UK! With the lights having just been illuminated on the Champs Elysées, now seems the ideal time to wrap up warm with a hot chocolate and watch the world go by! I'm sure most people in England are doing the same!