tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615835669512085965.post2986256980333115656..comments2023-10-20T14:57:09.447+02:00Comments on Paris Déjà Vu: Lost in Translation: A Mom in ParisPaigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05777428548325449024noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615835669512085965.post-69585478320561573432012-04-23T19:49:32.051+02:002012-04-23T19:49:32.051+02:00I have made many trips to Paris and feel comfortab...I have made many trips to Paris and feel comfortable with the culture (as I have seen it), but this story shows some major differences. So sorry that they made you cry, but the result justifies the means. It is amazing that creativity springs from such rule-following, but there are many artists, writers, etc. How did they get through a life of rules?<br /><br />Bises,<br />GenieGenie -- Paris and Beyondhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12758801373365481655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615835669512085965.post-18059127724762855262011-12-01T14:00:07.083+01:002011-12-01T14:00:07.083+01:00Hi Paige - I've been enjoying your blog. Abou...Hi Paige - I've been enjoying your blog. About 18 years ago I lived in Paris - (I was a student for one year and then an au pair for 2, but I did wear a bra!) Your blog really brings back memories . . . now I am a mom to two boys, 4 and 7, so all that about the chreche, the first day of first grade, and playing better in the country - when there are no dead lines and no place to be . . . honey, I hear you! And, originally from Southern California, we've recently relocated to Canada, leaving Trader Joes and the sunny weather behind, for snow and mega stores, I can so connect. Bon chance a vous et votre famille a Paris! I look forward to reading more!MasonLeskowitzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00628125418828136044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615835669512085965.post-65807736322890222652011-11-01T20:22:25.156+01:002011-11-01T20:22:25.156+01:00Wow, Paige! I do find here that (unlike Germany!)...Wow, Paige! I do find here that (unlike Germany!), if you have a "problem," they are much more apt here to bend the rules than even in the US. That said, bureaucrats with incredible job security often have nothing else better to do than throw their own "power" around... I was turned away at the "Centre" down in Burgundy in July because I'd called to sign up (the usual procedure up til then) and they'd lost the message but since instilled a "written application" process (not dissimilar to what you were mentioning about "crossing" the boxes). However, this time, I asked ahead by about a month and when I went in on Monday EXPECTING to be filling in forms, she told me not to worry about it, it was all set. LOL! That all said, they are like Brooklyn waitresses here: they are all "tough" but then get "soft" (or at least many of them do) after they've gotten to know you for a bit of time...<br />Hang in there!Mark and Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03742966669714264571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615835669512085965.post-16433800880505874672011-11-01T10:43:56.172+01:002011-11-01T10:43:56.172+01:00Hello Vicky - Thank you for your kind words about ...Hello Vicky - Thank you for your kind words about my HIP piece. And yes, the French bureaucracy and their forms...I try to look at each encounter as a personal challenge. Most of the time, I succeed and it always feels like a triumph! All the best, PaigePaigehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05777428548325449024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615835669512085965.post-57159637657206957352011-11-01T10:42:01.406+01:002011-11-01T10:42:01.406+01:00Hi Lynn - I love that quote! That feels exactly li...Hi Lynn - I love that quote! That feels exactly like what happened to me. And thank you for the tip about the WH Smith event. That will definitely go on our calendar for next year. In the meantime, I'm planning a big (week after) Halloween Party for the kids' school friends this coming Sunday. Twelve kids under age six in 100 sq meters - wish me luck!Paigehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05777428548325449024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615835669512085965.post-85069708129480801732011-11-01T07:55:10.624+01:002011-11-01T07:55:10.624+01:00The French bureaucracy...the form filling...it get...The French bureaucracy...the form filling...it gets me every time...I loved your article at HIP Paris....xvvicki archerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07847183975086900816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615835669512085965.post-55282226250344997322011-10-31T17:29:11.217+01:002011-10-31T17:29:11.217+01:00Oh, you poor thing! I read a quote recently that ...Oh, you poor thing! I read a quote recently that I'm reminded of now: "People cry not because they're weak. It's because they've been strong too long". But I wonder if a little part of you knew that desperate times call for desperate measures. I mean, in the end the crying worked, right?<br /><br />And here's an idea for next Halloween: take the kids to WH Smith -- besides a reading, their marketing director (also a mom) has organized 20+ local merchants to do trick-or-treating for the kids. http://www.whsmith.fr/evenementsE.htmLynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17506084811123828788noreply@blogger.com