Comments on: Life is what happens while you’re busy waiting in a queue

By: croquecamille

croquecamille — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:21:59 +0000

I mean gone. Crap.

By: croquecamille

croquecamille — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:21:39 +0000

It’s always the colleague who has the answer. I’ve found the best way to deal with the French when they’re being difficult is just to tell them what’s what. Once I got out of the chest x-ray requirement because I told the doctor’s receptionist (rather forcefully) that I had misunderstood her on the phone and has consequently not gon to the radiologist first. And then I stared her down. It was one of my proudest moments ever.

By: Hails

Hails — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:51:26 +0000

Grannymar – only if you ask in French!
EM – nah, not sad… there’s nothing nicer than unexpectedly finding a twenty when you weren’t expecting it. I actually think that setting up such a situation in advance must have quite positive effects on a person’s feelings of general well-being. Clever!

By: English Mum

English Mum — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:33:07 +0000

Yay! Flush with cash once again. You should be used to bloody queuing in the post office coming from Ireland! I have two purses as well – one wallet with cards and notes, and another for cash – occasionally I put notes in there too so when I find them I get a little suprise. Sad.

By: Grannymar

Grannymar — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:50:22 +0000

Your word pictures are wonderful.

Any chance of a loan now?

By: Hails

Hails — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 10:42:14 +0000

Jay, welcome! I was a little confused as I read your comments, since I have a friend called Jay and it didn’t seem like something he would write. I now see that you are a different one.

Thank you for your entertaining comments, and for taking the appropriate serious lessons from my posts. You’re the best kind of reader there is!

By: Jay

Jay — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:00:25 +0000

I haven’t read the original mugging/pickpocket story, but I see I need to go back and do that. Meanwhile, you have made something out of it – an extremely funny and educational tale!

Notes to self:

1) Never try to get anything done at lunchtime in France
2) Take a proficient French speaker with you on any and all official business.
3) Wear cut-offs with at least four pockets

Actually, I do that last one already.

Even when I carry a handbag – rare – I never keep both purses (wallets for the Americans, I think?) in the thing. And yes, I do have two purses. See, I’ve had my handbag (um … purse) stolen while out shopping, and you don’t have to teach me that lesson twice either. These days I split my money up between bum bag (uh … fanny pack?), and various pockets – I even split my travelling money three ways when I went on holiday recently. Some with me in my flight bag, some on my person, and some in a suitcase.

Paranoid? Moi? Ah, but I usually have enough money to get home with.