The lazy day's of summer.....

It's absolutely dead in paris this weekend (but I love it), August is a great month to be here and I have too much work to think about going on holiday until Christmas. Tuesday's bank holiday (Assumption) means that 99% of those who hadn't already decamped for the entire month made a break for the coast or country and it was eerily silent on Friday at about 7pm, even my 7-11 grocery was closed and I ended up shopping at La Grande Epicerie (my 7-11 when feeling rich). It was especially deserted instead of stuffed to the gills with the well-heeled denizen's of the 6eme stocking up for a Friday's diner à deux.

I was unsurprised to read that Parisians work the least amount of hours per year compared to other city dwellers. Apart from the ample public holidays, just catching someone at their desk here is a challenge.

You either call at 9.30am and the person is not in until "after 10", and I typically move onto another job and forget to ring back antil it's ten minutes to midday........Can I catch them before lunch?

"Sorry, they've just left for lunch , try again after 2pm Madame".........Forget again and see it's 5.15pm and of course, no point even calling, everyone has gone home.

What about leaving a message? After naively doing this for about a year after coming here I don't even bother now. If I can force the receptionist, assistant or co-worker (yes, force) to even take my name and number, the chances that the person will act on this are less than zero. I've no idea if it's because it's not been passed on or the person can't be bothered. I just don't even waste time leaving my number anymore, believe it or not it's simpler to do the "between breaks jive".

Comments

[Nikki]

I LOVE Bon Marche (or La Grande Epicerie). Was there almost everyday while in Paris.