In article <Xns947AA5A071BEE225stellarcomcast.ne@204.127.199. 17>,
jcoulter <> wrote:
> Jenn <> wrote in
> news:jenn-:
>
>
> many things
> > are 'impossible' in France including substituting vanilla for almond
> > ice cream in a sunday
> >
> > I love France anyway -- but this is a continuing source of amusement
> > for Americans who come from a society in which flexibility is
> > generally the norm.
> >
>
> And yet many things that would be impossible in the States are second
> nature to the French who are at times very creative in bending rules to
> their liking.
>
> A restaurant needs a non smoking area, as required by law, pick up the
> ash tray and Voila! espace non fumeur. A patron on the edge of non
> smoking wants a light, the waiter lights the cigarette. customer
> complains Waiter looks around, says, truthfully, "They are all smoking,
> what is one more?"
>
> Residencey is required for marriage. Stranger or big shot comes to town
> wants to get married. Marie says No way, third cousin of local somebody
> shows up. They are instantly registered in the ville and wedding
> follows.
LOL no doubt -- I remember a conversation with a British relative at
Christmas a year ago about how the French managed to make EU regulations
'flexible' -- e.g. the rules require expensive frigerated trucks to
haul fish to the ports -- this cost many Brits a ton and put others out
of business -- they arrive in France to check out the business there --
no refrigerated trucks because in France a regulation was interpreted to
allow agencies near ports to dispense with this rule
so I guess it is rigid unless palms are greased or you know someone to
cut a deal