Hi Val
Unfortunately, in our village, this would never happen as even French newcomer are not that welcome at the mairie (and innovative ideas are not either)...But then, St Antonin is quite big as far as villages go.
The French really do have the impression that the British do not want to mix in, but there's a mix of other things, too.
When the article "quand les Français parlent aux Anglais" was published, we got a few remarks like "If they don't like our health system, they should go back to where they come from" and I'm afraid this article actually cost us a few votes. They hate it when foreigners criticize French systems - although the French themselves might do it all day long.
They also resent the fact that when English people came to the region, they had more money that local people, and although I dare say they were happy to sell houses and plots at a much higher price, they now complain that their children cannot buy property. Mind you, they have exactly the same attitude towards "Parisiens" (= basically anybody born North of Caussade, I believe!).
Despite all this, although they can be grouchy and narrow minded and "grande gueule" I have found local people to be absolutely marvellous, welcoming, generous, kind, helpful, good fun, knowledgeable about nature, with a shrewd eye, etc. as long as you respect their codes and show some respect.
They respect hard work and appreciate a smiling attitude and people who speak their mind.
One of my English neighbours entirely rebuilt his house and he's highly respected for this. And the British have a reputation for being good at renovating houses (can't be all bad, can they)
The most important thing is "Ne pas nous prendre de haut", so the best tip I can offer is to go to them and get them to talk about their region, their history, childhood, nature, etc. and really listen, it's actually very interesting and you will be amply rewarded.
Of course common language is vital, and most French people believe that British people refuse to learn French, and that's not at all acceptable.
If you learn French and try to listen to them, they are the most welcoming people on earth and will make the nicest friends and neighbours.
I know I've made a lot of friends in just a little over a year, and this wouldn't happen everywhere in France. If the Var region where I was born, you'd have to know another person for three generations before you're invited in for coffee, so trust me on that.
Think about it, in one year, we're invited to dinner nearly every week, have been initiated to truffle hunting (and wild leeks or "poireaux de vigne"), I have taken part in the local elections and if we ever go to the market, that takes two hours because we have to speak to so many people along the way I find it hard to actually buy any vegetables! That's for local people (les gens du cru). As for "les néo", the mentality is quite different, but I'll save this for another day!
I know a lot of people would love to find ways to help both communities to mix in St Antonin, may be we should get everyone together for a brainstorming session!
Ok, back to work now.
Laure
Val says sadly as I wrote it I knew that in our small village with Massat that would never happen either but it is a Utopia to work for. Only by mixing more will we realise none of us are " so bad" and might actually have many things in common.
We have a Frenchman down the road living here 50 years now and he is still known as the Parisien... what chance do we have!
We will meet up Laure, I like your style and ideas.
grande guele is loud mouthed
"Ne pas nous prendre de haut", means do not look down on us
les néo is the new people
We have a Frenchman down the road living here 50 years now and he is still known as the Parisien... what chance do we have!
We will meet up Laure, I like your style and ideas.
grande guele is loud mouthed
"Ne pas nous prendre de haut", means do not look down on us
les néo is the new people
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