Ralentir ! … You must be joking.
Posted by Big John on June 28, 2008
I always enjoy visiting France and, on the whole, I find the French pleasant and friendly people, although the odd waiter does seem to look on me with disdain when I attempt to speak his language.
One thing that always amazes me when travelling in France is that I do not see more road accidents (only two on my latest 800 mile trip), because the French are seriously bad drivers who tend to ignore most traffic signs: and speaking of traffic signs … How about this ? …
Instead of separating cyclists from pedestrians, it seems to indicate that if you stick to your side of the pavement (sidewalk) you stand a very good chance of being hit by ‘un vélo’ !
Another thing that really pisses me off is their dog shit, it’s everywhere, despite the little dog ‘poo’ plastic bag dispensers with their very clear signs …
Here is a picture of a bloke kicking sand over his dog’s doings as the animal wanders off along the beach …
… The sign warns that … ‘dogs must be on a leash’ !
Do you suppose that the French’s confusion over signs has anything to do with …
… drinking too much of this stuff ? .
Oscarandre said
You reminded me of my first visit to Paris and how surprised I was that such a beautiful city should be speckled with dog droppings. A friend of mine’s elderly (English) father always spoke of his Channel neighbours (and despite any evidence to the contrary) thus: “Ah well, the French will never amount to much.”
Terri said
Nah, I think the French just don’t answer to authority.
BUT OH wow……I couldn’t believe that guy let the dog poop on the beach and didn’t PICK it up! Just covered it up…..that’s unforgivable!
Many beaches in Florida NO dogs are allowed and that has always ticked me off…..Hmmmm, I think maybe now I can see why. Might have some of the French and their dogs visiting Florida.
Cedar Key DOES allow dogs on our beach, by the way, and my dogs love going there…..but I must say, people are very good using those provided bags.
John-Ward Leighton said
We have a similar problem in Quebec, the French Canadians drive like maniacs although doggy doo is a particularly “French” problem. ha ha
(Although its no fun to step in it)
JWL
Ginnie said
Well, John, those are three good reasons to hurry back home. My home always looks best after I’ve visited foreign shores.
SilverTiger said
I am sure that you remember, as do I, from past years that Britain used to be every bit as besmirched with dogs’ do-doos as any French town. It is only comparatively recently that we have started to take action against this. Depending where you are, that action has met with rather patchy success. Our council only the other day sent us a circular discussing this very problem and asking what we thought should be done about it.
The other day on a Devon beach, I saw a dog owner carefully pick up his canine’s droppings and silently applauded him but I fear he is in a minority. I wouldn’t like to guess how many pooches I saw on beaches with signs reading “No dogs on this beach”.