HR in Paris vs. US

Hey folks - A quick question for you - Jano said she has posted comments but I never got them. Is anyone else having the same problem? I got Janet's post - but not Jannette's. Odd....

So let me tell you about the French lesson I had the other day at lunch. I have a very wonderful colleague who sits right behind me at work. She is probably my closest friend here. So - she asked me to lunch the other day and I was delighted to join her. (In my office, there is a huge restaurant and it's the only place you can eat during the day. There are no other break rooms or places to warm up food - so you really MUST go to lunch every single day with people - not just a quick bite alone at your desk).

So - my friend (who wishes to remain anonymous...so I will call her Sophie) and I join some other HR people and get down to our usual girl gossip. Sophie is busy describing the situation faced by a girl that she knows at work. This girl's boss makes her do lots and lots of work, but never gives her any credit - unless it fails. You know the type. So as Sophie was describing this horrible situation she said "You know - it's just like she is his <>" At this point, I almost spit my food into her face. I am sure that I misunderstood. Everyone stopped to see if I was okay because my face turned red and my eyes were watering. I choked out - "what did you say she was?" And Sophie said "I said she is his His <>" OMG - WTF - I can't believe my ears. I am sitting at a table full of HR people and they are casually using the N word? Is it normal? Is this an acceptable word in France???? HOLY CRAP!!!!!! I know - Lee you must be imagining my face and spitting your coffee onto your computer right now! LOL!!!! My other friend tried to explain... "No Lorraine it's not the same as in the US - it means that she is his slave" OMG - REALLY - THAT IS THE SAME THING! I mean you just can't imagine my reaction. They kept explaining and it kept getting worse. It was probably the funniest cultural moment to watch as an observer. WOW - I think that's all I can say about that. Sophie is an amazing HR person - it's just different!

So to change the subject to a more P.C. one - I have been re-familiarizing myself with my guitar since we have been here. I have learned how to play: Breakdown (Tom Petty); Some of Stairway to Heaven (Led); Creep (Radiohead); Doll Parts (Hole); Travelling Soldier (Dixie Chicks); Patients (GNR). Thanks for that present mom - it's the gift that has kept giving for the last 16 years! If any of you have a suggested song - please send it to me - I am really loving it and didn't realize how much I missed it. Louellen - I know you must have some ideas!

Well that will sum it up for tonight - we are about to go out and get some hot chocolate from the tabac! :-) I just wanted to write a quick note because I was thinking about how much I miss you. Today is Ashaley's birthday and in a week it will be Lee's. I hope you guys are having a good time and livin it up Texas style! Happy birthday Ash - I hope you see this message and that you are doing okay! I look forward to hearing from you all and please do let me know if you are sending comments through the post function and it's not working.

Love you!

Bonne Annee

New Year's Eve 2008 was very interesting! We went to a very nice little Italian restaurant that was close to our house. It's was eerie how empty the streets were at the typical Parisian dinner time (8pm). We snuck int0 the first restaurant we found that had a promising aroma. The restaurant was playing jazz greats all night - Louis, Ella, Billie. It was hard for me not to stay right there. The whole dining room had a nice rosie glow and was lit up by candles. There were red table cloths, red tapestries on the wall and red carpet. The proprietor was very anxious as he tried to keep the staff moving to accommodate the threat of a busy night. To his dismay, we didn't have reservations and for punishment, he nestled into a tiny table practically on top of these two old Italian women. It was lovely. When our supper was through, we walked towards the Arc de Triomphe and that is where we found the rest of Paris. The party had already begun. There were drunk people and stern cops everywhere.

We made our way to the metro because I wanted to bring in the New Year at the Tour Eiffel. The metro was free on NYE and people really took advantage of it. The train was packed as we made our way to the Bir-Hakim stop. When we got off - we couldn't believe our eyes. There were millions of people - most of them totally drunk off their butts. We pushed our way toward the lawn of the Eiffel Tower - and were greeted by the noise of individual fireworks that people brought with them. There were lots of Arabic people there who were celebrating the New Year, but making statements by chanting in circles and waving Palestinian flags. The air was charged with tension. Cindy was actually grabbed by one of them and he was drunkenly yelling at her. I pulled her away from him as she began to cuss him out - and we decided that the lawn was not the side for us. We got over to the street side with the carousel and crepe stands and did the count down there. It was rather uneventful. We were talking to a pair of Canadians and they joked that it must have been scaled down due to the economic crisis! So - it was over and we were contemplating how to get home. We went in one direction but, to no avail. The street was so packed that we couldn't make any progress at all. Another guy actually pulled my hair while we were in the crowd. It was crazy. So we decided to walk down to the next metro stop, but we didn't fare any better. This time people were pushing and shoving in the line so we got out as quickly as we could. We decided to walk. Luckily, Lee was near his computer and he Google guided us through the 16th arrondisment until we got to a metro stop that we recognized. (Thanks Lee B) We were happy to get home eventually.

Yesterday, we went to the Montmartre area of Paris. This area is known for strip clubs and all the fun that comes along with them. It's the "red light" district of Paris. We got to see the windmills of the Moulin Rouge. We also went to the Musee de l'erotisme http://www.musee-erotisme.com/fichiers/home.php?lang=en. Not for the faint of heart - Jano and Nikki - but check it out if you dare! Beside the museum is the Rebecca Rils sex supermarket. A huge toy shop that was really fun to visit!

Today we are paying for the adventure. It's so dang cold outside that no matter how you bundle up, you get the sniffles. Cindy sounds terrible and I have a little cough. Hopefully it will go away quickly because I finally get back to work tomorrow.

Just a couple of shout outs before I go. Jano - the peacocks! I was so happy to get that package - thank you s0 much - and thanks Lee Mee for sending it! Nicole and Sonia - we are searching for buttermilk but will have those made up very soon. Thank you! And Laurel - thanks for your message. You reminded us both that this is an adventure and we have to approach it as such. I really needed an attitude adjustment!

Love you guys and miss you!