Most people in Europe get paid a reasonable salary to work in a department store etc, you wouldn’t get that in north america…

But it is something we all have to be so aware of!

It is unbelievable, isn’t it? But it is true!
The companies accuse the working force of not being productive enough in order to increase the salaries; the workers say that for that amount of money why bust their butts working? It is shocking!

Oh no, real estate is not cheap here! In France rents are cheaper than here. It is quite a paradox.

Conclusion: most people receive subsidies from the government to help them pay the bills.

@Bill Miller — I came to realize that France does not have so many social services anymore… The health system for example — which is very complex –is good, but not always free. Even I was surprised because I had always heard it was the best.

@Sidney — I understand your comment. France is rich compared to a lot of countries. Situation is much worse in parts of South America, Asia etc. Of course, there are different “levels” of poverty — I would not compare French poverty with life in Bolivia’s countryside. That said, I’m seeing my home country getting poorer and people’s life getting harder.

@Gail at Large — I don’t complain as much as I used to! It is a French trademark… same as Canadians complaing about the weather.

@CM-Chap — We mostly hear about the US crisis, much less about how other countries are affected.

@Khengsiong — Interesting… I do not know much about the situation in South East Asia… but I assume every country feels the crisis as well.

@Bluefish — It’s about 17% I think. But it’s included in the price, unlike Canada.

@barbara — You are right. It’s difficult to compare prices anyway. Ultimately, it depends where you feel good! I like seeing expats from all over the world enjoying life in France, like I enjoy my life in Canada.

@shionge — Food is very cheap in North America… I think it’s the cheaper among western countries!

@Max Coutinho — I can’t believe the SMIC is so low in Portugal — surely, life must be expensive as well with the euro! I can’t see people surviving with 500 euro, even if real estate might be a bit cheaper. Wow!

Oh, here it is the same everywhere “É a crise!”…I think the same is being said all around the world *nodding*.

In Portugal, when the Euro “invaded” us, the prices doubled! Can you believe it? Yet the salaries didn’t…
I don’t think it is the Euro’s fault, I believe it was the commercial and governmental institutions’ fault.

Ok, France is quite expensive…the prices in Portugal have decreased recently, because we are going through a deflation.
Well, the Macbook and ipod cannot be compared to Canada because those products are American, right? American products pay a higher tax in Europe, than in Canada (in which perhaps pays no tax, the same way products from the EU do not pay taxes inside the EU member countries).

Oh, the Portuguese wished the SMIC were €1,037.53.…ours is €500 (a disgrace).

“what will it take to rebound to this situation?” — change the way it makes business. France is very conservative and an adept of protectionism (this must end). It must adapt to modern economy, and regulate its banks (the SG scandal was ridiculous — and that is why when Monsieur le Président Sarkozy demanded, in the G20 meeting, for international regulations for this and that, I laughed like crazy).

But worry not, France s’en va sortir!! Toute l’Europe s’en va sortir!!
Great article, cherie !

Cheers

Cheers