Street Smart, I was amazed, really, at the way Paris was holding itself together. I could not have had a better time there, in spite of the economy -- and in spite of the fact that elevator repairs required us to WALK up (to the second level) of the Eiffel Tower. But I became very Parisian about it. Complain? Nope. I just saw it as an excuse to eat another pastry.
Re: Sustainability
tokyogai
5/24/2012 10:24:08 AM
It sure is possible. it isn't like we are in much better shape given all of the hard work and worry on this side of the pond. Maybe a little bread, some wine and some cheese is just what we need.
Re: Sustainability
ProfR
5/24/2012 9:32:46 AM
Let me take the other side of this. We have all seen recessions come and go - as have the French. So if you happen to live in France and have a job so you can afford the great bread and cheese - why worry - just ride it out. Maybe Americans take these things too hard?
@Noreen, you really gave us some amazing vignettes to capture the complete denial and "What, me worry?" attitude that is Paris today I haven't been there since the European debt crisis, but it sounds like nothing has changed...except more socialism. Makes me hungry for a big helping of Freedom Fries!
I lived in Europe for a couple years, France for one year. Great lifestyle. Sit around, eat great food, drink great wine, talk, have an espresso. Work is an afterthought. If you need to get something done make sure it's not one of the 15 holidays, before 10 am, between 12 noon and 2PM or after 5PM, or during the month of August.
Also, the taxpayer funds are constantly being used to refurbish maintain all their beautiful old historic buildings like the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre. Beautiful buildings, beautiful artwork. Must be expensive. And wherever you go, little men in green suits walk around cleaning up after you..
Like I said, great lifestyle. But how does a society sustain this? I often wondered that.
The answer is they sustain it with debt & taxes. But when the aging population gets larger than the younger working population, it doesn't work so well. There is nobody to pay back the debt at the rate tha the older generation borrowed.
This is the problem Europe is having. It's unsustainable. They need to wake up.
So do we.
The blogs and comments posted on Investor Uprising do not reflect the views of Investor Uprising, PRNewswire, or its sponsors. Investor Uprising, PRNewswire, and its sponsors do not assume responsibility for any comments, claims, or opinions made by authors and bloggers. They are no substitute for your own research and should not be relied upon for trading or any other purpose.
Tweet This