December 2012 -

Christmas calender in France! How much should I give?

 

Beware bogus Christmas calender doorstep selling!

 

Be vigilant. Last year in several communes of the P-O, and particularly those with ex pat communities, residents were surprised to be approached several times in one day by people claiming to be council workers. (bins, post etc.) The real calendar sellers should be wearing their council jackets or uniforms. The bogus ones are said to be wearing typical fluorescent gilets

 

 

In time honoured French tradition, the firemen, refuse collectors and all manner of public service providers will soon be knocking at your door to offer you their Christmas calendar.

How much should I give?
This is a goodwill donation - not an obligation - and is simply a way to provide you with the possibility of showing your local services that you appreciate them.

Will they still respect you in the morning if you don’t buy their calendar?
Well, I suppose it depends on the individual but in my experience, I have never had anything but smiles, goodwill and a friendly handshake, whether I’ve given one euro or ten euros......and photos of hunky fireman in uniform staring down at me as I drink my breakfast cup of tea have got to be worth a euro or two, don’t you think so ladies?

Do remember also that your local bank, insurance, butcher, baker and candlestick maker will probably have a calendar to give you to remind you that you are a valued customer - often they will propose a very useful wall or desk agenda - particularly nice as, if you have already been visited by the local services, you will probably be a bit ’calendar-bound’, so these make a refreshing change. If they don’t ’propose’ it to you, do ask for one - they might just have forgotten to suggest it!