By now I'm sure you're aware of the letter by Titan tire chief executive Maurice Taylor, who accused the French of only working for three hours a day. I'm afraid it's true that, among Anglo-Saxons, the French are notorious for their... nonchalant attitude to work. Personally, I approve of this. After years of eating bad sandwiches at my tiny desk in the UK, it was a pleasure when I arrived in Paris to eat a proper lunch in a canteen or a restaurant. (I'm actually writing this article in a brasserie called the Garçon de Café in Clichy. Food for thought.) I believe the French have the right attitude to life and work - which is that life is more important.
Besides, my new researcher pals at Sociovision tell me it's not true that the French hate work. In fact, you love it. More specifically, you love your colleagues. France has one of the highest rates of workplace romances in the world. And by that I mean relationships that end in marriage, not a drunken quickie with a co-worker. Work for the French is not just about work, it's also about socializing and interacting. Productivity may be lower than it is in China, but the workplace is a hell of a lot more fun. At least according to Sociovision. The last time I had a full-time job in Paris was in 2000. These days I work for myself, so my personal goal is two hours a day. Actually, I'd better go. My time is almost up.
