While immigrants from Africa and elsewhere are no doubt poor in France, when I was there, they seemed to be the sole repository of anything resembling an entrepreneurial spirit. They run all the souvenir stands, and most sidewalk vending outfits. During the heat wave, they were doing yeoman business selling water bottles out of tubs of ice on corners all over Paris. Lord knows they got enough of my money.
In Nice, on the beach, one guy was selling crisp watermelon slices out of a cooler, and good ones, too. If fish started raining from the sky, you would turn around and you can bet one of these guys would already be standing there with a fried fish concession.
Compare this to the "entitlement philosophy" that seems to pervade native Frenchmen.
In thirty years these people will probably own Paris, and it may be better off for it.
Off Topic » in reply to Poverty in Paris
re: Poverty in Paris
The whole thread (34 posts)
- Poverty in Paris
- re: Poverty in Paris
- So they're not suppose to be poor anymore?
- Where in the story gave you the idea that these were "simple uneducated primitives"?
- You raise some valid issues but..
- ***A portion of this thread has been relocated to Flame***
- Apparently you don't understand the meaning of "destitute".
- they're coming to get you personally - all the way from Africa