Hergest Ridge

A client just provided me with our website translation – I’ll learn the language sooner than I’ll figure out how it applies. The people I work with have zero imagination of the process beyond their part of the project. The reason I can’t work in the same office with them is that if we did, right now I’d be heading over to slap them hard – not writing this post.

Couple of days ago, I’ve sent a newsletter to my web design business subscribers. Below is a resulting exchange.

Client: Good luck I am sure the socialists in france will appreciate the extra revenue from their oppresive tax regime

Me: I find your reply interesting, yet not sure which of the many possible angles to approach it from, nor the source of the “extra revenue” which might enter the pockets of the “socialists in France.” Perhaps I can get a better understanding if you point me to which part of my Email you’re specifically replying to – a direct explanation is fine too. :)

Client: I assume you will be a taxpayer to an arrogant [French] government that still forgets it lost the battle of waterloo, relied on the United States for its freedon from the Nazis not to mention it was the country that most cooperated with them. But in todays world, you come to a country [Canada] that is by far, a country with a better financial situation, ample clean water, a country that is renowned for its assistance to other countries (incuding france) yet you make snide comments about it. Basically I am saying good riddance to someone who has no understanding of what Canada offers. Despite having cellular service that is more expensive in large part due to the countries size Vs population. The US carriers are far more profitable per subscriber as is Virgin Mobile. Canada is not perfect but overall. France is not a country to be proud to be in. I am a proud Canadian…I know what the country has done for my family and many others. If high cell phone bills chased you away…good for you

Me: One of the things that makes Canada so great is the freedom to voice personal opinions. My knocks are against the gouging of consumers in Canada by cellular providers, and not Canada itself. Economies far smaller than Canada’s are host to a thriving cellular network sector.

The statement that I do not understand what Canada offers is a complete miss on your part – your clearly stated and mistaken understanding that I’ll be a taxpayer in France perhaps offering an insight to your deeper misunderstanding of my entire sentiment.

I’ve flown the world over with the maple leaf on my backpack – I, and those I met on the way know where my home is. Your bigoted remarks against the French are likely the most un-Canadian part of the entire exchange – and I mean that in the most non-judgemental way.

I loathe bigotry.

Play it loud.

Live in colour.

The Chansons Françaises official videos tend to be very creative in comparison to any other language I’ve seen. Here is another quick sample of what I’ve found thus far.

I don’t have much to say, except that these songs alone make it worth learning French, just so I can sing along when no one is watching.