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Avram Kaplan's avatar

Je me demande comment on dit “Hook ‘em” en français- because you all nailed it.

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Dennelle Taylor Nizoux's avatar

Hey guys, I can give you correct information about your visas and DL exchanges.

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Cecile Marie's avatar

Contact Dennelle Taylor Nizouz for everything you need. She has helped thousands over the years and it is her business. Skip the stress and let her help. Do not trust anyone posting in a FB group. BTW, because I have lived in other countries and many different states in the US, France is NOT as bad as it seems. It is the language barrier and unfamiliarity with the systems. I could write up a list of all the paperwork and bureaucratic requirements that made my life miserable every time I moved from one state to another that the French think is insane and I agree. The requirement to obtain a new driver's license in each state and new plates for my car while being abused in the DMV is not something Americans think about while complaining about the once a year visa application.

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Justin Stern's avatar

Thank you

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François Pointeau's avatar

I feel your pain.

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Trudy's avatar

I loved this! I think we are maybe six months to a year ahead of you in the French Administrative Hazing Process. After a while, you just incorporate the paperwork moving turntable into your life. My tactic is to provide every imaginable document for every interaction. Accordion file it. My divorce papers from 26 years ago? Here ya go. Electric bills, every page from my passport, birth certificates of my children? Got ‘em. I always write a kindly, perhaps a bit obsequious, letter translated into French describing my situation and what I am seeking. I have a pretty good success rate. I love your photo! It’s all worth it. Look at those smiles. Savor your French life ♥️

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Roberto and Carolyn's avatar

Great advice. Thank you!

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Andrea's avatar

Thanks for the good laugh! I love the comparison of going to the prefecture as getting a root canal, doing to the DMV, and the consulate.

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Jeneva Patterson's avatar

J'adore ces histoires! "-) Meric

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Tricey Morelli's avatar

Same here as we wait to hear back about our SS and Carte Vitale. We sent all the info via certified return receipt on Sept 5 and have heard nothing. Sent our info for exchanging our licenses about 6 weeks ago and still have heard nothing. How long do we wait? Ugh! And part of me prefers not to inquire further, hoping it will all magically happen.

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Kimberly SE's avatar

This made me LOL! It is soooo true. We had to go to the tax office 3 years in a row our first few years. Ugh! And, we drove 1.5 hours each way to said tax office as we didn't know there was a closer, satelite office (more than 1hr closer.) Ha! Keep in mind, your tax office is not near your prefecture nor near the "garbage tax" office. So fun! Then it took 2 years to get my online împot account set up (we do not have french SS numbers so...that was an entertaining hurdle to overcome.) For me, the silver lining with the crazy French bureaucracy is that it has improved not only my fortitude, but my French. But wow, it's a lot of time and paperwork!

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Roberto and Carolyn's avatar

Thank you, Kimberly, for commenting and for your kind words. The whole tax office situation reminds me of us going to Ikea: we knew it was going to be stressful to do as a couple (going to Ikea), so we set ground rules in advance about mission creep, tone of voice, and timeline.

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