"Keep your so-called workers," U.S. boss tells France

[zulater]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/20/us-france-workers-idUSBRE91J0OF20130220

The CEO of a U.S. tire maker has delivered a crushing summary of how some outsiders view France's work ethic in a letter saying he would have to be stupid to take over a factory whose staff only put in three hours work a day.

Titan International's Maurice "Morry" Taylor, who goes by "The Grizz" for his bear-like no-nonsense style, told the left-wing French industry minister in a letter published by Paris media that he had no interest in buying a doomed plant.

"The French workforce gets paid high wages but works only three hours. They get one hour for breaks and lunch, talk for three and work for three," Taylor wrote on February 8 in the letter in English addressed to the minister, Arnaud Montebourg.

"I told this to the French union workers to their faces. They told me that's the French way!" Taylor added in the letter, which was posted by business daily Les Echos on its website on Wednesday and which the ministry confirmed was genuine.

"How stupid do you think we are?" he asked at one point.

"Titan is going to buy a Chinese tire company or an Indian one, pay less than one Euro per hour wage and ship all the tires France needs," he said. "You can keep the so-called workers."

[NJarhead]

hahahaha.

I've worked for two French companies these last 10 years. It's true they take their coffeee breaks, go out for lunch and have wine and take the entire month of August off. But, at least the ones I know, work their ass off.

Remember, it's not the French, it's the Parisians. Even the rest of France despises them.

[BnG_Hevn]

I have co-workers who are enamored by Europe and how they do things to the point where they want the US modeled after them.

Trains, socialism etc.

I visited France for two weeks in '93 and yes, it is MUCH more relaxed over there. They were not 'allowed' to work on Sundays etc. The mentality of Europeans in general is to enjoy life and not the "competitive fire" like in the US: their lives don't revolve around the mighty Euro like lives here in the US revolve around the Dollar.

With that said, there is no reason to lambaste them. If you don't like how they work, then simply pass on investing in them. They are their own people, if they don't give you what you need then so be it.

I absolutely HATE socialism etc but if I were to move to France, I would be so much more relaxed and stress free (assuming I had an at all decent job) than I am here in the US.

But, everyone makes choices. This reminds me of a line from Highlander: The Series where one of Duncan's mentors told him "We fight to stay alive but don't forget to live".

You work to make a living but don't forget to live. I wish I could act on that type of mentality. Instead, if I could make X dollars working a 35 work week, I'd make X + Y by working a 40 hour work week.

[NJarhead]

I have co-workers who are enamored by Europe and how they do things to the point where they want the US modeled after them.

Trains, socialism etc.

I visited France for two weeks in '93 and yes, it is MUCH more relaxed over there. They were not 'allowed' to work on Sundays etc. The mentality of Europeans in general is to enjoy life and not the "competitive fire" like in the US: their lives don't revolve around the mighty Euro like lives here in the US revolve around the Dollar.

With that said, there is no reason to lambaste them. If you don't like how they work, then simply pass on investing in them. They are their own people, if they don't give you what you need then so be it.

I absolutely HATE socialism etc but if I were to move to France, I would be so much more relaxed and stress free (assuming I had an at all decent job) than I am here in the US.

But, everyone makes choices. This reminds me of a line from Highlander: The Series where one of Duncan's mentors told him "We fight to stay alive but don't forget to live".

You work to make a living but don't forget to live. I wish I could act on that type of mentality. Instead, if I could make X dollars working a 35 work week, I'd make X + Y by working a 40 hour work week.

Yep, and I've always envied them for it.

[The WH]

Try living amongst Europeans that have this mind set.

Fuck me....getting something done here moves as fast as Molasses in Sweden in January.

In Sweden it goes like this: Meeting about idea, ......nothing......, meeting about the first meeting about why nothing got done, meeting to discuss new way to get something done, meeting to discuss the ways they will do the new way, .....wait a week....., meeting to discuss when stuff should start.

Can't tell you how many times I just want to SCREAM : DO SOMETHING FOR FUCK SAKE!!

When you take someone who grew up where life revolves around the dollar, and stick them among some people who want to enjoy their life instead of worrying about money...it's like oil and vinegar.

though I can't say that they don't ever accomplish anything..... it's the weirdest phenomenon I've ever seen. Companies seem to succeed here despite themselves.

[NJarhead]

Try living amongst Europeans that have this mind set.

Fuck me....getting something done here moves as fast as Molasses in Sweden in January.

In Sweden it goes like this: Meeting about idea, ......nothing......, meeting about the first meeting about why nothing got done, meeting to discuss new way to get something done, meeting to discuss the ways they will do the new way, .....wait a week....., meeting to discuss when stuff should start.

Can't tell you how many times I just want to SCREAM : DO SOMETHING FOR FUCK SAKE!!

When you take someone who grew up where life revolves around the dollar, and stick them among some people who want to enjoy their life instead of worrying about money...it's like oil and vinegar.

though I can't say that they don't ever accomplish anything..... it's the weirdest phenomenon I've ever seen. Companies seem to succeed here despite themselves.

Trust me, you don't want to be a part of the "RIGHT F**KING NOW" society. It's stressful.

[The WH]

It's not so much "Right f*cking now" it's "in a realistic period of time"

[NJarhead]

It's not so much "Right f*cking now" it's "in a realistic period of time"

Maybe in your world. Not so much in mine.