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What do French people in London think of the John Lewis boss’s criticism? What do French people in London think of the John Lewis boss’s criticism?
(35 minutes later)
The John Lewis boss Andy Street may have apologised for declaring France to be “sclerotic, hopeless and downbeat”, but many French people arriving in London on the Eurostar agree with his views. None, however, agreed with Street’s claim that the food and wine is better in London than Paris. The John Lewis boss Andy Street may have apologised for declaring France to be “sclerotic, hopeless and downbeat”, but many French people arriving in London on the Eurostar from Gare du Nord – “something [Street] can only describe as the squalor pit of Europe” – agree with his views. None of those arriving or waiting for trains, however, agreed with Street’s claim that the food and wine is better in London than Paris.
Greg Metoz, 19, a shop assistant at a vintage shop in CamdenGreg Metoz, 19, a shop assistant at a vintage shop in Camden
“For me, it’s true. All of it. This is why I left France. No one cares, they just complain all the time. That is all they do, complain, but they don’t fix it.“For me, it’s true. All of it. This is why I left France. No one cares, they just complain all the time. That is all they do, complain, but they don’t fix it.
“People in France are lazy, really lazy. They only work a 35-hour week and they complain about it. People in the UK work much harder.“People in France are lazy, really lazy. They only work a 35-hour week and they complain about it. People in the UK work much harder.
“We need to change the president and change the government. It is such a mess and everyone is pissed off.“We need to change the president and change the government. It is such a mess and everyone is pissed off.
“Everything he [Andy Street] says, apart from about the food and wine, is true. The food and the wine is the only reason I go back to France. I feel much better in London than in France, I feel at home here.”“Everything he [Andy Street] says, apart from about the food and wine, is true. The food and the wine is the only reason I go back to France. I feel much better in London than in France, I feel at home here.”
Yael Michel, 18, from Paris studying biology at Queen Mary’s UniversityYael Michel, 18, from Paris studying biology at Queen Mary’s University
“He is wrong to say that nothing works in France. The public transport in France is much better than it is in England. When I get the Central line it stops in the tunnel every two minutes, and it’s really expensive.“He is wrong to say that nothing works in France. The public transport in France is much better than it is in England. When I get the Central line it stops in the tunnel every two minutes, and it’s really expensive.
“I love France, but it does have its problems, and the education system is not that great which is why I came here to study.”“I love France, but it does have its problems, and the education system is not that great which is why I came here to study.”
Vincent and Sandrine Bouchenez, both 32, a gallery assistant and teacher in ParisVincent and Sandrine Bouchenez, both 32, a gallery assistant and teacher in Paris
“He is wrong to say that French people don’t work hard. We work really hard. It’s true that the economy is not in a great shape, and we do not favour businesses and companies as much as the English.“He is wrong to say that French people don’t work hard. We work really hard. It’s true that the economy is not in a great shape, and we do not favour businesses and companies as much as the English.
“France is not finished.”“France is not finished.”
Isabelle Nobiron, 52, a manager at life sciences research parkIsabelle Nobiron, 52, a manager at life sciences research park
“I have to agree, you can’t say that France is going that well at the moment. The feeling is that François Hollande doesn’t know what he’s doing.“I have to agree, you can’t say that France is going that well at the moment. The feeling is that François Hollande doesn’t know what he’s doing.
“France is a bit of a mess at the moment, but people do care, people want to find good solutions. People feel that we are struggling a bit.“France is a bit of a mess at the moment, but people do care, people want to find good solutions. People feel that we are struggling a bit.
“But Paris is better than London. The government cuts more here. In France we do more to protect social services and facilities.”“But Paris is better than London. The government cuts more here. In France we do more to protect social services and facilities.”
Louis Lemberger, 26, arriving in London to study a PhD in physics at Birmingham UniversityLouis Lemberger, 26, arriving in London to study a PhD in physics at Birmingham University
“How dare he? He can’t just say our country is crap, like I can’t say that England is crap. It is ignorant.“How dare he? He can’t just say our country is crap, like I can’t say that England is crap. It is ignorant.
“This is an educated man. He should know not to say things like that and generalise. It’s not true, but even if it was, he shouldn’t say it.”“This is an educated man. He should know not to say things like that and generalise. It’s not true, but even if it was, he shouldn’t say it.”