The Chateau Diaries #107 IJ. my legs are more beautiful, SJ ah yes but mine can open further

[billybudd]

I say shame on Fanny for not taking better care of these people. She is a cheap ass when it comes to others and only cares about her luxuries. I find these type of employers despicable. Once again, since she has never had to worry about money or keeping a job, she has no empathy for those that must. On the other hand, these people, Dan et. al., keep working for her under these conditions. I realize that there probably isn't much work for expats in the area so they take what they can. Fanny is all to aware of this and exploits the situation to her benefit. The downside is that most of the work is below par from what a professional would do and so the cycle of patch and decay continues.

Hmmmm. Somehow I'm reminded of what a US government economist in Egypt speculated about Egypt's semi-socialist wages. People were paid so very poorly bribes, baksheesh and corruption were the only ways they could make a living.
Interesting how bad faith reproduces itself and spreads.
Maybe Annalise's foray into paid work is the way out of the chateau for Dan. For students of video, which I'm not, it seems all the videos "about nothing" are actually artistic, sharp-eyed observation with good camera and editing techniques. Also a huge commercial TV trend, about nothing plots, like the Royle family sitting on their couch taterin'.

 

[KyBourbon]

So Dan finished the "pantry," or whatever weird hallway that space is. What an odd rabbit warren. No doubt Fanny will find the chandelier paaar-fect.

I’m a little confused…Dan calls it a “pantry” but it actually looks like a hallway to me. In the US, a “pantry” is usually a small closet or room with shelves where you store food, or maybe dishes. Is a “pantry” something different in the UK or France?

 

[Le Comte de Monte Cristo]

Hello tattle gang!
I have many many pages to catch up, but meanwhile, I want to leave you this gem cause it’s MOOD AF!!

View attachment 1000517

At least they didnt feel the need to sit in an icecold lake..

 

[Aquablue]

I'm loving the current "Spode Anonymous Support Group"! Spode made its foray into my kitchen via a pickle plate I saw on cadeau (they're quite handy and I use them for orange peels, nut shells, etc.) Until then I had only been exposed to MP's infatuation which I felt to be odd and matronly. I'm happy to say all of my Spode (except for the pickle plates and gravy boat) were purchased from thrift shops and discount/close-out stores.

I will admit that bought new Spode table settings for 8 for my mom/parents when I saw them being sold for a good price online. My mom has always loved the style but never owned ( I grew up with white corelle with navy design ). So now Mothers day and her Birthday, Christmas are excuses to pick up more pieces for her. I will admit that I bought the giant teacup and saucer and use it every day, its so much better than a mug.

Our everyday dishes are plain white corelle and for nicer we have a Japanese plum or cherry
blossom porcelain dishes that are pale blue/green-aqua, brown & white. I had started collecting bowls in UNI and then a friend secretly helped arrange wedding guests that wanted to buy. We also have bamboo shaped silverware that I adore, which isn't some expensive brand but is well made.

 

[Green Fairy]

gawd...sometimes a girl just wants to have a laff...be immature...enjoy a bit of smack...allowed to lighten up and not be so f’ing serious all the time...here and elsewhere

...especially since speaking for myself...I have more than enough shite and bs to deal with on the daily...Thankfully today is martini Wednesday...have a good one all...

...frankly...I like the funny tit the best...

You mean you don't want to join the 'Name which dinner service you own' discussion? *inserts some joke about plates and laying (tables)* Kick back and enjoy your martini

 

[Le Comte de Monte Cristo]

Just watched The Pethericks latest vlog “Roof Issues”…which, as the title so eloquently states, is Billy fixing the roof. That’s it. But, Teabag must have a hand in the editing…the soundtrack for the vlog sounds like an epic movie…dramatic… full orchestra…over the top. For god’s sake, he’s fixing a f***ing roof!!! Of course, Teabeg has to add the orchestral background…what a drama queen.

View attachment 1000535

he surely reads here..the music is better and he pointed out how good the condition of the roof is...yeah right..very glad our roof is in better condition...i would hate to go onto the roof after every small storm..we have quite a lot of storms here..we only have damage after a very bad storm luckily..have to say he is very capable with his cherrypicker..

 

[Geordieboy71]

I did see the interview with Nic's wife Marie, she is a bright and nice lady. It was weird to watch Stephanie around her though, at times she looked bored and wanted to hurry along, at other times she looked quite uncomfortable , but all the time she tried to smooth over this and smiled broadly. Nic is clearly important to Stephanie, she looked at him when she made sure everyone knew she was his best female friend (which obviously is not true, it is his wife I think!) it seems Nic is her rock, it would be interesting to know what he thinks is in it for him. He must care about her. Snorts is snorting very little in the background, one almost wants him to give a sign of life!

I watched some of her other "interviews" when nana was a patron. From my recollection those interviews were more of a chat and fanny asked supplementary questions and kept the conversation flowing. This interview was quick, factual and direct. I got the feeling that fanny may be intimidated by Marie.

 

[Maple fairy]

One thing that certainly was highlighted by her intro to the interview with Marie is how much healthier her mother and Percy looked. I know we have speculated ad nauseum about causes but the difference is striking. Does she starve everyone into submission. It would be very interesting to know the cause.

 

[Sparrowsfart]

Thank you @DamoiseauC

@13:57 BJJ, interrupts and interjects..."imposter syndrome".

I thought that was Nick interjecting. I don't know why she has snort do the filming for videos like this a tripod would be just as good.

 

[Clara Burnett]

Or misunderstanding the reasoning behind someone's post. I was not listing a "fact" which was why I quoted the whole post stating it was assumed based on current minimum wage. I was glad to find the post that was stuck somewhere in my memory. That is all. If you were not meaning to be condescending then I will just chalk it up to the difficulty sometimes getting a point across online. Let's be clear when someone has been here for awhile and shown that they aren't of the flying-monkey pursuasion, there's no reason for accusations about a memory. With SJ and her accounting nightmares it's even possible that she was warned to immediately delete that info online, no? For the moment I'll go sit in timeout but unless there really are only 15from the hate site, I'm guessing most of us have value to add to discussion.

Nobody attacked you. Nobody accused you. You've remembered something from a message that was clearly based on speculation and I placed a warning about it, because it is an important issue. Making a whole fuzz about it does still not does not outweigh that it was speculation in the first place.

I speculate that Stefanny tries to get away with a self-employment scheme with what I think are her de facto employees. Many have tried to evade their duties as an employer with pseudo independent contractors and many times French courts have said no. I'm waiting for an employment inspector to pay the shitoo a visit.

It can be difficult to be an independent contractor in France and not fall into employment.

How to Avoid Independent Contractor Risks in France

One of the most important things for global companies to understand about doing business in Franc

velocityglobal.com

1. Legal Framework Differentiating Employees from Independent Contractors - L&E Global

Legal Framework Differentiating Employees from Independent Contractors in France

knowledge.leglobal.org

Thank you. This is exactly why I think it is important that the right information gets to the right place... I'm waiting too...

 

[Vontrap9]

While the snorting Squirrel Cameltoe is enjoying his not so deserved holiday in South Africa, his home country The Netherlands is in turmoil. The Dutch version of "The Voice" (the original concept that started the worldwide talent shows) has been suspended pending an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, cover ups and gross abuse of power. I haven’t been following the revelations lately, but can sort of paint the picture without knowing it all.

I seriously think SJ’s situation is not much different from the accused Dutch orchestra leader (apart from the fact that he admitted guilt and resigned): she has been warned for sexually inappropriate behavior with employees/volunteers before (and was kicked out as a host in the workaway program for it) yet just kept going as if nothing had happened. She was worried, she claimed, about the age difference between them and how that would be publicly perceived, but stayed completely silent about the unequal distribution of power in her relationship to the Cameltoe of Cameltoes. I believe however there is no room for interpretation: legally everyone at her HMN must be able to work in complete safety. She has proven time and time again she has no regard what so ever for appropriate behavior. Her patrons know this, but apparently it doesn't scare them off. Yet.

While it didn’t scare me off it did send me running. I’m a year older than her and my son a year younger than Snorts. If I had received a call saying I fancy the chataline. I would have dragged him home and had a few choice words for her. Totally inappropriate and could yet have long term consequences on his life and career.

 

[Sparrowsfart]

Probably back then you didn't have a phone in your pocket that you could check the going rate on. Far better to give them to help others than to let them sit unused or worse, tossed in the trash.

I always think its better that someone that loves them gets them, and if it is something special that the person normally wouldn't be able to afford imagine the double joy you have given them.

 

[Green Fairy]

One thing that certainly was highlighted by her intro to the interview with Marie is how much healthier her mother and Percy looked. I know we have speculated ad nauseum about causes but the difference is striking. Does she starve everyone into submission. It would be very interesting to know the cause.

I thought they looked healthier too. Mini Apron even looked like she'd put on a little weight, and it suited her. Nice to see Gerry not wearing tartan, and lovely not to have snorting from behind the camera. I did think Fanny was waxing on a little too much about how lovely it was to be reunited with Mummy, while IJ just smiled. Quite telling.

 

[Ezzy]

So you do heiracy but not hierarchy?
This thread prided itself on being focussed and able to question what was being presented from Lalalande. We were able to evidence what we were able to discover, with a liberal sprinkling of wit and humour. If there was speculation, it was made very clear - often this led to someone uncovering something of interest . Unfortunately now, the threads are full of wild speculation under the guise of "I think I read it" and general chitchat for the most part. It's becoming more and more like the CD comments mush that we were all so desperate to escape.

Yes my mistake after a sleepless night after finding out some poor guy on this site I live on had killed himself by setting himself on fire, he was 82 and had lost his wife a year ago to the day he did this. So apologies for being tired and making mistakes. Sometimes other things in life put trivial things into perspective.

 

[Jikki2]

I thought that was Nick interjecting. I don't know why she has snort do the filming for videos like this a tripod would be just as good better.

There. I fixed it for you.

 

[Marty McFly 9]

Last time I asked my eyes and ears about this (and this was recent), the response was that SJ herself has said she is not paying any social charges, health care or pension for people working at the shittoo but leaves that to the employees themself to organize. The subject was brought up at the dinner table, pointing out admiration for her running a complicated business like that with so many employees. She replied by saying she likes to keep the admin to the bare minimum etc etc.

So wouldn't Philip, Nati and Amaury have to set themselves up as a business, like Selmar did and Dan must have? They would then work contracted and invoice SJ .... I'm a bookkeeper .... and I think we can pay someone one off jobs once in a while, but if someone works regularly for us they are either a full on employee that we pay taxes and other CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) fees for and on behalf of, OR I get an invoice from the person's company and they are paid that way. It would be a great exception and a maybe one time thing if we did otherwise, I don't even remember the last time we did something like that, so I'm pretty sure it's not kosher here in Canada.

 

[Sparrowsfart]

Just heard her say "Nic's MALE best friend. i wont allow her to say Nic's best friend, just his MALE best friend". There you have it: the way she looked whilst saying this, sums up exactly how she views their relationship. You are talking to his WIFE you moron!

Yes I thought that was rude of Fanny.

 

[Clara Burnett]

I’m a little confused…Dan calls it a “pantry” but it actually looks like a hallway to me. In the US, a “pantry” is usually a small closet or room with shelves where you store food, or maybe dishes. Is a “pantry” something different in the UK or France?

Nope, as I said before, what he's working on is just the corridor to the actual pantry. But because they are so messy, a lot of the time food is also stored in this corridor because there's no more space left in the actual pantry or because it is just easier to dump it there. Maybe that's why Dan still calls the corridor pantry...

 

[Le Comte de Monte Cristo]

the hallway to the pantry is done...but the state of the actual pantry...

I have the feeling Marie didnt want to tell too much about herself...i thought she might have said that the interaction between a career and being a mother is difficult...but since they put Antoine on boardingschool thats no issue i guess..so she didnt talk about it..

The fact that Marie thought at her first invite at the chateau..omg these grownups dress up and party..i have ended up in a madhouse...no wonder it took three years untill they finally became an item...she had three years to get used to that lunatic asylum..

 

[Clara Burnett]

So wouldn't Philip, Nati and Amaury have to set themselves up as a business, like Selmar did and Dan must have? They would then work contracted and invoice SJ .... I'm a bookkeeper .... and I think we can pay someone one off jobs once in a while, but if someone works regularly for us they are either a full on employee that we pay taxes and other CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) fees for and on behalf of, OR I get an invoice from the person's company and they are paid that way. It would be a great exception and a maybe one time thing if we did otherwise, I don't even remember the last time we did something like that, so I'm pretty sure it's not kosher here in Canada.

As far as I know the snorting Squirrel is till enlisted as self employed in The Netherlands. He might even get an unemployments cheque each month from that, but I'm not exactly sure about that. Don't know about the others.