French people...

...Are incredibly passive-aggressive.

And gossipy.

But mostly just weirdly, annoyingly, frustratingly passive-aggressive.

My example:

I live in the highschool. Well, not IN the highschool, but attached to it, in a building meant for teachers and employees who commute during the week. Ok, no problem, it's a little weird, but it's free, comfy, and sunny so I'm happy.

The thing is, the kitchen is a "shared" kitchen. I say "shared" because it's supposed to be for the 4-5 people in the surrounding bedrooms, but in reality, I'm the only person on the floor, and thus the only person using said kitchen. I do keep it clean, but if I need to use the radiator to dry my socks, or if I leave a few dishes in the sink for the next day I don't think anything of it. I mean, I'm LIVING here!

Apparently Madame ANDRADE, the femme de menage doesn't agree with this philosophy. A few weeks ago she approached me and told me I couldn't leave dishes in the sink (...ok...) and now this morning, for the second time, I woke up hearing her grumbling (just loudly enough) about me right outside my door.

Lady, it's creepy that you're up here in my kitchen looking around.

It's creepier that I can hear you counting the empty wine bottles by the sink ("Deux. MAIS NON! TROIS!")

And it's the creepiest that you don't SAY anything to me, but instead leave subtle reminders around that I need to be cleaner. Like a dustpan and broom, casually laid out. Weird.

And to top things off, apparently she enjoys telling the teachers that L'Americaine is making messes. Because the teachers in turn tell other teachers, making me, and my 3 dirty dishes and 5 pairs of socks the talk of Jonzac.

What the fuck, Frenchies??? Mind your own business!!!

It should be noted that this morning's "mess" was in fact two casserole dishes left overnight to soak and 3 bottles of wine, consumed by the 10 guests I had over for THANKSGIVING last night.

So, France, my apologies if my little American fete is making your (already dirty...?) country a little dirtier.

And I only say dirty because they definitely don't cover their mouths when sneezing/coughing and there's never soap in public bathrooms. Legit!