Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

DATING

What French women are looking for in a lover – according to their tweets

For many people a sexy, moody and sophisticated Frenchwoman is the ultimate fantasy - but what qualities will you need to woo and win one these fabulous creatures?

Published: 17 July 2019 14:34 CEST
What French women are looking for in a lover - according to their tweets
Looking for a date with a French woman? Here's how. Photo: AFP

Whole books have been written on this subject, but a trending Twitter hashtag might provide some insight into just what French women are looking for in a date.

The hashtag #JeVeuxBienSortirAvecToiSi (I want to go out with you if) encourages French women (and some men, although the majority of these tweeters appear to be women) to list exactly what they are looking for in a date.

READ ALSO

And the idea immediately caught fire, trending on Twitter in France and racking up thousands of tweets, ranging from the deadly serious to the deeply silly.

Some of our English acquaintances who have dated French women say they can be highly demanding, and certainly some were not shy about listing in detail what they expect in a date.

One Twitter user with the username Babygirl demands that her dates are sweet, respectful, funny, intelligent, ambitious, non judgmental with an open spirit who appreciates her family and accepts her tastes. But in good news for readers of The Local – she is also looking for someone who speaks English.

While user Kat, who may have been disappointed in love before, replied that she wanted a man who was handsome, rich, muscular, European, generous, attentive, clean, kind, good at DIY, faithful, mature . . . before concluding “in short, you do not exist”.

 

Anais is looking for someone who lives in the Ile de France region and is funny, gentle, supportive and handsome with a gorgeous smile while Celine from Colmar in the Alsace region is looking for someone intelligent, respectful and faithful who also likes 'good music, in the style of Tame Impala'.

 

Some were very specific, such as the woman who is looking for a musician or other artist in the South Finistere or Nantes region, while one person simply wants someone who says chocolatine rather than pain au chocolat.

Paying homage to France's well known revolutionary spirit, one user calling themselves République du Homard is looking for a lover to 'scale the barricades' with.

 

Peddling another great French cliché, student Malo from Lille wants a person to “look at me with as much love as you look at raclette in July”.

While one user, in a cheeky nod to France's best known modern love story, simply tweeted a picture of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron with the text “I want to go out with you if you get 20/20 in your test”.

 

READ ALSO Sex with the French – ten things you need to know

 

 

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

PROPERTY

How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

Storm Ciaran’s property-wrecking passage through France - with another storm forecast for the weekend - may have many people wondering how comprehensive their insurance cover is. 

Published: 3 November 2023 15:45 CET
How to ensure your French property is insured for storm damage

In the wake of Storm Ciaran, thousands of property owners in France are preparing insurance claims – with initial estimates of the bill for damage between €370 million and €480 million.

Home insurance is compulsory in France, whether you own the property you live in or you rent – and it must include some level of storm damage cover. 

Check also to see if your insurance provides cover in case of a declaration of a catastrophe naturelle.

The garantie tempête (storm guarantee) covers damage caused by violent winds. What constitutes a ‘violent wind’ varies from contract to contract, but there appears to be a widespread consensus of agreement on wind speeds over 100km/h.

In most insurance contracts, this covers damage caused by the storm and within the following 48 hours – so you’re covered if, for example, a tree weakened by the storm comes down within that period and damages your property.

Be aware that, while the storm guarantee automatically covers the main property, it generally only covers any secondary buildings and light constructions – such as a veranda, shed, solar panels, swimming pool or fence – if they are specifically mentioned in the contract. 

The same is true of any cars damaged by debris. A basic insurance contract might not include storm damage, so it is always worth checking.

Damage must be reported to your insurer as quickly as possible. The deadline for making declarations is usually five days after any damage is noticed. This is especially important for second home owners, who may not be at the property when the damage occurs. 

In some cases – such as in the aftermath of Storm Ciaran – insurers may extend the reporting period. But under normal circumstances, it’s five days after the damage has been discovered.

What happens next

To make a claim, the first thing to do is contact your insurer by phone or email. Your insurer will take you through the next steps, but usually you have to send in a declaration – which should include an estimate of any losses and for any repairs, with evidence where possible, such as photographs and any receipts for purchases. 

Your insurer may also request proof of wind intensity, which can be provided for example by a nearby weather station.

The insurance company may appoint an expert to come and assess the damage, so make sure to keep damaged property safe until they arrive, as well as all invoices for any urgent repair work. 

What if you’re a tenant?

If you rent your property, you must report any damage inside the accommodation to your insurer and also notify your landlord so that they can file their own claim. 

In the case of a co-propriete, you must declare damage inside the accommodation to your insurer, while the trustee sends his own declaration to the collective insurance (which sometimes covers the private areas) .

How long does it take for claims to be settled?

Payment of the compensation provided for by the “storm guarantee” depends your home insurance contract. After the insurer has estimated the amount of damage, compensation is generally paid between 10 and 30 days following receipt of the insured’s agreement.

What if we got flooded?

In the case of flooding, you may have to wait for a natural disaster order to be issued. 

Catastrophe naturelle

The ‘state of natural disaster’ is a special procedure that was set up in 1982 so victims of exceptional natural events, such as storms, heavy rain, mudslides and flooding, as well as drought, can be adequately compensated for damage to property.

The government evaluates each area and deems whether it qualifies for the status of catastrophe naturelle (natural disaster). 

Essentially once a zone is declared a natural disaster, victims can claim from a pot of funds created by all insurers. If the zone is not declared a disaster, insurance companies are under no obligation to pay out. 

Under a “state of natural disaster” residents are covered for all those goods and property that are directly damaged by the phenomenon, in this case storms.

It applies to residential or commercial buildings, furniture, vehicles and work equipment that are already covered by insurance policies.

Homes must be already covered by a multi-risk insurance policy for the status of natural disaster to count.

SHOW COMMENTS