What’s so good about France?

Posted by: Steven Tuesday, 16 April 2013 1:38 PM[UAE] - UAE

In the article, which is very factual and being British, but having lived and worked in France and now call my home Italy after the Gulf - many a true word on the economic system of the FISH countries. cannot speak for Holland but ahve also lived and worked in Spain and that really is a 'basket case'.
Again a good article and it's a pity the politicians don't read where they go wrong!
One last item, you did mention to leave your wallet at home in Paris or it will get nicked' - and who might these thieves be, may I ask? Is is possibly the same race who robbed a friend of mine in Rabat City two weeks ago, as he took his wallet out to pay a taxi driver 'tut' 'tut' 'tut' - cannot be racist can one!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: tony Sunday, 14 April 2013 3:30 PM[UAE] - Germany

What a great article. So many facts in there. Wow, absolutely great job Arabian Business. You are articles are much better than the articles that were published in our school paper!

Posted by: james t Monday, 15 April 2013 9:45 AM[UAE] - UAE

@ tony

:)
brilliant.

Posted by: Oli69 Sunday, 14 April 2013 11:37 AM[UAE] - UAE

Honestly, I fail to understand what is so good about France. Apart from the beauty of the country and in particular Paris, there is little else I would save (maybe just the camembert and the foie gras).. The people are known to be arrogant, fashion and food (and wine!) are second to many other countries, especially Italy.. The level of service in their hotels/tourist establishments is aweful. There is a widespread racism and social inequalities. Their economy is going down the pits, no wonder they are now part of the FISH (france, italy, spain, holland) european economies in need of help. Their welfare system is proving to be a failure. The effects of it are starting to be seen, as their ageing population is not being backed by a growing young workforce able to pay for their pensioners. Same thing in Italy. The young pick up the tab, and have little to look forward to for their own future.. The Old Continent is not old for any reason...

Posted by: Hisham Monday, 15 April 2013 9:44 AM[UAE] - UAE

@Oli69 regardless of the country's name, I think Anna is right on the other part. I have read the article, it contradicts all rating agencies (The Netherlands and Germany are the only triple A rated countries in the EU) and other known economic forecasts. The country has a budgetary deficit, but the Dutch have proved geniuses at fixing budgetary issues in previous crises. The article focuses a lot on mortgages, which are indeed higher than average and infrastructure, which is some of the best in the world. The underlying reason for mortgaging however is that they have a tax system that makes it more interesting to mortgage than own (mortgage interest deduction, lower property tax). Apparently the people at FT don't know this. Combined with the highest per household savings in the world and the social support structure, you will never see large numbers of defaults and foreclosures like in the US. They are definitely not in the same boat as the FIS or PIGS.

Posted by: Oli69 Sunday, 14 April 2013 5:42 PM[UAE] - UAE

To all that commented the FISH economies. I do not take the credit for this acronym, but much more experienced and wise economists: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/851277b2-76a2-11e2-ac91-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2QRVUivUG
Giving me a lecture on how nationals of the Netherlands are called is quite funny actually, considering I lived in every country mentioned in these posts. (ah, and I do miss the coffee shops in Vaal as well..) .

Posted by: MonkeyTennis Sunday, 14 April 2013 5:41 PM[UAE] - UAE

@Anna - like it or not but he's right - financial markets traders refer to FISH - France, Italy, Spain and Holland. The H is because your country is commonly, if incorrectly, referred to as Holland by English-speakers. If the correct name were used it would ruin an easy to remember acronym, as it would be if Spain was spelt the Spanish way and started with an E. The FISH grouping refers to countries where longer term underlying infrastructure and competitiveness issues are seen as key concerns not those curerntly in crisis.

Posted by: Ronald Sunday, 14 April 2013 11:36 AM[UAE] - UK

This survey is entirely subjective and deliberately skewed to please the rulers of the UAE, the bread and butter of this agency. There is nothing scientific about the methodology, and the sample audience is hardly representative. Most of the respondents have probably been to France as rich holiday makers or sponsored students, which means they have a complete bias. Try living in a Muslim neighbourhood in Paris, and see how the numbers change.

Posted by: Tarek Sunday, 14 April 2013 9:51 AM[UAE] - Qatar

Arab youth prefer France for purely post colonial reasons, I bet you that 95% of those who said they prefer France are from the Arabic Maghrib Countries or Lebanon. In those countries they have this absurd attachement to everything French !

Posted by: Hisham Sunday, 14 April 2013 8:46 PM[UAE] - UAE

As a Moroccan I can confirm this is true for those who have never lived there. Those who have grow to despise the French attitude towards Arabs and their constantly present sense of superiority. But this is a trend seen in many countries which have once been colonized, including Gulf countries which tend to see Brits as more knowledgable and British things as desirable. It must be some sort of a twist on the Stockholm syndrome. Hopefully we will see a day in which one of the points highlighted in the survey, Arab pride, will replace this misplaced sense of inferiority towards Westerners.