Soyez poli

In the UK, from a very young age we are learnt to mind our P's and Q's, hold the door open for people when they are approaching, and to queue for the bus. If we skip a queue, we see the errors of our ways and allow the correct person to go first.
In France, sometimes manners aren't too high on the priority list. Much higher on the priority list is getting a seat on said bus.

It's a bizare thing you'll just have to witness, everyone is pleasant to each other, waiting at the bus stop.  You see the bus pull round the corner, and it becomes every man for himself. I always get to a bus stop early, I'm probably one of the first few there. In the UK, that means I'll be one of the first few on the bus at that stop. Here, the bus arrives, then all of a sudden everybody heads to where the door will be. Today I saw children actively go onto the road, just to get in front of the man who currently was first.  Me, I stood my ground. Some guy was trying to push in front, I was having none of it.

So there you have it, just one story from the week. The bus station battle ground.

Also this week:

You better watch out, you better not cry. I'm telling ya why...

• Tuesday: I turned up at school, had to speak to students about a topic (that I totally can't remember a thing about already) and had to mark them on various areas. Usually this is done in numbers, and I circle what bracket I think they fall under.  This time, it was :( :| and :).  This actually made it quite a bit easier. 
• Wednesday: Disneyland! A place I go to a fair amount, but it's always awesome seeing people from uni, we did the tower of terror, phantom manor and the labryinth. Also a little bit of Christmas shopping and saw the Cavalcade de Noel.  Can't wait to go again already.
• Friday: I took a class totally by myself and lived to tell the tale. Then went to the Christmas market it Meaux. Saw a stall selling British stuff. Turned out they were British, had a lovely little chat. Got a nice big Dairy Milk bar for €2, and a pack of McCoys Salt and Vinegar crisps for 35c. Lovely. 
• Saturday: Christmas shopping began. 

 In about a weeks time, I'll be sat at home, already reflecting on Part 1 of the year abroad. I'll write about that more next weekend for sure. But my opinions so far are very positive. I'll enjoy the rest, I've been looking forward to returning to the UK for a couple of weeks now. But I know that come the 6th January, I'll be ready to start Part 2.

That's it for this exciting installment, next week I think I have already decided to talk a little about how Christmas is celebrated in France. And trust me, their Christmas dinner is strange.