lundi 23 août 2010

2 months in London

So how life is busy in London. Even if you're off there's so much to do, so much to see and not so much time indeed. Finally I found a job in London closed to the hostel I live. I'm a waitress finally in a British pub. Basically I should say "I was a waitress" but it was a so rich experience that I can't admit that it's over. So the name of the pub is The Fountains Abbey, on Pread Street. I worked with people from Australia, new Zeland, South Africa and from England. How fun is it to work in a British pub when there's only one English waiter! Whatever, there are a lot of foreigners in London so One is not so bad ^^

During the last year our English teacher introduced us the stereotypes about French people. There was written that we are rude. I told me that it was bullshit. After one month serving French customers I must admit that it's not so wrong. I would say that 75% of French customers spend all their time complaining. They are always criticism England and they say that everything is better in France. Sometimes I'd like to say "Why are you here if it's so rubbish? Go back in your own country" but I can't. Respect the customer even if he doesn't respect the country he visits. Concerning the pub, I think that the problem is cultural. Basicly, the pub is an area for the working class, it's not really a restaurant. I think there are more pubs in England per person than bars in France per person...

Something funny about customers uses, English ladies use to drink pints of beer... I couldn't imagine my grandma drinking 2 or 3 pints of beer! By the way, they call "lager" the blond beer.

Concerning supermarkets, I don't think that English people really take care of Earth. Most of vegetables people may buy are conditioned. So it creates a lot of rubbishes. For berries, I understand but for tomatoes, cucumber, leeks [...] and bananas I don't. There is something very English too (or maybe just different from France) "buy one get one free" or "3 for £xx" or "buy one the second half price". Sometimes it's quite interesting. But I asked to myself: does it explain why most of the time prices are quite high?

Whatever London is... LONDON!!! How interesting is it when you like to meet people. It's an amazing melting pot, a mosaic of cultur! I think that if someone want to live in England to meet true English people, I wouldn't advise London. But if you wanna have a trip around the world and you don't have a lot of money I would advise you London! ^^

An other cultural discrapency, our vision of parks... How surprised I was when I went in Hyde park for the first time! It's so wild! It's very different from our straight parks with flower. I haven't visited every park in London but even a little park like Holland park is quite wild. There are trees everywhere and of course squirrels. That's a true piece of nature in the city. Concerning Holland park I must admit that I love the "nonwild" part called the Kyoto garden, so that's a picture of the lake.

I'm sure I will go back to London. I think I could talk about my experience of London but the best is to make your own!

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mardi 27 juillet 2010

Practise your English

How hard is it to improve your English when you live in a hostel with 95% of French people!!! But I wont stay a long time here. Basicly I will rent a room above the pub and live with Australia, South Africa and New Zeland people! At the moment I watch TV... Maybe too much! Whatever, I learnt a lot of "new words" for example: "fella", "dunno", "still" (water) and some expressions like "you crack". I bought a book called "The Bloody Chamber" but I haven't started readding it yet. I don't really improve my English at work cause I always repeat the same things:
Hi!
Do you want a glass?
With ice and lime?
Something else?
With your fish and chips would you like some peas? Mushy peas?
Do you want an extra of bacon? of burger? of cheese? of oignon rings?
How do you prefer your meat?
Do you want an extra pudding?
Where are you sit?
OK it's £XX
Your change
Thank you!
Next, Hi!
The ladies are downstair and the gentles are upstair. (loo)

samedi 10 juillet 2010

A few weeks in London

So after 3 week-ends walking in Southampton to apply for a job and one more week, finally I decided that I couldn't stay longer in Southampton cause it's definitely hopeless. So let's try in London!

So first, I went to the Centre Charles Peguy and paid £60 to have an access to their advert and to ameliorate my resume. Then I went to the Dolphin Inn. Their is a hostel part. I met my roommates. We were 6 in the room. It's quite a lot, espacially in a little room! There's a nice living-room downstair and a kitchen. I was really surprized cause there's a lot of French people in this hostel! Finally they told me that they came with the local mission and there is a kind of arrangement with this hostel. It's not really good to improve my English...

Concerning my application for a job... Every advert the french Centre gave me were obsolete and I paid for that! You may imagine how angry I am. So I decided to find a job myself. I spend a few days walking in London with my CVs and I distributed a lot of it! But in fact it's not that easy to find a job in London and you need a little bit of luck... That's what happened to me! I met Amelie in the hostel, a very nice girl from Quebec! One day she was with Luc, her friend, and I told him that I was looking for a job and he told me that he is the duty manager of the pub closed to the hostel. So he suggested me to go to the pub the following day with my CV. He explained me that for the moment they were not looking for someone. Then one week later they called me to have a training and finally... I've got the job!!! So I'm the new waitress of The Fountains Abbey!

mercredi 30 juin 2010

48 hours in London...

48 hours it's too short to have time to visit London. So let's do it since the begining!

Departure from Southampton at 3 pm... I was at the station at 2 pm... how borring is it to wait! So I decided to go to the shop closed to the train station. I bought a sudoku book - expert level of course - and a bottle of fresh water. Maybe you won't believe me but on Monday it was really hot! I was well dressed - I think - according to the weather. Then I get into the train and did sudoku greeds during 1 hour then I slept... God save me, Waterloo station is the last stop! So at 16:30 pm I was in London. I didn't book a room so I decided to go as soon as possible in a hostel in which some rooms were available on the Internet one day before.

So I took a taxi and I had time to see the landscape. I must admit that my taxi driver drove like a crazy man!!! Finally I arrived safe at the hostel. I booked 2 nights for £24 in an clean and friendly room. It's a share room with 3 twin beds. I met Alyssa and Bonnie, 2 lovely Australian ladies! It was so good to chat with girls about girls' staff! So we took time to meet each other. It was very friendly. Then it was time to have diner... Could someone imagine that I have eaten a spicy Indian curry? I did it!!! Then I cried a long time but it was a good experience!

Wake up Julie!!!

On Tuesday I get to the Centre Charles Peguy, but they couldn't register me because of my soon departure so I must come back next Monday to have an other appointment to evaluate my knowledge of English! So I get back to the hostel to let my staffs and I decided to walk in London. I wanted to go in Hyde Park but finally I get in an other one... and I don't know its name. But the best part of this day was in the evening! I thought I would have a drink with the Australians but in fact there looked so tired that I didn't ask them if they would like to go to the pub. So I get outside, set on the stairs smocking a cigarette. Then I heard 2 men closed to me speaking French. So we chatted, one of them left to sleep. A few minutes later, Olivier and I were chating when a man stopped us to ask us if we are French so we began chating with him, Alex an American man. It was about midnight when we decided to have a drink. But the pub closed soon and the barman asked us "nicely" to go out... So we did! Then we continued chatting and Olivier left to sleep. So I staid with Alex and we walked in a little part of London. Then he told me if I can rollerblade... No I can't but I tried! Julie rollerblading in London at 3 in the morning with a stranger... I didn't really try in fact, he tracked me! ^^ I must admit that it was really funny! If you read it, thx Alex for this funny night, it's the funniest moment of my trip until now. By the way, it's true there are foxes in London city!!!

So you may imagine that it was really hard to wake up at 10 when you get to the bed at 5... Nevermind, I will have time to sleep when I will be dead, not now! So I get to the Café du Coin to have a breakfast. The manager of the caffee is Algerian and he has a perfect French!!! He told me how he did to go in London. In fact he was just in holiday and after one week he decided to stay in! What an amazing story!!! Concerning my breakfast, I took a fresh orange juice and a croissant on the terrace ^^

Finally I was very soon at Waterloo station... 2 hours!!! grrrr...

vendredi 25 juin 2010

The last day

Today is THE last day. So I made a recap of the different missions I did. I send it by email to M. B. He told me last week that if I don't find a job, I should contact him. That what I did yesterday and I'm still waiting an answer. I know he's very busy but I can't be patient. I hestitate to phone him... Maybe I must stay zen and wait for Monday to call him. Concerning my 5-week internship in GPS Ltd, I met very nice people so I am happy of it. I made interesting things. But the only problem is that I have not found communication situations in English. So maybe next internship I will go back in England. Whatever it's a good professional experience!

I think I have never eaten so much chips and bananas in my life. Every day I had the same lunch: a little packet of chips and a banana, sometimes with a blackcurrant juice or a cola, sometimes with a piece of flapjack.

Concerning my application... I have no news from my research of job! I still apply everywhere. Tomorrow I will go in Southampton AGAIN to apply AGAIN for a job. I bought a ticket to go to London on Monday 28th and the return is Wednesday 30th. So I will rent a room in a hostel - during week-ends no-one is available. The price is not too expensive: £15 per night and £10 for the round-trip. Then I will go to the Centre Charles Peguy to find a job and an accomodation... but sincerely I would like to stay in Southampton!!! But if I don't find a job in Southampton and I do in London, I will have to move.

I'm already thinking about the return. I can't buy a flyticket because of my heavy package! So whatever happens I will have to go in London to take the train!

mardi 22 juin 2010

Once upon a Summertime...

Yesterday was THE summer day!!! But today is my mother's birthday so... HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!!!!!!!!! I hope my gift really suits you. Lots of Love!
xxx

So concerning the English summer, there are 7 or 8 days that there is no rain, no clouds... I can't believe it! Summer exists in England. Indeed it's really good cause it's not too hot, it's just warm, it's pretty perfect! Sometimes it's a little bit cold but I don't care... even if I am the only person wearing a pull over and a scarf during the summer.

Last week Aurore was in holiday. At the beginning it was really great cause I had many things to do, then there was nothing to the following week... There were 4 or 5 calls, 3 deliveries and 5 mails to reply a day. In fact it was a long week. So I asked Régis to have a day off on Thursday in order to apply for a job. He agreed then he told me that M. B would be at the office Thursday morning. I said that I prefer to be absent on Thursday because on Friday I will prepare every things for Aurore's return. So he reminded me that it should be good that I come to see M. B concerning my mission. That's what I did! ...and it was a very VERY good idea!!! So I made a recap of my mission and the results with M.B. Then he told me that Régis said to him that I was looking for a job. I said "yes" and he said "If you don't find a job contact me, I will check if Aurore needs some help"... And I do know that Aurore needs help!!! So I'm pretty sure that I will stay in Southampton all the summer. But if nothing is signed, it's not sure.

So on Thursday I walked a long LONG LOOOOOOOOOONG time in Southampton. The weather was perfect. I distributed about 20 cv in hotels and restaurants, fill in application forms, etc. I think that next Saturday I will apply for a job... AGAIN! I had a break in Disney Store shop and I bought Pan-Pan from Bambi... Isn't it nice? Don't make fun of me even if I am a 22-year old girl with a cuddy toy!

This week Aurore is back. I'm so happy to see her! I have more things to do and I feel more usefull.

samedi 19 juin 2010

3 situations de communication...

Situation 1: Collaborer avec le manager

J'appelle le manager qui se trouve en France pour avoir plus de détails quant à ma misssion. Il répond, je le salue, il me demande si je suis bien arrivée, comment a été le vol, si je n'ai pas eu de mal à trouver l'entreprise, si j'habite loin de la ligne de bus. Je lui réponds que tout va bien, que j'ai été très bien accueillie, que Régis m'a fait faire une visite de l'entreprise, que la ligne de bus reliant Southampton à l'entreprise se trouve juste à côté de l'appartement où je loge, que c'était la première fois que je prenais l'avion. Il semble surpris et me demande si ça a été. Je lui réponds que j'ai trouvé ça un peu "scotchant" au décollage mais qu'après ça a été fantastique. Je change de sujet et lui rappelle qu'il m'a donnée une mission lorsque nous avons signé la convention de stage. Je lui rappelle donc ce que nous avions convenu: la société A. va très prochainement acquérir une machine qui recyclera les déchets du bois qu'ils utilisent dans l'usine pour les conditionner en briquettes de bois. Celles-ci seront revendues pour fournir de la bio énergie. Le but de la mission est donc de trouver des personnes à qui vendre ces briquettes et plus généralement des renseignements sur la commercialistaion de ce produit. Il me répond que c'est tout à fait cela. Je lui demande s'il a des préférences concernant les personnes à qui revendre les briquettes. Il me dit que pour des raisons d'organisation, il préfèrerait trouver un revendeur qui pourrait prendre le produit. Je lui dis que je vais faire en sorte de trouver ce qu'il attend. Je lui récapitule les composantes de ma mission et ses attentes. Je lui demande s'il a quelque chose à rajouter. Il me dit que non, cela devrait convenir. Je lui dis que dès que j'ai du nouveau je l'appelle ou lui envoie un mail. Il me dit que ça lui va. "Au revoir" puis je raccroche.


Situation 2: Contacte d'un client potentiel

Suite a la mission j'ai contacté un client qui semblait interessé. Après l'avoir prévenu par email de mon appel et d'une heure convenue ensemble, je l'appelle. Je me présente et lui rappelle le but de mon appel. Je lui demande s'il est toujours intéressé par ma proposition. Il me répond que oui mais qu'il a besoin de plus d'informations. (nd: Informations que j'ai préalablement cherchées avant mon coup de téléphone car il me les aavait demandées au prélable par email) Je lui dis que j'ai les informations dont il a besoin. Je commence donc par lui présenter l'entreprise, son business, sa localisation. Je lui explique que l'entreprise a récemment acheté une machine qui fabrique des briquettes en bois recyclé mais que la machine n'est pas encore en fonction. Il me demande quand elle sera en service. Je lui réponds que la machine n'a pas encoré été livrée et qu'elle sera installée fin juin, début juillet. Il me demande quelle est la taille des briquettes et leur poids. Je lui donne la fourchette de taille qui dépendra du réglage de la machine. Il trouve que la taille maximale est trop grande. Je lui dis que je tiens compte de sa remarque et en ferait part à mon manager. Puis il me demande le diamêtre des briquettes. Je ne comprends pas le mot "diamêtre" en anglais, je lui demande donc de bien vouloir répéter. Par déduction, je devine qu'il s'agit du diamêtre et lui donne les dimensions. Il me demande quel est le taux d'humidité (nd: j'ai préalablement cherché le vocabulaire des caractéristiques du produit) Je lui annonce un taux de 15%. Je lui rappelle que notre capacité de production est d'environ 17 à 22 tones par mois. Il me demande si je peux lui faire parvenir un "sample". Je ne comprends pas de quoi il parle, le pris de m'excuser pour mon manque de certains mots de vocabulaire, ce qui fait rire ce Monsieur. Il répète sa phrase en utilisant le mot "example" donc je comprends et lui explique que tant que la machine n'est pas là il m'est impossible de lui faire parvenir un échantillon. Ce monsieur me demande quand est-ce que je pourrais lui faire parvenir un sample, je lui dis que dès que la machine sera installée, il ne manquera pas d'en recevoir un. Je lui annonce donc dans le courant de juillet. Il me demande finalement quel sera le prix à la tone. Je lui annonce aux alentours de 250€ en sachant que c'est légèrement au-dessus du prix voulu par l'entreprise comme me l'a recommandé M. B, le company secretary. Ce monsieur répond en riant que c'est cher. Je lui réponds sur le même ton que je ne suis que stagiaire et que malheureusement pour lui je ne peux pas négocier de prix. Puis il me demande si l'entreprise s'occupe des livraisons. Je lui réponds que oui mais seulement en camion plein (full load). Il me dit qu'il suppose que le prix de la livraison n'est pas compris dans le prix de vente. Ce que je confirme. Il me demande soudainement si l'entreprise pour laquelle je travaille fait partie du Groupe A. Je suis surprise et réponds que oui. Puis je lui demande s'il a déjà fait affaire avec ce groupe. Il me répond que non mais qu'il en a entendu parlé. Puis il enchaine sur l'échantillon, il me dit que ça peut l'intéresser mais qu'il faudra revoir le prix et qu'il attend un échantillon. Je lui dis que je ne le contacterai pas personnellement car mon stage sera bientôt fini mais que je fais passer toutes ces informations au responsable qui le contactera. Il me dit très bien, me souhaite une bonne journée, je fais de même puis je raccroche.


Situation 3: Faire le point avec le manager

Suite a l'appel passe au client, je décide de téléphoner à M. B pour lui faire un compte-rendu du client potentiel. Il me demande si ça a été, si je n'ai pas trop eu de mal à comprendre ce que ce Monsieur me disait, je lui réponds que ça a été mieux que je ne l'aurais pensé et que le client a été très compréhensif. Puis il me demande en détails tout ce que je lui ai dit. Notamment concernant le prix de vente. Il semble satisfait et peu surpris de la réaction du client potentiel quant à sa réflexion sur le prix honéreux proposé par la compagnie. Il me demande de faire parvenir un mail à ce Monsieur pour lui faire un récapitulatif de l'échange. Je lui dis que je le fais de suite. Il me précise de ne pas faire apparaitre de prix sur le mail et de lui faire parvenir en copie. Il me remercie, me souhaite une bonne journée, de même, puis je raccroche.