Recently in Bureaucracy Category

In French, the word "bureaucratie" means both "bureaucracy" and "red tape" - the different meaning comes through by the length of your sigh after the word. Anyone deciding to come to France for any length of time will soon learn that like all stereotypes about any country's government procedures and employees, this one would also prove true.In August, Geoff and I had made our decision to come to France the following month. Of course, when we looked into it, we learned that if you wanted to stay in France for longer than three months, you need a visa. Sounded quick and easy enough really, but four trips to the French Consulate later, we had our doubts on both points.On our first visit to the French Consulate in Boston we picked up a sheet of paper that listed all the requirements for getting a visa, including four copies of an official statement of good conduct from our local police department, a letter of intent on why we wanted to go to France, our travel itineraries, multiple photos, and bank statements to prove we would not turn out to be a drain on the already strained French social system. And it all...