Fun Facts - Cultural Differences

Saturday afternoon, we visited mon ancien prof de clarinette (ancien = former), Evan, who was getting ready to head back to the states after a summer spent in his studio in the 11e. As always, our conversation was wide-ranging and illuminating. Here are several interesting tidbits we picked up:

• Only about half of the people in France pay income taxes. (I couldn't verify this online, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's true.) Most state revenue comes from sales (there's a flat 21% sales tax, called the value-added-tax or TVA). Since income tax accounts for such a small slice of the government's revenue, France's tax structure ends up being fairly regressive. So much for socialism!
• In New York, an amniocentesis (to check if the baby is healthy) costs around $5,000. In France, it costs around $300.
• In France, pharmacists are state employees. That's why everything is behind-the-counter, and that's why you tell them what's wrong, and they tell you what to get.
• In pharmacies, the more rare/expensive the prescription medication, the cheaper it is for the consumer. And elective medications - things you don't really need - are très, très cher.
• The essay-writing style in French universities is vastly different from that in American universities. In France, you pick a big, unanswerable question, then maneuver within and around the topic in a quasi-philosophic manner. In the States, you're supposed to pick an arguable thesis then support it with cold, hard facts. After three years in the French education system, Evan (who's pursuing a PhD at NYU) had a difficult time adjusting back to the US system.

Hopefully you do not find this terribly boring. I find it all fascinating!