Village People (2)

When one looks at the bitterness and resentment stirred up by the roadworks now nearing completion in our road, it is tempting to think that much unpleasantness could have been avoided if only the village authorities had deigned to consult the populace more. Is it not a given that communication and consultation are essential in our modern world? Surely, for example, much of the strife characterising the recent mass demonstrations against the French government's decision to raise the retirement age by could have been averted if only Sarkozy and his cohorts had been prepared to listen to the unions more? 


I wonder if this is true. In my opinion, those in positions of authority who attempt to establish a dialogue with the populace based on mutual trust and respect are in mortal danger of coming a cropper, precisely because they have misunderstood or forgotten how human nature (French style) works. 
Perhaps the most basic urge known to a French person is the need to bear a grudge. Governments, management or municipal authorities that attempt to eradicate the source of the grudge or grievance do so at their risk and peril. Indeed, it is the last thing that they should seek to do. Failure to remember this elementary truth can be extremely dangerous and, In extreme cases (as when the well-intentioned people in Ruth Rendell's A Judgement in Stone tried to help the illiterate maid) it can even result in death!