Thursday, May 31, 2007

Why, people, why?

Yesterday, I came across a nice small pile of dog shit in the stairwell of our building. So gross. So unsanitary. Mind you, we live in a fairly nice apartment building. This is France where picking up after your dog is unheard of. Why can't the owners simply and easily grab a bag and pick up the shit??? Je ne comprends pas. I've gotten used to the poop-filled sidewalks after living here for a year and a half. I've come to terms with it. But, I'm not happy about finding poop in our building. And today, it's still there. And why am I so incredibly bothered by this little pile of crap? Because I stepped in it as I was running down the stairs yesterday...

8 comments:

The Late Bloomer said...

OMG, Emily, that's HORRIBLE! That is absolutely the worst I've heard, ever, re: la merde here in France... I've tried to avoid it all over the city in Paris too, but I have never seen it INSIDE a building, at least not yet. That is just inexcusable -- I think you should try to file a complaint somehow, through your syndicat or something!

Anonymous said...

Ewwww. I don't understand this! Where do they think the pile is going to go? Is it going to walk to the garbage on its own? If you ever figure out the French people's thought process on this, let me know. Meanwhile, I hope I don't miss the sights this summer because I'm watching my feet.

Sara said...

ewwwwww, that is horrible!!! i thought it was bad when we had it on the front step outside, but INSIDE???

Amity said...

Well, first off, I don't know why, but I do know that the same problem plagues the Netherlands as well -- though I've never encountered a dog poo in my apartment building. I've heard of another expat here who claims to carry a plastic bag with her at all times to offer to dog owners when she catches their dogs "taking care of business" on the sidewalk or in someone else's garden. Apparently she pretends to be a dog owner, so she just happens to have an extra bag on hand. I hope this isn't a suburban myth.

Bonne chance!

Jill said...

Sounds like the poop there rivals the poop here in Israel. Dogs are more highly regarded here than people... they roam the streets with collars and no leashes and they crap any / everywhere they please. In fact, they often times will roam right into your yard or driveway and drop a dookie right there. Welcome to shitsville, I mean Israel.

Unknown said...

You know what - that has happened to us as well! Dog shit in the stairwell! I just cannot understand that either.

Anonymous said...

dog shit in your stairwell is definitely crossing the line of politeness. who has the offending canine? maybe you could scoop it into a bag and leave it on their doorstep on fire.

Amy said...

I don't know if I am more proud that I remember what Je ne comprends pas means or that I always pick up after my pooch. Sorry about your stairwell incident.