I'm on welfare, what!?
So I've mentioned a little thing called 'CAF' in the past, it's a little way to get some of your rent paid for by the government. What hit me this time while I was filling out some of my paperwork was the differences between American welfare and the French social welfare systems. In fact welfare isn't even the right word. Welfare is what happens in the US, it's looked at as being for people in DIRE need and it isn't seen in the best of light, it's great if you can figure out some good programs but France is very different. It's looked on as a sign of being savvy if you can figure out how (and the patience and diligence it takes to jump through bureaucratic hoops) to get reimbursed by the government, because in basis that's what it is. Taxes in France are much higher than the United States, somewhere in the 40% income tax range and France loves to add on other taxes as well. In your taxes you automatically have CAF, work accidents, care for...