Reply to: Good Times in the Euro Zone

[milanbenes]

that's a question of taste

the Belgium cuisine, although excellent food, can be a little snobby

bavarian and central european influenced cuisine is a lot more down to earth and honest

eating out is not cheap in belgium

however a casoulet in Luxembourg is also excellent preceded by fois gras

the other question, that's one for the accountants Franco, I'm only a noddy .Net coder

Milan.

[Francko]

Milan, do you have any tax reduction in Germany as a foreigner (did you have in Belgium or are they only in Holland?)

[Francko]

interestingly I find the cost of living, food and drink cheaper
here in Germany

Milan.

Could it be because the Belgium have a higher quality standard for food (thanks to the french influence)?

[milanbenes]

yes,

been here a few months now

on a par I think both Germany and Belgium are great places
to live

interestingly I find the cost of living, food and drink cheaper
here in Germany

Milan.

[jenever]

hello Jenever,

thank you for the supporting facts

how little they know eh

hopefully you are taking the Jenevers in moderation

Milan.

I tend to take them with beers, I tried moderation but its boring after a while.
Are you in Germany now? Better or worse than Belgium?

[milanbenes]

hello Jenever,

thank you for the supporting facts

how little they know eh

hopefully you are taking the Jenevers in moderation

Milan.

[jenever]

Becs, where did you get this from? Top exporter? Money pouring into Germany?

The German budget deficit has been more than 3% of their GNP for the past four years. This breaks the EU's own rules (demanded by the Germans themselves!) of fiscal competence.

Germany is now the worlds top exporter having topped the US sometime in the last year.

What is more they have a net current account surplus whereas the US has a massive deficit.

Germany might have a budget deficit, but at least it can fund it.

[AlfredJPruffock]

General strike paralyses Belgium

Apparently the unions are upset about changes to try and stop people retiring early on near full pay, e.g. at 55, the idea being to try and avoid Belgium going the way of France/Germany.

Unfortunately todays little episode has apparently cost the country somewhere around €250m.

Anyway great fun!, Milan you don't know what you're missing.

Paralysed ?

What rubbish ... I got to work today in Brussels , despite there being picket line I took a wee back road and voila ! , yes people have the right to strike but I also have the right to work.

One more day for the old invoice ... luverrrllyyy.


Give me a contract
Where I can be Free
Dont want no Union
Burying Me

Arts for Arts sake
Money for Gods sake

[Joe Bloggs]

Oh dear!

General strike paralyses Belgium

Apparently the unions are upset about changes to try and stop people retiring early on near full pay, e.g. at 55, the idea being to try and avoid Belgium going the way of France/Germany.

Unfortunately todays little episode has apparently cost the country somewhere around €250m.

Anyway great fun!, Milan you don't know what you're missing.

[wendigo100]

oh dear Wendigo,

I too was surprised, for once Beccy has her facts right !

Germany is the world's largest exporter

you learn something new every day eh !

Milan.

Milan, the USA are the world's largest exporter.

But it doesn't matter how much Germany exports, if they are leaking money at a faster rate than they are taking it in, there ain't no "money pouring into Germany" [sic], but pouring out!

I have learned something - you know little about economics!

[milanbenes]

oh dear Wendigo,

I too was surprised, for once Beccy has her facts right !

Germany is the world's largest exporter

you learn something new every day eh !

Milan.

[wendigo100]

However, as far as Germany is concerned, yes they do have high employment (like France) but they can afford it - top exporter worldwide! Better than the US, better than Japan. Even when the Deutschmark was strong, the exported loads. Think of all the money that is pouring into Germany - I reckon they could afford 20% unemployment if pushed.

Becs, where did you get this from? Top exporter? Money pouring into Germany?

The German budget deficit has been more than 3% of their GNP for the past four years. This breaks the EU's own rules (demanded by the Germans themselves!) of fiscal competence.

[Rebecca Loos]

Wendigo is right
A strong currency is not necessarily good - it is only good if you import more than you export, so it'd be good for Italy but not Germany for example.

However, as far as Germany is concerned, yes they do have high employment (like France) but they can afford it - top exporter worldwide! Better than the US, better than Japan. Even when the Deutschmark was strong, the exported loads. Think of all the money that is pouring into Germany - I reckon they could afford 20% unemployment if pushed. It's a bit like NZ really - as long as we have a market for our sheep, we could afford to have every non-farmer down the beach enjoying the surf.

[milanbenes]

"Europe is going downhill, but I'll concede the UK might soon be on their coat-tails",

you plonker the UK is in the driving seat.

you think the UK's part timer shelf stacker powered economy is stronger than those in the Euro zone ?

Milan.

[wendigo100]

It's gonna be funny when the pound and euro are on a par.

It would be even funnier when firms in the Eurozone try exporting then, won't it.

Exchange rates are not the final indicator of economic strength. Look instead at things like growth, debt, balance of payments and unemployment. Europe is going downhill, but I'll concede the UK might soon be on their coat-tails.

PS Imagine pooling your wealth with Turkey, the next stop on the EU bus!