It's a mild spring evening in Bordeaux and the Bar Saint-Aubin on the Place de la Victoire is crowded, although a rubbish bin is on fire less than 20 meters away. A couple – he crosses his legs, she talks – is sitting at one of the square bistro tables in stylish clothes, but doesn't seem to be bothered by the garbage fire. A glass of red wine stands next to a bulky e-cigarette between the two. Again and again popping explosions from melting plastic in the background. A video of this absurd scene has recently been circulating on the Internet and is a very accurate reflection of French strike culture.

Access to all STERN PLUS content and articles from the print magazine

ad-free

Already registered?