People always talk about the ‘quality of life’ here in Paris, and how it is substantially higher than in the States as if it was some sort of quantifiable substance in the air. When I decided to move to France, I heard this kind of observation time and again; things will be ‘better,’ you’ll eat cheese and drink wine, etc. But the same phrase was always followed by a warning, or modifier; you gotta pay for it! It’s true. Taxes are sky high, every restaurant bill has a built-in tip…it’s clear that one pays extra. But never did I think it would come to this.