for Emmanuel Macron, “crossing the street” to find work, “it’s even more true” today

“There isn’t a place in France today where people don’t tell you: ‘I’m looking for people to work with.'” Emmanuel Macron said Thursday, July 14, during an hour-long interview with France 2 and TF1. “It happened to me sometimes in this garden [celui de l’Elysée] to say that you had to cross the street, to talk about the restaurants opposite”continued the Head of State. “It’s even more true” today, he insisted.

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Emmanuel Macron referred to an exchange that took place on September 15, 2018, at the Elysee Palace, on the occasion of Heritage Days. The President of the Republic had discussed with a young man of 25, who was struggling to find work in his branch, horticulture. “There are lots of jobs, you have to go there! Hotels, cafes, restaurants, I cross the street and I’ll find you some”had launched the head of state.

“What he said is not normal. I have it a bit in the throat”, reacted the young man a few days after this discussion, widely shared and commented on. In 2019, France Bleu heard from him. He had worked as “seasonal in Brittany, in a semi-gastronomic restaurant in Saint-Cast-le-Guildo”. He said he had found his way: “Actually, that’s what I wanted to do from the beginning, but I couldn’t follow the training because of my bad school grades, and I had to do horticulture… But catering is really well, the atmosphere and everything, I like everything.”