Working in August

According to some statistic heard on the news only about 30% of the French population goes on vacation in August. Casual conversation and French relatives had me thinking the number was much higher. Apparently Paris is empty in the summer, but could all 30% of the country's vacationers be living in Paris, I think not.
There is also a common misconception that all of the government workers are on holiday during this month. Not so, I am a government worker and here are perhaps about 50% of the typically number of cars in the parking lot for my building, just 0% of the typically number of bosses;-) In addition to research labs there are also hard working French fontionaires that can be found in social security offices and prefectures around the country.
And why not -- because August is high season, I would prefer to take my trips when travel prices are lower. Although, I do understand that people like teachers don't have this luxury. The key people that are missing are the support for some of these workers. This would include cafeteria workers and janitorial staff at the University where I work. So this August, I will be making my own lunch everyday and taking my trash with me when I leave. Hopefully I won't leave too many lunches on the kitchen counter as I have been known to do from time to time.

I'll be taking my vacation this fall. Bonne Vacance.