I've had two Au Pairs from Mexico (yes, legal!!) the past 2 years. Absolutely wonderful, fantastic gels. Due to bizarre circumstances, I ended up with a third who hails from France. Since I have become familiar with many Au pairs through this program (more people have them than you'd think), I'd settled into the stereotype that the European ones are just not as warm and "connected" as Southern Hemisphere gels. They are fine "nannys" but aren't too interested in becoming part of the family.

I have been vindicated so far, as this gel has a rayther underdeveloped work ethic, coupled with a quite overdeveloped sense of entitlement. She reminds me of Garrison Keillor's story about plain-old Johnny Tollefson, who fantasaized about the fictional "Flambeau" family in one of his novels. The son in the novels shares cocktails with his parents and addresses them by their given names.

I have a Flambeau living with me. And she has a tongue piercing. I don't even wanna know.... Pretty sure she hates Sarkozy.

Can't wait to draw again from the wonderful pool of sensible, hard-working, self-effacing, warm and friendly gels from Mexico.