SETTLING IN - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 110

bulbs are of three types: the French standard circular-
bottomed bulb with two prongs that is turned and locked
into place, a screw type ( ampoule à vis ), and the older but
still-used bayonet with two pins ( ampoule à baïonnette ). The
new energy-efficient bulbs are increasingly coming into use,
as older styles will ultimately be phased out.
EDF/GDF
Contact EDF/GDF (Electricité de France/Gaz de France) to
inquire as to the procedure for opening your electric and
gas account (tel: [phone]; website: http://www.edf.
fr). First check the website under 'Foreign Residents', then
go to the EDF/GDF office in your arrondissement with a copy
of your lease. Also bring your chequebook and RIB ( relevé
d'identité bancaire ), which is the official identification of your
bank account. (For information on the RIB , see page 138.)
EDF will have the meter read so that you pay only for usage
after you move in.
The factures (bills) for electricity and gas are sent every
two months. They are based on the previous year's usage;
meters are read only a couple of times a year. Thus, if your
current usage is less than before, an adjustment will be made
on a future bill. You can pay your bill by cheque if you wish,
but the most common method of paying utility bills is to
have the amount deducted directly from your bank account
( prélèvement bancaire ), having provided EDF/GDF with a
copy of your RIB . Do this at the time you open your account.
You receive your bills well in advance of the deduction
date, giving you time to dispute the amount if needed.
France Télécom
Although it's no longer required to have France Télécom
as your telephone provider, it is still the major provider in
France. Along with newer providers, it now offers high-
speed Internet and television programming among its
options (English-speaking tel: [phone]; customer
service tel: 1014; tech support tel: 1013). To meet the
growing competition, prices are coming down and services
are going up: inquire about all services and costs before