C’est comme ça means « this is how it is », and it is a very common expression in France. Teachers say it to their students when they ask a question that’s too complicated, politicians use it when they don’t have anything to say, and it is the administration’s favourite catchphrase.
My favourite « c’est comme ça » experience ? That was when I went to the Versailles préfecture to get an international driving license. The website said they were open from 2 to 4.30pm. I went at 3pm and the lady at the counter ignored me. After I said four “bonjours”, she finally told me the prefecture was closed. I replied that the outside signs and the website said that they should be open until 4.30pm. All I got was a very sharp « oui mais c’est comme ça. » That’s how it is.
Taken from Michel Le Goff (The Local)
