"Vivons caché, vivons heureux" except on your front sidewalk

A little background info to get you started:

1. It's been snowing a lot lately around Paris.

2. Most private properties in France are completely gated. The saying is "Vivons caché, vivons heureux;" basically meaning, "the more your live your life discreetly, the happier you will be."

So, the other day, I was getting into my car, and I ran into my neighbor, who was salting down the sidewalk in front of her house. Mind you, the sidewalk is closed off from her gated yard and house. However, in France, your are legally liable for ANYTHING that happens on the sidewalk in front or your property. If someone slips and breaks their hip, it's your fault.

So, my neighbor quietly shunned with her pointer finger (the ultimate weapon of disapproval), and told me I BETTER START SALTING AWAY...I haven't gotten around to that yet.

I mean, just pay attention when you walk on a snowy sidewalk on a small neighborhood street for crying out loud!!