speaking french

• I find that if you really do make an effort it goes a long way. people think you are trying. Even if my language does mean I end up getting hot chocolate when I wanted chocolate ice cream.
  
  Just smile, don't be intimidated and try it out. The more interesting thing I had last year (when in the west of france) was talking to a man at a marche and telling him I live in London (which I also said was pres d'ici - I was in la rochelle) I only figured out why he was looking so confused with me a few hours later in the day! But I tried, learned something, and we got on really well for ten minutes or so.
  
  If you're in paris it's more likely to be a city thing. People don't tend to be overly pleasant in cities, unlike the country.

  Anonymous 02 Jul 2005, 11:21 - Report

The French - English Issue