Even in Paris, I found that if you tried some French, the Parisiennes would help you. My first encounter with it was in the Metro, going the wrong way!.My children attend a French Immersion school and have studied French since they were 5. I am often asked why.
Absolutely right, dotweasl. Although they can be curmudgeonly, I don’t think I’ve ever met a Parisian who wouldn’t listen if you made the effort to speak French.
I have amazing conversations with La Patronne of my favourite bistro in which she speaks English to practice her English and I speak French to practice my French LOL
On the other hand, I’ve met plenty of Americans who claimed not to be able to understand my Northern England accent, even though I’m a university-educated and an ex-English teacher,
Perhaps, like Antoine, they don’t get out enough …. (Grin)
A bit hoity toity, are we? I’m sure, like dotweasl, there are schools that begin teaching foreign language earlier, but I started both French and Spanish in middle school (about age 11). Then I went on with Spanish in highschool since it’s more valuable to me here in the US. That was a while ago though, 90s, they probably start earlier now. We’re not all uneducated rednecks.
We’ve visited France — Paris, Normandy, the south - over and over for at least the last 25 years -- and do not encounter the rude stereotype complained of here — except in Paris cab drivers. That’s all it is — a stereotype. Like New Yorkers are pushy, southerners are all rednecks, Californians are laid back. The French are more formal than Americans and expect good manners. We get good manners back and always have a wonderful time when we visit. Wake up, folks, it’s a great big wonderful world out there! Including France.
It isn’t just France. I live in Texas and I cannot get help at the meat counters in the Mexican groceries because I am blonde and fair-skinned. Regardless of the fact that I speak fluent Spanish having been educated in South America during high school. Everyone is a little protective of their culture/language to some degree, it would seem.
With television and countries the size of our States, they pretty much learn at an early age. A German speaking with an English accent is still strange sounding.
This is mostly true in Paris. When I went there with my girlfriends, who spoke decent French, most were nice, but of course they were all young men who were interested in other young women. ;-)My husband has done a lot of business with the French, and it’s mostly fine, but has dealt with a lot of unprofessional and unwarranted attitude from the French including their refusal to speak English to him, even when it was clear that he didn’t speak French and English was the language they had in common. Granted, he was there to fix their problems, so the problems didn’t get fixed until they finally started speaking English and not French!
Hey guys, don’t knock the early learning! 5 is a great time to start learning a foreign language. Our brains at that age are able to soak it up really well.
France isn’t like that anymore. In 1963 the French were so rude to me I didn’t return for over 30 years, but when I did return in the late 90s it was like a different country. Even in Paris people were helpful, even sales people in stores. I mentioned this to a friend from France, and he said it all changed at a particular time and date, which he cited but I’ve forgotten. I think the president told people to shape up and welcome tourists, and they did.
If you like Rick’s strip … today is FREE Tuesday! Go pick up a Kindle copy of “The Norm Ball Collection” Looks great on an iPad, Kindle of Mac/PC, etc. Tell all your friends! http://amzn.to/RATYTL
Had an opportunity to visit France as a guest of friends; I did the house work and cooked in exchange for the two week trip that included plenty of free time and a couple of days in Paris. First thing I did was take a crash course in French and learned enough to get by. Least I could do to be a polite guest in the country.
When did it become mandatory to learn a language in school? Personally, the only language I would want to learn would be one according to my heritage (5 nationalities). Neither French or Spanish are one of them.
You reminded me of the time I visited Wales back in the 90s. We checked into a B&B badly jet-lagged and went straight to bed. Next morning I chatted a bit with our hostess in Welsh at breakfast. When we went to check out, the bill was a third less than we’d been quoted the night before. Everywhere we went the same thing happened. My Welsh was clunky and dated, but they were tickled that an American would make the effort at all.
I find lots of Americans can’t speak American/English. As much as I admire foreign languages classes, we need to have a country that can speak their own.
hmph – we’ve only run into this attitude once in our 3 week Paris stay, the attendants in our closest bakery are pretty rude. Fortunately there are tons of bakeries around. This particular attitude is very much going away.
CyoteBlack almost 12 years ago
And that’s why I’ll never leave the US…anymore.
dotweasl almost 12 years ago
Even in Paris, I found that if you tried some French, the Parisiennes would help you. My first encounter with it was in the Metro, going the wrong way!.My children attend a French Immersion school and have studied French since they were 5. I am often asked why.
Kingoswald Premium Member almost 12 years ago
Absolutely right, dotweasl. Although they can be curmudgeonly, I don’t think I’ve ever met a Parisian who wouldn’t listen if you made the effort to speak French.
I have amazing conversations with La Patronne of my favourite bistro in which she speaks English to practice her English and I speak French to practice my French LOL
On the other hand, I’ve met plenty of Americans who claimed not to be able to understand my Northern England accent, even though I’m a university-educated and an ex-English teacher,
Perhaps, like Antoine, they don’t get out enough …. (Grin)
LadyChel almost 12 years ago
A bit hoity toity, are we? I’m sure, like dotweasl, there are schools that begin teaching foreign language earlier, but I started both French and Spanish in middle school (about age 11). Then I went on with Spanish in highschool since it’s more valuable to me here in the US. That was a while ago though, 90s, they probably start earlier now. We’re not all uneducated rednecks.
bmarchewka almost 12 years ago
those two spent about a year planning their boring trip and that’s all the French they can muster?
lisajwalton almost 12 years ago
And THAT, is why I hate the French.
charne almost 12 years ago
We’ve visited France — Paris, Normandy, the south - over and over for at least the last 25 years -- and do not encounter the rude stereotype complained of here — except in Paris cab drivers. That’s all it is — a stereotype. Like New Yorkers are pushy, southerners are all rednecks, Californians are laid back. The French are more formal than Americans and expect good manners. We get good manners back and always have a wonderful time when we visit. Wake up, folks, it’s a great big wonderful world out there! Including France.
clms95 almost 12 years ago
It isn’t just France. I live in Texas and I cannot get help at the meat counters in the Mexican groceries because I am blonde and fair-skinned. Regardless of the fact that I speak fluent Spanish having been educated in South America during high school. Everyone is a little protective of their culture/language to some degree, it would seem.
Yukoneric almost 12 years ago
With television and countries the size of our States, they pretty much learn at an early age. A German speaking with an English accent is still strange sounding.
Yukoneric almost 12 years ago
clms95, when I lived in NM there were places where once people found out I spoke Spanish I never heard English again, LOL.
lightenup Premium Member almost 12 years ago
This is mostly true in Paris. When I went there with my girlfriends, who spoke decent French, most were nice, but of course they were all young men who were interested in other young women. ;-)My husband has done a lot of business with the French, and it’s mostly fine, but has dealt with a lot of unprofessional and unwarranted attitude from the French including their refusal to speak English to him, even when it was clear that he didn’t speak French and English was the language they had in common. Granted, he was there to fix their problems, so the problems didn’t get fixed until they finally started speaking English and not French!
jen355 almost 12 years ago
Hey guys, don’t knock the early learning! 5 is a great time to start learning a foreign language. Our brains at that age are able to soak it up really well.
dbgustavson almost 12 years ago
France isn’t like that anymore. In 1963 the French were so rude to me I didn’t return for over 30 years, but when I did return in the late 90s it was like a different country. Even in Paris people were helpful, even sales people in stores. I mentioned this to a friend from France, and he said it all changed at a particular time and date, which he cited but I’ve forgotten. I think the president told people to shape up and welcome tourists, and they did.
jantze almost 12 years ago
If you like Rick’s strip … today is FREE Tuesday! Go pick up a Kindle copy of “The Norm Ball Collection” Looks great on an iPad, Kindle of Mac/PC, etc. Tell all your friends! http://amzn.to/RATYTL
marilynrknits almost 12 years ago
Had an opportunity to visit France as a guest of friends; I did the house work and cooked in exchange for the two week trip that included plenty of free time and a couple of days in Paris. First thing I did was take a crash course in French and learned enough to get by. Least I could do to be a polite guest in the country.
ObiJoan almost 12 years ago
Amazing: there are other languages besides English !!!
burleigh2 almost 12 years ago
Thank goodness for Google Translate… “I dunno” is what the guy said (verbatim from Translate.google.com). LOL!
cbrsarah almost 12 years ago
When did it become mandatory to learn a language in school? Personally, the only language I would want to learn would be one according to my heritage (5 nationalities). Neither French or Spanish are one of them.
LordOfTheExacto almost 12 years ago
You reminded me of the time I visited Wales back in the 90s. We checked into a B&B badly jet-lagged and went straight to bed. Next morning I chatted a bit with our hostess in Welsh at breakfast. When we went to check out, the bill was a third less than we’d been quoted the night before. Everywhere we went the same thing happened. My Welsh was clunky and dated, but they were tickled that an American would make the effort at all.
RubyRedRing54 almost 12 years ago
I find lots of Americans can’t speak American/English. As much as I admire foreign languages classes, we need to have a country that can speak their own.
hildigunnurr Premium Member almost 12 years ago
hmph – we’ve only run into this attitude once in our 3 week Paris stay, the attendants in our closest bakery are pretty rude. Fortunately there are tons of bakeries around. This particular attitude is very much going away.