Mike Collins

I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany,
Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too
difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you
still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to
Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.

Thanks,
Mike

A.Spencer3

"Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions
(Germany,
> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too
> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
> their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you
> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to
> Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
>
>
You'll survive anywhere in the world without English.

But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more.

Surreyman

kurkku

"a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
viestiss�:[email protected]...
>
> "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions
> (Germany,
>> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language
>> too
>> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
>> their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could
>> you
>> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip
>> to
>> Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
>>
>>
> You'll survive anywhere in the world without English.
>
> But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more.
>
I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can
memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she studied/studies at
school. Not much for a vocabulary.

Lennart Petersen

"Mike Collins" <[email protected]> skrev i meddelandet
news:[email protected]...
>I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany,
>Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too
>difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
>their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you
>still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to
>Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
> Thanks,
> Mike
There's no problem. I've spend much time in France and Paris without
knowledge of French. But try to learn a few word of courtesy like
"bonjour" -good day "merci"-thank you
Also try to keep a somewhat humble attitude, don't speak to anyone directly
in English but try to ask "parlais anglais ?" or "do you speak English"
Mostly the answer is "yes a little" and they've good knowledge of English.
If not you can be sure they're trying the best to help.
A small phrase-book could be to use for menus in restaurants although many
restaurants in tourist areas have English menus.
Don't expect so much help from the average street man in the rush hour as
they're probably to reach home as fast as possible.
Paris is a busy city but you'll find rest of France being more relaxed.

A.Spencer3

"Markku Grönroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ti.fi...
>
> "a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
> viestissÀ:[email protected]...
> >
> > "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected]...
> >> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions
> > (Germany,
> >> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language
> >> too
> >> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
> >> their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could
> >> you
> >> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip
> >> to
> >> Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
> >>
> >>
> > You'll survive anywhere in the world without English.
> >
> > But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more.
> >
> I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can
> memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she studied/studies
at
> school. Not much for a vocabulary.
>

Sounds like total rubbish to me.

Surreyman

James Silverton

a.spencer3 wrote on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:14:01 GMT:


as> "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
as> news:[email protected]...
??>> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few
??>> occasions
as> (Germany,
??>> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the
??>> local language too difficult, but I have heard France is
??>> quite different. Can anyone share their stories of not
??>> speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could
??>> you still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants?
??>> We'll take a trip to Paris regardless, I am just trying to
??>> figure out how to prepare.
??>>
as> You'll survive anywhere in the world without English.

as> But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far
as> more.

I can understand not knowing anything about a foreign language
if you suddenly have to go to a new country but I'd certainly
agree with you about learning a little if possible. Anyway, I
always found that getting some acquaintance with a new language
and local customs is part of the fun of preparing for a trip.
There are many small books available and I can't understand not
reading at least one. All the Dutch, Danish and Swedish that I
know was learned that way and being able to translate some
public notices was always useful.

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

kurkku

"a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
viestiss�:[email protected]...
>
> "Markku Gr�nroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected] ti.fi...
>>
>> "a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
>> viestiss�:[email protected]...
>> >
>> > "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> > news:[email protected]...
>> >> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions
>> > (Germany,
>> >> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language
>> >> too
>> >> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone
>> >> share
>> >> their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could
>> >> you
>> >> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a
>> >> trip
>> >> to
>> >> Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
>> >>
>> >>
>> > You'll survive anywhere in the world without English.
>> >
>> > But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more.
>> >
>> I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can
>> memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she studied/studies
> at
>> school. Not much for a vocabulary.
>>
>
> Sounds like total rubbish to me.
>
But it is true.

Padraig Breathnach

"Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote:

>I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany,
>Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too
>difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
>their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you
>still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to
>Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
>
It's not a problem provided
(1) you do not presume people can speak English, but ask first, and
(2) you observe the social protocols (la politesse) including greeting
people like shop assistants and table servers.

I suggest you learn a few phrases -- things like "bonjour
madame/monsieur", "parlez-vous anglais?", "s'il vous plait", "merci",
"au revoir".

When struggling to communicate (and it will happen) do not even think
of getting annoyed or frustrated. It's part of your holiday -- c'est
la vie. A moderate amount of self-deprecation goes a long way in
preserving your equanimity and in winning people over.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
My travel writing: http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/

-Magda

On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:20:57 -0700, in rec.travel.europe, Padraig Breathnach
<[email protected]> arranged some electrons, so they looked like this:

... "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote:
...
... >I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany,
... >Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too
... >difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
... >their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you
... >still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to
... >Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
... >
... It's not a problem provided
... (1) you do not presume people can speak English, but ask first, and
... (2) you observe the social protocols (la politesse) including greeting
... people like shop assistants and table servers.
...
... I suggest you learn a few phrases -- things like "bonjour
... madame/monsieur", "parlez-vous anglais?", "s'il vous plait", "merci",
... "au revoir".

A little "excusez-moi" right before "parlez-vous anglais?" will be highly appreciated.

... When struggling to communicate (and it will happen) do not even think
... of getting annoyed or frustrated. It's part of your holiday -- c'est
... la vie. A moderate amount of self-deprecation goes a long way in
... preserving your equanimity and in winning people over.

The Reid

Following up to "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote:

> but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
>their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult?

they dont like it, but there you go. I think a lot speak more english
than they let on. Others dont respond to poor french. But one copes!
:-)
--
Mike
(remove clothing to email)

Mike Collins

Wow. Thank you. The quick response is most appreciated. I traveled to
Montreal a few years ago and learned some of the simple hellos, thank yous,
and goodbyes. I'll definitely get a phrasebook and do some refreshing.

"Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany,
>Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too
>difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
>their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you
>still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to
>Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
>
> Thanks,
> Mike

Frank Hucklenbroich

Am Tue, 7 Aug 2007 07:08:19 -0500 schrieb Mike Collins:

> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany,
> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too
> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
> their stories of not speaking French in Paris?

I did remember scraping my bits of school-France together to ask these two
black guys in Paris in french the way to the river Seine.

They didn't have a clue about what I was on about. English worked better
tehn ;-)

> Could you
> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants?

Depends on the restaurant - in some posh restaurants they sometimes only
speak french (read: they don't *want* to understand you).

So it may help to know at least the names for food in french (or take a
little dictionary).

But in shops or places that are a bit more touristy you should get by with
your english.

Regards,

Frank

Padraig Breathnach

Magda <[email protected]> wrote:

>On Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:20:57 -0700, in rec.travel.europe, Padraig Breathnach
><[email protected]> arranged some electrons, so they looked like this:
>
> ... "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote:
> ...
> ... >I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions (Germany,
> ... >Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local language too
> ... >difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone share
> ... >their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult? Could you
> ... >still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a trip to
> ... >Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
> ... >
> ... It's not a problem provided
> ... (1) you do not presume people can speak English, but ask first, and
> ... (2) you observe the social protocols (la politesse) including greeting
> ... people like shop assistants and table servers.
> ...
> ... I suggest you learn a few phrases -- things like "bonjour
> ... madame/monsieur", "parlez-vous anglais?", "s'il vous plait", "merci",
> ... "au revoir".
>
>A little "excusez-moi" right before "parlez-vous anglais?" will be highly appreciated.
>
Combining both my points: ask, and observe the social protocols.

--
PB
The return address has been MUNGED
My travel writing: http://www.iol.ie/~draoi/

William Black

"Markku Grönroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ti.fi...

> I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can
> memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she studied/studies
> at school. Not much for a vocabulary.

Sounds like the usual BBC "let's trash the working class and their ability
to use education in a meaningful way" bollocks to me.

You have to be aware that these things aren't done to no purpose and the
Public School, Oxbridge educated, elitist shits who run the BBC have a
vested interest in making anyone not educated as they were feel inferior.

My personal experience is that kids who studied a foreign language at school
can't remember any of it at all, until you drop them in a French market
town, at which point they suddenly realise that 'it works, even though it
was something I did at school' and in less than a day are chattering happily
with the locals...

--
William Black


I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Barbeques on fire by the chalets past the castle headland
I watched the gift shops glitter in the darkness off the Newborough gate
All these moments will be lost in time, like icecream on the beach
Time for tea.

A.Spencer3

"Markku Grönroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] i.fi...
>
> "a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
> viestissÀ:[email protected]...
> >
> > "Markku Grönroos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > news:[email protected] ti.fi...
> >>
> >> "a.spencer3" <[email protected]> kirjoitti
> >> viestissÀ:[email protected]...
> >> >
> >> > "Mike Collins" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> >> > news:[email protected]...
> >> >> I have traveled to non-English-speaking Europe on a few occasions
> >> > (Germany,
> >> >> Spain, the Netherlands) and never found not knowing the local
language
> >> >> too
> >> >> difficult, but I have heard France is quite different. Can anyone
> >> >> share
> >> >> their stories of not speaking French in Paris? Was it difficult?
Could
> >> >> you
> >> >> still manage to order what you wanted in restaurants? We'll take a
> >> >> trip
> >> >> to
> >> >> Paris regardless, I am just trying to figure out how to prepare.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> > You'll survive anywhere in the world without English.
> >> >
> >> > But a few days learning basics helps you to enjoy far, far more.
> >> >
> >> I recent study ordered by BBC knows to tell that in average a Brit can
> >> memorize seven (7) words of that foreign language he/she
studied/studies
> > at
> >> school. Not much for a vocabulary.
> >>
> >
> > Sounds like total rubbish to me.
> >
> But it is true.
>

No, it's rubbish.
Even those who didn't study French, for instance, at school could probably
trot out 7 words!
Any who did GCSE would remember far more.
I haven't learned any French for some 50 years and didn't get beyond 'O'
Level, but can still conduct basic conversations.
Apart from the ployglots (Dutch, Swiss etc.) the English are no worse or
better at languages than any other nation.
I'm certainly no genius, but I've always mugged up rather more than 7 words
for each new linguistic area I've visited.

Surreyman