The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
Dec 15th 2002, 2:33 pm
#181
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
On Thu, 12 Dec 2002 23:00:23 +0000, Padraig Breathnach
wrote:
>I have observed that people who speak English without asking first are
>often badly received. In my view, rightly so. Bloody arrogant
>foreigners.
The locals know English, they're just prentending not to. Gotta yell
at them pretty loud sometimes.
---------------------------
A truly cool book:
The World Is Already Yours
Conscious living in the real world
www.alreadyyours.com (sample chapter, etc...)
wrote:
>I have observed that people who speak English without asking first are
>often badly received. In my view, rightly so. Bloody arrogant
>foreigners.
The locals know English, they're just prentending not to. Gotta yell
at them pretty loud sometimes.
---------------------------
A truly cool book:
The World Is Already Yours
Conscious living in the real world
www.alreadyyours.com (sample chapter, etc...)
Dec 15th 2002, 3:07 pm
#182
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
nkosi278 wrote:
>
> "Excusez-moi, s'il vous plait, de vous deranger, mais
> - je ne parle pas francais ...or
> - j'ai un petit problem...or
> and
> - wearing appropriate CLOTHES in Paris (suit/tie in my bistro, please)
> - not raising your voice(s) in a restaurant
> - NEVER, EVER wearing SNEAKERS, and......
> lastly
> - NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WEARING A BASEBALL CAP !!!!!!!!
>
Excuse me for disturbing you, but what does a baseball cap have to do
with courtesy? Anyway, I've seen them on quite a few French people,
albeit without the American sports logo. OK, maybe not on Parisians...
>
> "Excusez-moi, s'il vous plait, de vous deranger, mais
> - je ne parle pas francais ...or
> - j'ai un petit problem...or
> and
> - wearing appropriate CLOTHES in Paris (suit/tie in my bistro, please)
> - not raising your voice(s) in a restaurant
> - NEVER, EVER wearing SNEAKERS, and......
> lastly
> - NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WEARING A BASEBALL CAP !!!!!!!!
>
Excuse me for disturbing you, but what does a baseball cap have to do
with courtesy? Anyway, I've seen them on quite a few French people,
albeit without the American sports logo. OK, maybe not on Parisians...
Dec 15th 2002, 4:34 pm
#183
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
The French are just better at doing it.
It comes with practice
"wessie" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Jade" wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
> > Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of
> > my life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they
> > specifically hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly
> > hospitable toward the British and the Germans I ran into.
> >
> Wake up.
> If a Frenchman came to Idaho, walked into Burger King and spoke only
French
> do you think he would be treated with respect?
> No
> You are very naive, or extremely arrogant, if you think that wherever you
> go you will find English speakers.
> Perhaps if you took the trouble to learn just a few phrases of French then
> you would be treated with respect.
> I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
> French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing myself
by
> laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
> As for the mugging. Any city in the world is a dangerous place if you go
> out at night. Again, you show a level of naivity here. The authorities did
> not think that you were stupid because you were American. Just stupid
> period.
> --
> [email protected]
> BMW R1150GS
It comes with practice
"wessie" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "Jade" wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
> > Last summer I traveled for two days to Paris and had the worst time of
> > my life due to the rudeness of the people there. I believe they
> > specifically hated Americans, because I saw them being perfectly
> > hospitable toward the British and the Germans I ran into.
> >
> Wake up.
> If a Frenchman came to Idaho, walked into Burger King and spoke only
French
> do you think he would be treated with respect?
> No
> You are very naive, or extremely arrogant, if you think that wherever you
> go you will find English speakers.
> Perhaps if you took the trouble to learn just a few phrases of French then
> you would be treated with respect.
> I speak a little French and can get by with non English speakers. The
> French people that speak English usually stop me from embarrasing myself
by
> laughing a little and then continuing the conversation in English.
> As for the mugging. Any city in the world is a dangerous place if you go
> out at night. Again, you show a level of naivity here. The authorities did
> not think that you were stupid because you were American. Just stupid
> period.
> --
> [email protected]
> BMW R1150GS
Dec 15th 2002, 5:30 pm
#184
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: We speak!
"Icono Clast" schreef in bericht
news:[email protected]...
> "Sjoerd" wrote:
> > > In ICQ correspondence with others around the planet, I've been told "I
> > > can't talk about that" regarding numerous subjects in answer to
> > > questions that I've asked. Can you imagine a citizen of the USA saying
> > > something like that?!?
> >
> > O yes. I have had on-line chats with US citizens who had been to
Amsterdam,
> > they refused to answer my question if they had been to a coffeeshop.
> Perhaps they were at work, Sjoerd, using the boss's computer and in
> fear of a urine test.
> Perhaps they were at home and too stoned to know the answer.
LOL.
But the fact remains that even US citizens can sometimes not speak their
mind freely.
Sjoerd
news:[email protected]...
> "Sjoerd" wrote:
> > > In ICQ correspondence with others around the planet, I've been told "I
> > > can't talk about that" regarding numerous subjects in answer to
> > > questions that I've asked. Can you imagine a citizen of the USA saying
> > > something like that?!?
> >
> > O yes. I have had on-line chats with US citizens who had been to
Amsterdam,
> > they refused to answer my question if they had been to a coffeeshop.
> Perhaps they were at work, Sjoerd, using the boss's computer and in
> fear of a urine test.
> Perhaps they were at home and too stoned to know the answer.
LOL.
But the fact remains that even US citizens can sometimes not speak their
mind freely.
Sjoerd
Dec 15th 2002, 7:12 pm
#185
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
In article ,
"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" writes
>and since our teacher
>was French (Breton, actually) with a thick French accent, I suspect what
>we WERE taught bore little resemblance to a Spaniard's pronunciation, to
>begin with.
Do American schools not use tapes, TV, computers, etc., to teach
languages?
Assuming that, of course, they do, the pupils will have lots of access
to native accents.
After all, in the UK, the vast majority of language teachers are
English, not natives of the country whose language is being taught.
--
Marie Lewis
"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" writes
>and since our teacher
>was French (Breton, actually) with a thick French accent, I suspect what
>we WERE taught bore little resemblance to a Spaniard's pronunciation, to
>begin with.
Do American schools not use tapes, TV, computers, etc., to teach
languages?
Assuming that, of course, they do, the pupils will have lots of access
to native accents.
After all, in the UK, the vast majority of language teachers are
English, not natives of the country whose language is being taught.
--
Marie Lewis
Dec 15th 2002, 8:13 pm
#186
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
"Lawrence" wrote in message news:...
> It was easier to communicate speaking English to those French people who
> knew English but not Italian.
>
> > I never studied italian or spanish but i
> > understand 99 % of what they say.
I don't believe you. I speak Spanish quite well but doubt that I
understand more than about 80% of what's said to me.
I speak a rather odd ersatz Italian of which they seem to understand
half. My understanding of them seems to range from perfect to notabit.
__________________________________________________ __________
A San Franciscan in (where else?) San Francisco
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 IClast at SFbay Net
> It was easier to communicate speaking English to those French people who
> knew English but not Italian.
>
> > I never studied italian or spanish but i
> > understand 99 % of what they say.
I don't believe you. I speak Spanish quite well but doubt that I
understand more than about 80% of what's said to me.
I speak a rather odd ersatz Italian of which they seem to understand
half. My understanding of them seems to range from perfect to notabit.
__________________________________________________ __________
A San Franciscan in (where else?) San Francisco
http://geocities.com/dancefest/ http://geocities.com/iconoc/
ICQ: http://wwp.mirabilis.com/19098103 IClast at SFbay Net
Dec 15th 2002, 11:21 pm
#187
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: We speak!
Two main reasons IME
1) Complete paranoia. Reds under the bed et al.
2) Complete ignorance. In this case "can't" meaning doesn't have the knowledge.
Dave
>
> In ICQ correspondence with others around the planet, I've been told "I
> can't talk about that" regarding numerous subjects in answer to
> questions that I've asked. Can you imagine a citizen of the USA saying
> something like that?!?
> __________________________________________________ ___________
1) Complete paranoia. Reds under the bed et al.
2) Complete ignorance. In this case "can't" meaning doesn't have the knowledge.
Dave
>
> In ICQ correspondence with others around the planet, I've been told "I
> can't talk about that" regarding numerous subjects in answer to
> questions that I've asked. Can you imagine a citizen of the USA saying
> something like that?!?
> __________________________________________________ ___________
Dec 15th 2002, 11:57 pm
#188
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: We speak!
> > In ICQ correspondence with others around the planet, I've been told "I
> > can't talk about that" regarding numerous subjects in answer to
> > questions that I've asked. Can you imagine a citizen of the USA saying
> > something like that?!?
> > __________________________________________________ ___________
If that is the dictat of "authority"..........Yes
Del
--
Shin: A device for finding furniture in the dark.
------------
This post represents the views of the author and does not necessarily
accurately represent the views of my employer.
> > can't talk about that" regarding numerous subjects in answer to
> > questions that I've asked. Can you imagine a citizen of the USA saying
> > something like that?!?
> > __________________________________________________ ___________
If that is the dictat of "authority"..........Yes
Del
--
Shin: A device for finding furniture in the dark.
------------
This post represents the views of the author and does not necessarily
accurately represent the views of my employer.
Dec 16th 2002, 1:38 am
#189
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
nkosi278 wrote in message news:...
> "Excusez-moi, s'il vous plait, de vous deranger, mais
> - je ne parle pas francais ...or
> - j'ai un petit problem...or
> and
> - wearing appropriate CLOTHES in Paris (suit/tie in my bistro, please)
> - not raising your voice(s) in a restaurant
> - NEVER, EVER wearing SNEAKERS, and......
> lastly
> - NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WEARING A BASEBALL CAP !!!!!!!!
>
> nkosi and nkosi-kazi
>
So all French people where suits and ties while they are in Paris?
I think not!
briggl
------
http://bestofitaly2001.com Italy Travelogue
> "Excusez-moi, s'il vous plait, de vous deranger, mais
> - je ne parle pas francais ...or
> - j'ai un petit problem...or
> and
> - wearing appropriate CLOTHES in Paris (suit/tie in my bistro, please)
> - not raising your voice(s) in a restaurant
> - NEVER, EVER wearing SNEAKERS, and......
> lastly
> - NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS WEARING A BASEBALL CAP !!!!!!!!
>
> nkosi and nkosi-kazi
>
So all French people where suits and ties while they are in Paris?
I think not!
briggl
------
http://bestofitaly2001.com Italy Travelogue
Dec 16th 2002, 3:30 am
#190
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
I speak French and admit that's an advantage. However, knowing just a
few French phrases can lead to a wonderful experience. The French are
more formal than Americans are. They do not begin an interaction
before saying, "Bonjour Monsieur" or "Bonjour Madame." When we
Americans go right into our demands in English, that's an insult. I
don't know why it is so difficult for us Americans to understand that.
few French phrases can lead to a wonderful experience. The French are
more formal than Americans are. They do not begin an interaction
before saying, "Bonjour Monsieur" or "Bonjour Madame." When we
Americans go right into our demands in English, that's an insult. I
don't know why it is so difficult for us Americans to understand that.
Dec 16th 2002, 3:52 am
#191
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
On 16 Dec 2002 08:30:34 -0800, [email protected] (Viv) wrote:
>I speak French and admit that's an advantage. However, knowing just a
>few French phrases can lead to a wonderful experience. The French are
>more formal than Americans are. They do not begin an interaction
>before saying, "Bonjour Monsieur" or "Bonjour Madame." When we
>Americans go right into our demands in English, that's an insult. I
>don't know why it is so difficult for us Americans to understand that.
The way I liek to put it is that you can go up to a newstand in new
York and say, "Hey, Mac, gimme a Daily News!", but in Paris this will
get you the cold shoulder.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
>I speak French and admit that's an advantage. However, knowing just a
>few French phrases can lead to a wonderful experience. The French are
>more formal than Americans are. They do not begin an interaction
>before saying, "Bonjour Monsieur" or "Bonjour Madame." When we
>Americans go right into our demands in English, that's an insult. I
>don't know why it is so difficult for us Americans to understand that.
The way I liek to put it is that you can go up to a newstand in new
York and say, "Hey, Mac, gimme a Daily News!", but in Paris this will
get you the cold shoulder.
************* DAVE HATUNEN ([email protected]) *************
* Tucson Arizona, out where the cacti grow *
* My typos & mispellings are intentional copyright traps *
Dec 16th 2002, 6:28 am
#192
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: We speak!
Hi,
that's odd.
you're not a coworker/manager/boss or anything....
it's no great secret I've been to more than 1 coffeeshop... after all I
visit amsterdam at least once a year and have for over a decade...
ttyl
akia
Sjoerd wrote:
> "Icono Clast" schreef in bericht
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>[email protected] (jay) wrote:
>>>a free society must allow 'Cross Burning' and Flag desecration as part
>>>of the RIGHT to Free Speech... but the public should also shun them at
>>>every opportunity.
>>Bravo! You're absolutely correct, Jay. For the record, it's the Skokie
>>decision that caused me to finally join the American Civil Liberties
>>Union.
>>I'm looking forward to a correct decision on the cross burning case
>>the Supreme Court heard recently. Unfortunately, the law in question
>>complicates the matter.
>>Yes, we've gone a bit off topic but one of the most important
>>contributions UseNet makes to the planet is the evidence that we, the
>>fortunate citizens of the USA, truly do not fear to speak against our
>>politicians, system, and public figures.
>>In ICQ correspondence with others around the planet, I've been told "I
>>can't talk about that" regarding numerous subjects in answer to
>>questions that I've asked. Can you imagine a citizen of the USA saying
>>something like that?!?
>
>
> O yes. I have had on-line chats with US citizens who had been to Amsterdam,
> they refused to answer my question if they had been to a coffeeshop.
>
> Sjoerd
>
>
that's odd.
you're not a coworker/manager/boss or anything....
it's no great secret I've been to more than 1 coffeeshop... after all I
visit amsterdam at least once a year and have for over a decade...
ttyl
akia
Sjoerd wrote:
> "Icono Clast" schreef in bericht
> news:[email protected]...
>
>>[email protected] (jay) wrote:
>>>a free society must allow 'Cross Burning' and Flag desecration as part
>>>of the RIGHT to Free Speech... but the public should also shun them at
>>>every opportunity.
>>Bravo! You're absolutely correct, Jay. For the record, it's the Skokie
>>decision that caused me to finally join the American Civil Liberties
>>Union.
>>I'm looking forward to a correct decision on the cross burning case
>>the Supreme Court heard recently. Unfortunately, the law in question
>>complicates the matter.
>>Yes, we've gone a bit off topic but one of the most important
>>contributions UseNet makes to the planet is the evidence that we, the
>>fortunate citizens of the USA, truly do not fear to speak against our
>>politicians, system, and public figures.
>>In ICQ correspondence with others around the planet, I've been told "I
>>can't talk about that" regarding numerous subjects in answer to
>>questions that I've asked. Can you imagine a citizen of the USA saying
>>something like that?!?
>
>
> O yes. I have had on-line chats with US citizens who had been to Amsterdam,
> they refused to answer my question if they had been to a coffeeshop.
>
> Sjoerd
>
>
Dec 16th 2002, 5:21 pm
#193
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
grey wrote:
>
> On Thu, 12 Dec 2002 23:00:23 +0000, Padraig Breathnach
> wrote:
>
> >I have observed that people who speak English without asking first are
> >often badly received. In my view, rightly so. Bloody arrogant
> >foreigners.
>
> The locals know English, they're just prentending not to. Gotta yell
> at them pretty loud sometimes.
You forgot the smiley, Mr. grey - and you know how fast off the mark
some of the folks here can be. (They may not recognize the cliche as
such.)
>
> ---------------------------
> A truly cool book:
> The World Is Already Yours
> Conscious living in the real world
> www.alreadyyours.com (sample chapter, etc...)
>
> On Thu, 12 Dec 2002 23:00:23 +0000, Padraig Breathnach
> wrote:
>
> >I have observed that people who speak English without asking first are
> >often badly received. In my view, rightly so. Bloody arrogant
> >foreigners.
>
> The locals know English, they're just prentending not to. Gotta yell
> at them pretty loud sometimes.
You forgot the smiley, Mr. grey - and you know how fast off the mark
some of the folks here can be. (They may not recognize the cliche as
such.)
>
> ---------------------------
> A truly cool book:
> The World Is Already Yours
> Conscious living in the real world
> www.alreadyyours.com (sample chapter, etc...)
Dec 16th 2002, 5:25 pm
#194
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: The French are completely rude. Do not go there.
Marie Lewis wrote:
>
> In article ,
> "EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" writes
> >and since our teacher
> >was French (Breton, actually) with a thick French accent, I suspect what
> >we WERE taught bore little resemblance to a Spaniard's pronunciation, to
> >begin with.
> >
>
> Do American schools not use tapes, TV, computers, etc., to teach
> languages?
Well, they may now - you must realize, I was in high school back during
WW2. (There WERE no such things as tape recorders and computers, then!)
>
> In article ,
> "EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" writes
> >and since our teacher
> >was French (Breton, actually) with a thick French accent, I suspect what
> >we WERE taught bore little resemblance to a Spaniard's pronunciation, to
> >begin with.
> >
>
> Do American schools not use tapes, TV, computers, etc., to teach
> languages?
Well, they may now - you must realize, I was in high school back during
WW2. (There WERE no such things as tape recorders and computers, then!)
Dec 16th 2002, 5:37 pm
#195
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: We speak!
Sjoerd wrote:
>
> But the fact remains that even US citizens can sometimes not speak their
> mind freely.
Oh they CAN! (One ALWAYS can/could - even in Hitler's Germany or
Stalinist Russia.) Whether or not it's worth facing the possible
consequences is another question - and not everyone is so outspoken as I
tend to be.
>
> But the fact remains that even US citizens can sometimes not speak their
> mind freely.
Oh they CAN! (One ALWAYS can/could - even in Hitler's Germany or
Stalinist Russia.) Whether or not it's worth facing the possible
consequences is another question - and not everyone is so outspoken as I
tend to be.
