I suppose this question is mainly for Italians and Italian speakers: Did you find it common in Paris that the natives (waiters, taxi drivers, etc.) spoke or at least understood Italian?

I don't speak much French but can communicate in Italian (as well as English, obviously). So I was wondering if Italian will come in handly in Paris.

Thanks.

I am french, living close to Monte-Carlo.
I have spent a part of my carreer in Paris and i can tell you without any hesitation that rare are those who speak italian among those you call the natives (waiters; etc..)
you would be more successfull when speaking english than italian even if french are what they are when talking a foreign language...

Only in Italian restaurants run by ex-pats. English is much more widely understood.

Italian came handy when I was travelling in Spain as people finally understood me. Never tried it in Paris but you'll easily survive with English.

My various Italian friends in Italy and friends in the USA that are originally from Italy have always told me that they have never been really able to communicate in Italian while visiting France including Paris. So from their comments over the years I would assume that English would no doubt be the best language to use..although you are fortunate you know even a little French.

Merci beaucoup! Grazie mille! Thank you very much!

English is much more widely spoken in Paris tha is italian.

And while Italian and Spanish are close enough that some simple things can be understood from one language to another - the same is much less true for French and Italian.

I remember noticing in Paris that I was seeing lots of Italian people attempting to communicate in English.

angry or not, I thought richardsnsnm's response was pretty funny.

I always think of the I Love Lucy episode where she's arrested for passing counterfeit francs. She explains in English to Ricky, he in Spanish drunk at the jail, the Spaniard in German to a genderme, and the cop in French to the chief. All interpreting Lucy and Ricky's gestures and facial expressionas, of course.

sorry, richardsnmnsmsndsnm's , fingers get stuck in the keys. Gotta stop eating gelato at the keyboard.

It is not anger, it is disbelief, i mean, where do people come up with questions like these? geeeeez.

Well, anybody who can't speak English on this board might be relieved to know that they can usually get by with speaking French in Italy if necessary.

I agree , also you can get along better in Italy speaking English than French or even Spanish.

Good point, richardson. And who's wasting their time trying to point out that they don't think someone's questions are meaningful?

Anger management works. Try it.