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Most Useful French Phrases

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Most Useful French Phrases

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Old Aug 1st, 2008, 02:59 PM
  #81  
 
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Oh, for once advertising helped Of course "ehrin" is promoting his/her business, just click on the nickname, but I forgot Fodor's has the phrases page!

Barbara in Fl, if you're still around, thank you for the link! I went to Spanish section and printed for my next trip =D>
FainaAgain is offline  
Old Aug 1st, 2008, 03:36 PM
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Why is it that so many phrase lists tell you how to ask where the toilets are but don't give you any clues about the answers?

Anyway, in a restaurant or cafe, you usually get one of three answers:
au fond (at the back)
en bas or au sous-sol (downstairs)
or
à l'étage (upstairs)

Apologies if I missed any accent marks.

Also, I often heard people in Brussels use the phrase "Où se trouvent les toilettes?" (where are the toilets located) or the more open-ended "les toilettes se trouvent...?" I usually ask it that way, just to be different, I guess.
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Old Aug 1st, 2008, 03:39 PM
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Author: BTilke
Date: 08/01/2008, 07:36 pm
Why is it that so many phrase lists tell you how to ask where the toilets are but don't give you any clues about the answers?

Because this is the case where finger pointing works the best
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Old Aug 1st, 2008, 04:39 PM
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When asking directions, asking for something in a store, or any other time you need a response from someone, always preface your question with "Pardonnez-moi de vous déranger, madame (or monsieur)." (Excuse me for disturbing you.) This is a vital phrase for getting along in France.
The French are very polite and expect politeness in return. But they don't often smile at strangers.
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