GiuliaPiraino

I am glad to hear that, that sounded really odd to me. I love the idea that two people who speak different languages from two different cultures, can understand what a smile means, it's just a lovely outward expression of what's inside. I know there are certain cultures, like the Native Americans we have here, that don't smile and make direct eye contact in certain situations, but I never heard that of the French. We live in a state with a lot of immigrants and when one of them comes into my family shop to do business, they look so scared because they can't communicate. I just smile which instantly puts them at ease and somehow we get through it with a lot hand gestures we manage to get it all figured out and occasionally have a laugh or two.

I'm sure not every Parisian is thrilled with tourists, but I do believe that in general, smiling is a sign of peace and it does help if you are fumbling through with a phrase book!

Guenmai

It's a tourist city with tons of tourists from countries all over the world and who also don't speak French. These days it's a LOT easier than in past decades...like through the 70 and 80s especially. So, don't worry about it too much. Get a phrase book and cassette and go over the basics, I would say and have a great time. Happy Travels!

GiuliaPiraino

I was also surprised, however it makes sense now, to see how many of the shops and restaurants in Paris spoke Spanish.

d_claude_bear

Our spoken French is improving (a lot of hard work over the years) to the extent that waiters, shopkeepers, etc. now (this month)respond in French and stay with the language even as we are very imperfect. On our previous trip nine years ago, most of them responded in English and kept using English (whether we wanted that or not). On trips before that (12-20 years ago) most people we encountered, except at train stations, large magasins, etc., never used English.

Is it because we have changed? they have changed? or both? I think it reflects a change for both parties.

For most purposes you can get by in Paris just fine with little French beyond the basic niceties and survival phrases other posters have mentioned. But it is gratifying to have enough familiarity with the language of "the natives" to at least play at using it. As most of you have experienced, it is easier to read than to speak, and easier to speak (preparing what you want to say, using words you know) than to listen.

heyjohn07

Use gestures, and speak with an accent (for this you should watch Pink Panther a few times over - the more recent one, with Steve Martin!). Really, it'll all fall into place. You see, there are many words that French and English share; all you have to do is say them with a French accent. For example (exompl in French), ze peekpohkeet (the pickpocket); really, it's the same word. Or aaneemohseetay (animosity); and so on... Just remember, as in the U.K. where you learn to say please and thank you, in Paris merci and sil vous plais are popular (and except in a very few cases, always, always drop the last consonant in every word, and never ever pronounce an H for it doesn't exist in French except for visuals). Also, "you are welcome" in American translates as "de rien" in French. And nothing is gutteral in French. And, yes, if you can develop an overbite while speaking (just while speaking), so much the better, for then you'll find that the French accent flows quite naturally. But all said and done, it's a beautiful language, and music to the ear. Still, you can get around veet zjust eengleesh and 'aand gestures. Believe me, I've done it. Good luck on your trip.

GiuliaPiraino

Does anyone know if speaking Catalan is useful in Paris? Or is Paris too far from the border for it to spread over? I love how similar it is to French, si vous plait in French, si us plau in Catalan. I wonder if it would fly?

GiuliaPiraino

Oops I meant sil vous plais.

NeoPatrick

After my first trip to France some 22 years ago, I was convinced I wanted to learn French, but I just never have -- always putting it off. I've been back to France at least a dozen times and have stayed in Paris every time for a at least a week or two. They just make it too easy for us NOT to speak Frence. Of course, I've picked up a few words (poorly spoken no doubt), but the language has simply never been a problem.

Cowboy1968

Catalan has only spread over a few kilometers across the border into France. I doubt that it will be of much use in Paris, except that someone who knows Catalan should be able to read French somewhat easily (and vice versa).

Many, many tourists visit Paris who don't know (much) French and who do not speak English as their first language. I think a waiter in Paris fears much more a native Czech (or German, Russian, etc. etc.) using some broken English to communicate than some native English speaker from the US or UK.

And sorry.. I know I'm anal about this.. but it's "s'il vous plaît". Four words.

C2BK

Most French people speak some English, however not everyone in France feels the need to advertise that fact, and anyone arrogantly expecting a response in English seems to put their back up.

I do speak some French, but nowhere near enough to get me through most conversations, however I've found that even a greeting in French, results in a sudden linguistic ability.

So my advice is to use what little French you have, you'll be surprised how many English speakers there are!

Wengenlover

Merci !!!! We'll letcha know how things went after we get back...