I will be going to Paris, first time, and on my own. I took french in high school but can't remember enough to get around. I will have a handbook, of course, but what lines/questions en francais helped you most to get around town and also be a friendly guest of Paris? Will also be dining alone but in March won't have the opportunity of outdoor cafes. Any suggestions for easygoing pleasant dining, maybe with music?<BR>May be staying in St. Germaine or Latin Quarter. Which is best for a newly 40 woman?Merci!

Christine,<BR><BR>Congratulations on your trip! You're going to love Paris. You will find that most Parisians speak excellent to good English, but it's always great to have a few French phrases available for common courtesies, etc. For this, I would highly recommend Berlitz's French phrase book and dictionary. It's small enough to bring along and I found it invaluable on our first few trips to Paris. In terms of the Latin Quarter or St. Germaine, you can't go wrong with either choice. These neighborhoods are next to each other, anyway. Another book to recommend: Irreverant Paris. I think it's published by Fodors ( or is it Frommer's?) and it suggests quite a few out of the ordinary Parisian experiences, restaurants, etc. Good luck with your trip, and if there's anything I can help with further, just e-mail.

Hey Christine<BR><BR>Check out<BR><BR>http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/languages/french/index.shtml<BR><BR>They've got all the phrases with real audio for you to hear them - helpful stuff.<BR>Have fun!<BR>=)

You should have no problem not speaking French -- you'll be in one of the more tourist-y areas so almost everyone you encounter will speak English or someone near will. Just remember to always say "bon jour" before you ask or say anything else (it's more forgivable to forget the "madame" or "monsieur" than to forget the "bon jour"). Best if you can do it without a big American grin (that's the HARDEST part!) ALWAYS say "merci" (it's ok to smile with a "merci"). If necessary (which it's usually not), you can ask if they speak English. My friend was SO frustrated because everyone spoke to her in English and she wanted to try out her French -- she didn't heed my warning about having no problem asking the question in French, but you have to be ready for the ANSWER in French!<BR><BR>And don't think you can't eat outdoors in March -- most cafes have outdoor tables under heat lamps. Outdoor dining might be a little chilly for you, but a coffee or kir under the heat lamp will be tolerable. And in France, you won't feel like such a pariah dining alone -- it's much more "acceptable" there than in the US (especially for lunch). <BR><BR>

Hey, chris, while we're at it, can you remind me which is the preferred error? When you address a woman, like a desk clerk, so you assume she is a madame or a mademoiselle? That's when i leave off the title, because i'm afraid I'll insult a younger woman calling her madame or maybe insult an older one calling here mademoiselle.

French people are very polite. Whenever you wish to ask someone a question first say bon jour M***, Then say excuse me and then ask the question and then say thank you and then good bye M***. You can translate these phrases depending on the circumstances.<BR><BR>Two other phrases that are very useful to know how to say are "please speakly slowly" and "indicate the direction of ----" .

Christine,<BR>I have very basic knowledge of the French language. But here are some things that I use quite abit when in Paris, & it has gotten me by. <BR>Use Bonjour frequently.<BR>Combien? - How much?<BR>I can understand some French, but only if it is spoken slowly:<BR>Parlais lentement(SP?) s'il vous plais - Speak slowly please.<BR><BR>Whether correctly or not, I also use: <BR>Je voudrais - I would like - probably the most, in conjuction with ordering food - Je voudrais une sandwich du jambon or when buying something in a store such as a shirt or sovenir. <BR>To ask for the check or bill after a meal: L'addition s'il vous plais. <BR>& when I really needed it, when my wife felt ill from rich food she ate, I was able to get a cab, ask him to wait, while I got my wife, from the park bench, to the cab & get us to the hotel. It was very rudementary but it got the point across & just using my High school French. Something like:<BR>Je returnez avec ma femme, qui a labaz(SP?) et elle malle de la stomach. Not very good French but it worked.

xxx -- It's my understanding that you always grant the respect of age -- "madame" is always preferred (unless the female is obviously a "madamoiselle").

Bill, don't you love it when that high school French allows you to accomplish such a feat? I was proud when I called our hotel in Paris a few days before our arrival and managed to communicate that we were arriving a day early, that the room was available and the rate would be the same, all in my high school French. It is surprising when you are in France how much of it comes back that you thought you had forgotten. <BR><BR>Christine, have fun!

Contrary to what you may have heard, very few people are rude.<BR><BR>You have a few choices. Learn nothing, learn a few words or carry around a phrase book. The first shows that you made no attempt. The last is very cumbersome and a waste of valuable time. That leaves the second.<BR><BR>Start with hello, goodbye, thank you and your welcome. Use them as often as you can and you'll do fine. If you pick up a few more phrases great.<BR><BR>Enjoy yourself.<BR>

Oh Christine you are going to have such a fantastic time!!!!<BR><BR>I agree with everyone who has recommended to learn the pleasantries (sp?). The other thing I do is as I'm speaking with someone who is nice enough to speak to me in English, I try to answer in French and learn some of what they are telling me in French. For example I ordered from a waiter in French but he asked me a question and I didn't understand. He re asked in English and when I answered I asked "now how do I say that in French?" Then I repeated it back to him in French. 1) shows them you are interested in learning their beautiful language 2) taught me something new!<BR><BR>If you try they will be very polite and helpful. If you don't try they have every right to be rude (IMO). <BR><BR>Dining in March may give you the opportunity to eat outside- the cafes have heat lamps. I was there in December and had lunch outside!<BR><BR>You will love either area! They are perfect! For restaurants in those neighborhoods look up Chez Rene on St. Germaine! Small super friendly family owned restaurant (they speak English), also Chez Maitre Paul by metro Odeon. Of course enjoy Les Deux Magots.<BR><BR>For cocktails/live jazz I really liked Le Bibloquet just off St. Germaine close to Les Deux Magots. Everyone sits cramped together so being on your own will be no problem! Or there is also a bar.<BR><BR>I have run into many women traveling solo at La Familia hotel in the 5th.<BR><BR>Excuse moi, Parlez vous Englais s'il vous plait? will help you get the info you need!

Interesting comment about the madame vs. madamoiselle. A number of years ago I greeted the female desk clerk at a hotel with "bon jour madame" as I would have guessed her to be well into her forties. She raised her eyebrows and said in no uncertain times. "I am a madamoiselle!" Since then, I've always dropped the m words at the end of bon jour. She certainly seemed insulted, but I don't know how I was to know. At least with men you're always safe with monsieur. Just like here, how do you know if it is Miss or Mrs. or now Ms.?? When all we have is a simple Mr.

If you try and speak any French, people are helpful. My French was dreadful, but a smile and good intent takes you a lone way. As far as dining, get a book called Bistros and Wine Bars of Paris. Author is Hamburger. Best investment I made. Found some wonderful places in all price categories. One hint I wish I'd had: make a reversation for Sunday. Many places are closed, and those that aren't are packed. Sante!