Espion007 From Denmark, joined Dec 2003, 1691 posts, RR: 0 Posted (9 years 1 week 1 day ago) and read 1048 times:
sorry if i got the french wrong-i can barley stay awake in french class!
anyway, je va voyage en avion a Nice a novembre,and the last thing i want to look like is a tourist. what can i do/wear to look the least like an american tourist as possible in france?
SOUTHAMERICA From Colombia, joined Dec 2003, 2496 posts, RR: 15 Reply 1, posted (9 years 1 week 1 day ago) and read 1033 times:
Almost in the same possition.
I'm traveling to Nice in January, and I know like 50% of French. Many things are heard about non-french speakers in France, but is it true that they are struct with people who don't speak the language very well?
PU151 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (9 years 1 week 1 day ago) and read 1016 times:
Just act normal. The niçois are excellent hosts, really kind people, and with a good sense of humor! Plus, you'll be more likely to find english-speakers down there (I used to live in Cannes, but now I live in Lille, to the north of France).
One problem though, many of them suffer from a bad case of southern accent. Charming (I've been trying to mimmick it since I came to France), but extremely difficult to understand for the non-initiated.
Don't try not to look as a tourist, because they'll find out as soon as you say a word... If you want to blend in with the masses, just dress normal. That means no baseball caps, of course (now that was a stereotype).
Oh, and BTW, as a friendly tip... it's "Je ne parle pas l'anglais".
Deltaflyertoo From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 1589 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (9 years 1 week 1 day ago) and read 1013 times:
SouthAmerica:
They prefer that you speak French but from what I've noticed, when forced to switch over to English, they ALL speak it ten times better than most Americans. Its insane...
PU151 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (9 years 1 week 1 day ago) and read 1007 times:
Sorry Southamerica, didn't see your post. Yes, in the past they were somewhat rude on people not speaking French, but that was ages ago. OK, there might still be some "irréductibles" but, what the hell, idiots are born in all countries.
My overall feeling is that most French people are uncomfortable with speaking in another language, particularly in English, because it's a somewhat "alien" language, it is not a latin tongue as Italian, for example. Hence what Delta pointed out, they will prefer you to speak in French, but if they have to resort to English, they will with absolutely no problems.
Don't worry, in the worst case you will always find a French english-speaker somewhere to help you out.
Luv767s From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 265 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (9 years 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 976 times:
I've gone to Nice for the past 2 summers and I know a few French phrases. Only twice I've had to use them, at a train station, and a restaurant. I love Nice and everyone there is so gracious. Someone around will speak English even if they don't want to. We had several meals in Nice where the waiter spoke no English and we did just fine. They are used to tourists there and they have menus in several languages.
I would say NOT to wear any American sports things. And do bring a French dictionary in case you need to read signs etc.
BTW: the French do wear jeans.
-"...never have I been a blue calm sea, I have always been a storm"
Arcano From Chile, joined Mar 2004, 2397 posts, RR: 26 Reply 13, posted (9 years 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 912 times:
Hi
I've been in Paris. Before to get there, I had your same fear: French hate English (language).
Let me tell you, I can express myself in a reasonable clear French, but I had many troubles trying to get their answer.
French and Parisians were very friendly; when they got my face of "what!?!?!?" they asked me is I spoke English, and they made the effort to speak English (or even Spanish).
As already said, just be nice and, I don't know exactly why, but I also recommend to avoid tshirts of "I love LA" or "Knicks". I got the best impression of France and its people. I only remember 1 bad French that cared nothing about my language in a train station.
Saludos )( Arcano
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LH423 From Canada, joined Jul 1999, 6501 posts, RR: 55 Reply 14, posted (9 years 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 909 times:
The French don't wear sneakers?!?! WHAT?!?! Too bad no one told much of the French youth that. You most certainly can wear sneakers, however, if you do and you don't want to look American, don't tie them. Tuck your shoe laces inside your sneakers.
And if you want to say "anglais" instead of "français", you might want to try "je ne parle qu'anglais" or "je parle seulement anglais". At least that way...people will know you can't speak French
LH423
« On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux » Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
QANTASFOREVER From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (9 years 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 836 times:
Simply dress in a sensible manner, swiming costume is appropriate only by the pool or at the beach, if you can only hear yourself talking in a loud place then you are probably too loud, at least try to speak French - it is appreciated. If you want a fix of english, come over the border to Monaco. The Grimaldis love tex-mex so there's plenty of that.
Just be open to the culture - and maybe pretend to be Canadian.
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