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> (Irritatingly, men are “monsieur” forever.) Well, they might be called "monsieur" in a French Cafe, but it is in the relation with youger ones that the diffe
by woliveirajr 8y ago
> (Irritatingly, men are “monsieur” forever.)
Well, they might be called "monsieur" in a French Cafe, but it is in the relation with youger ones that the difference arrives, even for men.
The tone used changes, so being a man and being called a "sir" with a different tone, followed by a different look , also makes you remind that you're over 40. Or when younger ones offer to help you (!) with a mobile (!!) or even how to open a door with one of those "security" mechanisms, like contact card or something like that (just because you tried to tap someplace and the sensor, actually, was 2 inches further to the left).
Those small punches of realitty, remembering that some people see you as some "old man" can be disturbing.
- glandium 8y ago(I'm french) I actually don't think I've been called "monsieur" at cafes in my 20s. That came later.
- V-2 8y agoMuch more so in a less egalitarian language such as Polish (or German, I imagine?), where the distinction between informal "you" and "sir" (or "pan") is a bigger deal than in English.
- ThePadawan 8y ago100% agree (as a German). Being called the more formal "Sie" is sort-of standard when a stranger asks me for directions in the street - but being called Sie at work would be a huge turn-off. It immediately projects the statement "and please wear a tie during work hours".
- bambax 8y ago>> (Irritatingly, men are “monsieur” forever.) Yeah, this isn't true. Young men are called "jeune homme" in cafés and such. And then when you get older there comes a time when you're called "jeune homme" again, in a weird sarcastic-but-kind way. You will hear very old men be called "jeune homme" all the time, and then everyone laughs. Apparently it's a joke that never gets old. (Source: am French).
- glandium 8y agoOh yeah, "jeune homme". I got that one too. It usually came from people in their late 30s or more and always felt condescending. And I've heard it said to older people like you did.
- emodendroket 8y agoPeople in the US love making essentially the same crack about "young men" and "young ladies."
- cataphract 8y agoI actually have the opposite reaction. I'm 31, in Portugal, and I get mildly annoyed when people call me "jovem" rather than "senhor". And I get super annoyed when they use "tu" (happens mostly in bars).
- xutopia 8y agoIt's also spoken slower when you reach you 40s (I'm also French). A young man might be called Monsieur but it's said really quickly like there is no reverence.