I lived in Brussels for almost eight years. I know that when I traveled to France on occasion, they would usually look at me like I was a total moron, and I ne

I lived in Brussels for almost eight years. I know that when I traveled to France on occasion, they would usually look at me like I was a total moron, and I never understood why. I'm sure part of it was that I was a classic "dumb American" in Paris, but Belgian natives also explained to me that they speak French much more quickly down there, and anyone who speaks it more slowly (as is done in Brussels and virtually all other Francophone places in the world, including most of the rest of France), likewise get treated like they are morons. So, the Belgians certainly noticed that French has changed over time and it has changed more quickly in Paris over the other parts of the world, and they were helpful enough to share this information with me.