You gotta prime them :) - Parlez-vous anglais? - No - Je ne parle pas bien le français, mais ... [followed by English with French-style word mangling

You gotta prime them :) - Parlez-vous anglais? - No - Je ne parle pas bien le français, mais ... [followed by English with French-style word mangling and descriptive gestures and sounds] Once they know you suck at French, they will spe-ak slo-o-o-w-e-r and cut you a break in general.