4 ms·

I'm visiting Paris fairly often and my French (Swiss German school french) can easily be described as rotten. It's serviceable enough to buy a carnet of metro t

I'm visiting Paris fairly often and my French (Swiss German school french) can easily be described as rotten. It's serviceable enough to buy a carnet of metro tickets, or to ask directions. I noticed, however, that it's highly appreciated when I try to speak French with Parisians and I very rarely get snide answers. I observe this actually in almost every country. Try to speak a few words of the language and you're usually rewarded. (And compared to my Czech, my French is easily on Camus level). I think one of the issues is that the French are especially touchy when it comes to language and radiating an attitude of "Are those natives actually to dumb to speak proper English" definitely won't win the French over.

graue 13y ago
Interesting. I had a different experience in Montreal (and my mother when she visited Paris): we would try to say a few words of French, and people would immediately realize we were American and switch to English in response. Maybe your French isn't quite as rotten as you think.
- claudius 13y ago
  That is exactly the effect described by the GP: People appreciate you trying to speak French and help you out in whatever way they can, in this case by switching to English. The point is for you to give a decent first impression by doing some work and at least attempting to communicate in French rather than expecting them to speak English from the start.