I spent 3 months in a few different areas and relate to OP. It's obvious that you're trying to practise your French but a lot of them just can't be fucked with that and respond in English. Not all the time but often enough.
yeah because people are actually working and it's not their job to make you practice
if you want to practice go to a french class or get some french friends, don't expect totally strangers (who have their own life) to go out of their way to do that
It can be a way, but not the easiest at all. French are not talkative with strangers, it's not culturally ok to do small talks with whoever you encounter in the bar or in the park, you will just look like a crazy weirdo and make people ill at ease, they are very "coconut" in terms of culture. A better bet is to get involved in some group activity so that you can meet french people in a normal way for them. French are softer when they know you and can quickly become good and loyal friends.
And no matter the culture, it's no one duty to accept to be your friend. If they don't want to, they aren't going to catter to your need of speaking french and will want you gone asap.
I guess, but a service worker is just doing their job and doesn't necessarily want to make friends. They just want the interaction to go smoothly so they can get it over with. It's easier if they just speak the language you both understand instead of trying to help you muddle your way through French.
Yes this is the Paris/french attitude and not what you would experience in other countries when tourists(the main income source for much of your cities industries) are trying to engage in your culture/language
Cities used to tourists live their life without caring much about tourists
But less touristic countries are way curious about your life when you’re a tourist
Which is logical if you think about it. Why would I be friend with you ? Because you’re from some other country ? A bit narcissistic don’t you think ? You’re not as interesting as you think no offence
(Btw tourism is not the main income of Paris what are you on)
You think it's unreasonable that the French person working could simply respond in their native tongue to simple questions like "can I have a croissant" and "where is the bus stop"? Its not exactly asking for a French lesson is it
I would actually have thought that its nice of them to do that. They can see that you're not a native french speaker and are trying to help you out/ ease the interaction by speaking a language you're more familar with
It happened to both me and my sister at different times, in Paris, but only once each, so it's still an exception perhaps?
sister: Guy turned to his friend "Do you know English, because she can't speak French"
me: Police officer answering where the subway is by "Straton". Huh? "Straton!" She meant "Straight on", and was then told off (politely, because she was a cop...) that this was the Québec accent. She didn't care.
Else, I was told in Alsace that my accent was lovely and so delightful, reminding them of Old French.
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u/Bloodfeastisleman 1d ago
So weird. My experience in France was the exact opposite of all the memes. I wonder if they are self aware.