this post was submitted on 09 Jun 2025
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I spent two years living in Germany, about a 30-minute drive from the French border.
When my coworkers visited France and spoke English, everyone was rude to them and refused to help them. When my wife and I went to France and attempted to speak French, everyone was super nice and helpful... but would immediately switch to English for us.
We learned that as long as you made an attempt to speak their language, the French were very accommodating. But they'd get offended if you just assumed they spoke English.
My wife actually got frustrated because she wanted to practice her French, but no one would speak French with her. Except for the Germans. She tried to speak German to a guy in Berlin once and he switched to French for her. Turns out, my wife speaks German with a French accent. She was able to successfully complete the conversation in French.
I got told by a friend that if you want to encounter polite french people learn one phrase "Hello. I'm sorry, I dont speak french. Do you speak english?"
Dont assume they speak english and dont butcher their language.
Exactly.
In Paris and other urban and touristy locations you'll encounter the one listed. Elsewhere they might refuse you service if you don't at least say bonjour and try a few words. And when you do, they tend to be very nice.
Dunno... I'm from Belgium and I speak fluent French and oh my god how rude they can be in the south... Even tough we could perfectly understand each other, just because some words may be a bit different I had one couple In a super market talk me out to learn to speak French?
I was so shocked I couldn't even think straight anymore. They have to much pride in their language / culture... The Frenchies are the worst people I have ever met, even Germans who are supposed to be cold and non welcomed where way more friendlier.
Just a bad experience In the South of France I guess?
That may be a southern France thing. My wife had a similar experience there. She was trying to buy tickets and struggling over the French words. A schoolteacher with a bunch of kids in tow pushed past her, got tickets for her school kids, then turned to my wife and said in English, "Your French is terrible. Maybe you just shouldn't speak at all."
My wife was so mortified, she didn't speak to anyone else the rest of that trip.
You come to me and speak your vulgar filthy Latin? Learn proper Latin you fuck.
Huh... so it's not just Quebec. Good to know!!
But did you go to Paris