Speaking English in France?

Question

I'm an American traveling to France for a week. I have heard two things...

1. Try to speak French and the French will like you more...

2. Don't insult the French by trying to speak French. Just speak English.

What do you suggest? What do the French people think about American tourists?

Answer 1

there's no answer to this, there are people like me who don't expect people to bother to speak French, and others like my mother who won't understand anything that you say in French because of your accent, even if you're fluent. It's everywhere the same. And for those French who say that everywhere they go, they try to speak some of the language, believe me that they don't bother to speak a word of arab when they go to Maghreb for holidays!!

What do people think about  American tourists? we're unable to tell if you're American or Australian or English...many people like my parents are unable to tell whether you speak English or German or Dutch (I wanted to say this for those who say that we are rude to American tourists or that we "pretend" not to understand English")

Answer 2

French people (especially the Parisians) would highly appreciate if you try to speak to them in French. Don’t worry if you can’t speak good French, they’ll still try to understand you.

Answer 3

If you can speak french, do it.

If you only know a few word, just try to use them (but good words of course !). At least, try.

If you don't know a single word of french, first ask "do you speak english" or in french "parlez-vous anglais ?" or "vous parlez anglais ?" and if yes speak english, american (what you want) but slowly and clearly if the person you talk to is not fluent in english. And if you stay enough time to learn a little bit, learn all what you can and use it.

@great : please don't reduce France to Paris and frenches to parisians (even if you're right for the rest).

Answer 4

How would you like it if a Chinese tourist came up to you in your hometown expecting you to speak Mandarin?  The French appreciate it if you try to speak their language in their country.  You should know at least a few basic phrases before you leave.  

This is pretty much true of traveling to any country by the way.  

Answer 5

If you speak french, speak it

If you don't speak french, before your travel look for the translations words that you think to use. It's better if you begin in french, even to continue in english.

I give you a list a few words in French :

Good morning = bonjour

good evening = bonsoir

Bye bye = au revoir

see you soon = à bientôt

thank you = merci

left = gauche

right = droite

I look for = je cherche

excuse me = excusez-moi

I'm sorry = je suis désolé

the station = la gare

the airport = l'aéroport

To rent = louer

house = maison

car = voiture

beach = plage

water = eau

Good travel in my coutry :)

Answer 6

Using at least a few simple French words and phrases is a good idea and is generally appreciated.

In decades of traveling to almost every corner of the world I have found that knowing at least some of the local language, whatever it is, will win you friends.

It happens that I speak French relatively well but even if they are only smiling at my frightful accent at least they are smiling.

I frequently hear people complain that the French are insulted by someone attempting  the language but I suspect that these are just people who are otherwise acting like jackasses and fastening on their poor command of French as the cause of their problems.

Answer 7

As french, I love to hear American people speaking french with a beautiful accent. It's not a problem if there are mistakes as I appreciate myself that american people are very tolerant when I'm speaking english with my french accent. I think that french people don't really know a lot of american tourist, except in Paris. The best way is to be yourself, to try and keep smiling. A friendly smile can makes the door open every where you go. Unfortunatly there are friendly people everywhere and stupid people everywhere too but this is not a new information....Welcome in France !

Answer 8

  Fake problem - travel will not change you - don't mix up travel and miracle - you are what you are - Something people ignore : i never read this about us is that we have dreadful eyes, and psycho-analyst

gift - it means that if you' re a cretin you'll be treated in due proportion,

except in places where your $$$$$ are expected - and if you're smart and/or good person, you' ll be welcome anywhere - France is not an exception - We are humans - and neurosis is an alternative to human behaviour - ( spellchecker says BEHAVIOR - the spellchecker is an idiotttttt )  

Answer 9

1.If you can speak french, do it.  If you can't, don't embarass yourself.  The French are (usually) okay with you speaking english to them.  

2. As stated above, true.  It's not insulting the French, so much as embarassing yourself.  Occasionally, you will get someone who will speak french with you to practice, even when it's obvious that you don't speak it very well yourself.  

-If you're in touristy areas or cities, most people will be able to speak (at least a little) English.  Especially in Paris, many people can speak English.  For some strange reason, the French have historically liked americans, and are not as angry at american tourists as the rest of the world is.

Answer 10

I vote for number 1. Try to speak French and the French will like you more...

Answer 11

Les français aiment bien le contact des touristes étrangers. De plus si vous parler leur langue, même maladroitement, il s'attarderont avec vous. Il y a un coté New Yorkais chez les Parisiens qui étonne quelquefois.