Will I have a hard time while in France if I only know Sesame Street french?

Question

I'm planning on going to France for a couple weeks and I really only know a little bit of French like numbers, certain foods, animals, body parts...basically what they teach on Sesame Street. Do most people who work in resturants and hotels speak English? How hard do you think it will be to communicate with people?

Answer 1

Cabal gave a good answer.  

Definitely use as much French as you can.  You are the one going to the foreign country where your language is not the official one.  If you at least make the effort to speak French it will be taken as a sign of respect and you will be treated well.  If you "expect" everyone to speak English to you like it is some sort of constitutional right that is owed to you; the French will not be happy to deal with you.  Many people do speak English there, but it is by no means everyones second language.  But you should be fine in tourist areas.

Answer 2

This question is asked quite often here, you'll find it and the answers if you do a search.

In short, the French do not hate Americans (they dislike Bush, which is a different thing).

Many French speak some English but they are far from fluent and are afraid of showing how bad their English is. If you speak fast, with a heavy accent, they will just give up without even trying. Slow and articulate, and use simple words.

French are very formal people (it has been said that the French are the Japanese of Europe). There are some rules of behaviour that are considered basic politeness, foreigners ignore them at their own risk.

Always say Bonjour, even if you don't speak French. Whenever you enter a shop, want to buy a ticket, or ask for information use that magical formula which unlocks the French normal behaviour. Don't and you will get the cold shoulder treatment reserved to rude people. You can follow that by : do you speak English? You'll be surprised by the number of yes you will suddenly get.

Excuse me, please and thank you, in French preferably (Excusez moi, s'il vous plait, merci). If you listen around you will quickly realise that the French use them so automatically they don't even stop for breath between that and the rest of the sentence.

Don't grab or touch people, keep your voice muted (you'll notice that it is the tourists you hear in France).

If you go to Paris you will find plenty of English speakers, tourism is a huge industry there, the percentage is way less in other cities.

Have a nice trip.

Answer 3

go, enjoy yourself, and if you are american, it doesnt matter if you speak the language or not, they dont like americans :)

Answer 4

Depends which country you come from. The French are quite unfriendly , unhelpful, and sometimes down right rude.! They dont like the English either. When I wore my Aussie T shirt, I got better treatment.!!!!

Answer 5

Agreed with the other responders! Also learn "pardon me, do you speak english" (pardonez-moi, parlez vous anglais), I am lost (je suis perdu)...and where is the bathroom (ou est le WC/les toilettes)! If you're a picky eater, learn to recognize the names of food that you do/don't eat.

I found it quite frustrating...I am glad that I got some French language CDs to brush up on before leaving for my trip. Bonne chance!

Answer 6

contact a tourism area.  They may have someone that speaks english, when you find someone, maybe they can write the words you need down on paper and you can maybe point! lol i am really unsure but good luck

or write the words down on a notepad from online and bring the notepad everywhere you go and just point your finger

but i would use that as a last resort to words you may not learn or remember well

Answer 7

yes..the French speak English & you'll be fine with just what you know....however - they do appreciate it if you can try to speak a little of their language...so do give it a try!

Answer 8

Hi,

You are more than welcome  you know?

We are used to tourists in France, and we have no problem with american.

Enjoy your trip here, make the most of it, speak French if you like.

It is true that it is better to say "bonjour" in French first, just to show that you are making efforts.

Au revoir ;-)