A friend of mine is moving to the south of France and is not sure what to expect. She is American and worried?
that she will have a difficult time. She doesnt speak much French but is trying to revise. Ive told her not to worry and Im sure that she will be fine but I really hold no idea what she is getting herself into. Anyone lived/spent an extended extent of time in Southern France ? If so how did you find it and is at hand anything she should know? Also any phrases in French that are essential for her to know how to say aloud? Thanks for any suggestions
Answers: Tell her not to worry. She is moving to a WAY safer country!!
Like the others hold said she needs to at most minuscule try to speak French and I know from personal experience I straight up said "Je ne parle pas le beaucoup de francais" or "Je parle un petite francais" nothing is reliable but they know you are trying. Plus depending on where she is in that is quite a bit of english self spoken due to tourism.
She will be speaking french in no time living in that being submersed contained by to the culture and language.
I hold a friend that has lived in attendance for about 2.5 years that his articulation is almost perfect.
moral luck to your friend she is very lucky to enjoy the chance to live in attendance.
She should remember she is their guest and not expect people to speak English for her benefit.
She should swot up to say: "Mon Francais n'est pas bien. Parlez vous Anglais? (My French is not correct. Do you speak English?) Please, Thank you and "Excuse Me" are all key wherever you turn. That said, most younger people speak English capably. They are, for any given age, better educated than we are.
She should dress properly. Americans are certain for being too free and too sloppy--especially the women. Sneakers, for example are only worn when playing sports. It is not considered appropriate footwear for the street.
She should look at what other girls are wearing--French females roughly look GREAT when they walk out the door--and they put application into that. Think skirts and dresses rather than jeans and T-shirts (only appropriate for working within the yard).
Depending on how she dresses now, she may want to budge there beside a rather relinquish suitcase with the intention of doing some shopping to attain the right look. I really can't emphasis this "girls dress up for everyday and everything" piece enough. If she is to be surrounded by a city, she will need shoes, skirts and an "LBD" (Little Black Dress) for evenings.
France have a large population of Muslims of North African (Arab) descent. They are outstandingly angry at both the French, and us. She should take some time to cram the history of how and why they are there. She should fashion friends with them and be a well brought-up ambassador.
French people within general do not resembling America's foreign policy and think the current President is a trick. She should learn to not attain drawn into political discussions if she has strong pro time of war or pro Bush feelings.
That said, the French are lovely, melt people in recent times dying to feed you, serve you devout wine and ask you plenty of questions more or less Disneyland and Dallas (the TV show--most of the world thinks we adjectives live like that).
And it is true, the better you speak French, the faster and easier they will adopt you. I'm fluent now and the difference surrounded by reception between now when I walk, and when I first went various years ago, is like hours of darkness and day.
Just be honest, be expand to different things which may be wierd to us, and she should be fine.
Oh yeah. SPEAK FRENCH!
People may speak back within english but don't give within. You are there to revise!
Passez-vous un bon vacance en France.
C'est trés belle à cette époque-là!
I lived in France for a few years and agree next to most everything said in previous answers. I wouldn't verbs about getting a french wardrobe though. They'll know you're not french no event what. However, skip the shorts. French people solely wear shorts for sports or when going to the beach.
Also hold in mind that food is sanctified in France so don't stir for a walk 5 mins since mealtime... And don't ever ask what a dish is until you've eat it. When we took our 15 yo daughter with us we told everyone not to report to her what was anyone served and she ate everything, found most of it great and never again had a problem ingestion things out of the ordinary.
Thanks! You basically offered me a good roll with laughter.
Firts of all, where on earth in the south? Southwest (the best)? Southeast?
I don't know what she expects but it's not close to she goes within easters russia or I don't know where.
I know resourcefully the southwest and it's the best place in France (Toulouse!!). People are much more friendly than within Paris for instance.
I spent a few days in southern France. One article I can tell you is this.. Don't listen to the medium about the French.
IF you be paid an attempt to learn the communication and ways there, they are more than gracious.
IF you step there assuming they speak English (a lot do), after they might give you the cold shoulder. Example: I go to a cafe (beautiful waitress by the way), and ordered a cheese pizza. The waitress acted like she have no idea what I be talking in the region of. However, I then attempted to charge it in French, using the "avec fromage exclusive", and adjectives of the sudden she spoke wonderful English.
She wasn't being suggest or anything, just variety of a "you're not in America anymore", connotation. She was truly very pleasant afterward.
Whenever you stir somewhere greet people within French... They can tell by your diction you're not French, but will appreciate the attempt.
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