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After hearing for years that most of the Western world speaks English, I expected France to be the same. I had heard people speak English in Paris and thought Paris was the standard! What I have learned is that the French, even today, live with a TRUE fear of losing their identity and culture since so few people outside of France speak French! Furthermore, they seem have a collective feeling that WWII was yesterday!! (So are suspicious of outsiders) So- I have been in more situations than I can count where it became clear at some point in a conversation that the person opposite me CAN speak English, but WON'T!!! I'm over it now, but it did cause a great deal of frustration initially! Part of living abroad is gaining respect and understanding for differences. I TRY to keep this perspective, but sometimes I want to shout, "I can tell you understand me!! I won't tell your grandparents who probably lectured you to not lose your French if you just answer this one question in English!"
Here are some pictures of some of the English I have seen lately on signs etc...
Soo true!
Looks like I'm not the only one who messes up on my verb tenses
I think they mean Pizza and Pasta? Basta/ Pasta.... Potato/Potato
I think this is the Dirty Harry movie advertisement! Macho Callahan!!!
This eyeglasses shop is doing a play on Campbell's soup by putting Clermont on the cans - very clever EXCEPT French people have never seen a Campbell's soup can ... So I don't know if they will get it!
Hmmm- haven't you always wanted a straw hat that says SUMMER FOLK?!? Weird.
Ha!
And lastly, a great description of living as an ex-pat. This says "Living in Paris", but it applies to all of France as far as I am concerned!
