The French are language perfectionists.They often speak more English than they let on.This isn't a tourist baiting tactic,they are just hesitant to speak a language less than fluently.If you don't speak French,bring a phrase book and a good supply of patience. Learn and use the basic vocabulary of politeness. Bonjour, merci,pardon,S'il vous plait (please)and sprinkle in a lot of Madames and Monsieurs.
We non-French-speaking travellers should start every conversation by politely asking do you speak English "Parlez vous anglais?".If the answer is no,then do your best in their language. After a couple of sentences of my French, many locals would admit actually I do speak some English.
Why travel all the way to France and expect things to be the way they're at home? Enjoy the differences, sometimes they are frustrating, but as they like to say here Viva la difference. One of the benefits of travel is coming face-to-face with logical,civil and sometimes even better alternatives to our own ways. As I see it ,we're travelling through Europe to be open-minded, not to judge, but to absorb,accept and to learn.
And with that thought we say goodbye to Paris. I love this place, it's a city that can teach us all something about the art of fine living. I learn more with each visit. I'll never tire of Paris, Sainte Chapelle,the Left Bank, Village Paris along Louclair, Chateau Chantilly, Cafe Olay,Montmartre, this won't be my last visit.
I hope you've enjoyed our look at offbeat Paris. Join us next week, when we cross the channel to London, where we'll do some brass rubbing and some pub grubbing, take a city walking tour,make a surprise appearance at Speaker's Corner and side trip out to Salisbury Cathedral and salty seafaring Greenwich.Till then ,I'm Rick Steves, wishing you happy travels. Au revoir(byebye)Home videos of destinations in this series are available for 24.95. To order the 80-minute, three-program tape on Amsterdam,Paris and London or any of the other destinations tapes, call 18008667425.Also available, Rick's 420-page Where to GO and How to Travel guidebook for 17.95. To order,please have your credit card ready and call 18008667425. |