FRIDAYS IN FRANCE: FORGET WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD ABOUT FRANCE…

Posted by Lori~

Steve, Murray, and I have now been in Nice, France for three weeks!  And it has been AMAZING!

I am going to say it, I was nervous.  I had heard the stories of how French don’t like Americans because of our limited French speaking abilities.  I came here knowing maybe three words.

But I found immediately, that if you put in a little effort (attempt to speak it), they like it.  Give them a smile and they will serve you well. 

These are our French host parents and they are SUPER NICE!  
They have been helping us a lot with our "french".

Let’s put ourselves in their shoes for once.  Could you imagine if a Chinese speaking transplant started talking to you in Chinese in the US.  We would look at them, like they are CRAZY (unless you know Chinese)!  Well, the same thing goes both ways.  We are not superior and our language should not be either.

This is the Cannes Mayor being interviewed by our student journalists.  He was SUPER NICE!

...and a French Serviceman.  He was nice too!

So here’s a mini French lesson for you.  I spell it, like I say it (this is NOT PROPER FRENCH), but this lesson will get you by if you plan to visit.

BONJOUR:  HELLO

EXCUSE-EA MOI:  EXCUSE ME

PAR-DOANE:  PARDON/EXCUSE ME

JEY-VA-DRAY:  I WOULD LIKE

CAFE LATTE:  LATTE COFFEE

DAH LOW:  SOME WATER

SEE VOU PLAY:  PLEASE

AR-E-VWA:  GOODBYE

TWAW-LETTE:  TOILETTE

VER:  GLASS

UN BOTAY:  BOTTLE

PAR-LEI-VOU-ANGLAIS:  DO YOU SPEAK ENGLISH?

SA-VAH:  HOW ARE YOU? 

SA-VAH BIEN:  I AM GOOD

JE-MA-PAL:  I AM CALLED

JASWEES ZAMERIAN:  I AM AMERICAN

I actually have a friend that will be visiting the area very soon and I gave her this very listing.  I keep it in my cell phone notes and use it as a reference when needed.

Remember, a smile and effort goes a long way.  Don’t be afraid of travel and culture…trust me, it has been 100% worth it.  I AM LOVING IT!