Do I attempt to speak French or just speak English while visiting Paris?

Question

I'm staying in Paris on vacation and my French is very limited (to say the least). I had heard that as long as you make an attempt to speak French that they will be more appreciative and perhaps nicer to you--but it seems like if I try to speak French, they just find my attempts humorous and if I just start off speaking English they are less attentive or downright rude.

Answer 1

Definitely use your french skills, even if limited. To my suprise, most people I ran into in Paris could barely say a word in English.

I think the "rudeness" of French people is largely a myth. As long as you don't show up being arrogant or demanding, etc., they are very welcoming to the tourists of their beautiful city.

I hope that helps. Good luck, and bon voyage!

Answer 2

Many French will find your poor take of French amusing, and you’ll enjoy much sympathy in return, in many cases. Now, be aware that French feelings about American are somewhat ambiguous. Most Frenchies have a love/hate feeling about the United States and American people.

Otherwise you’ll find useful tips, observations and recommendations in reading my (long) answer to a previous post titled “Basic rules of survival in France ???”

Below is the link to the aforesaid:

Answer 3

I'd attempt to speak French to a French person, since they will have great difficulty communicating with you if they can't understand you.

Answer 4

if you are not fluid in french, do use some words you know at any time just to get accustomed to the french language,and you will learn more that way:-)
yes, people will make an effort, i do in my city in France, every day i see people from everywhere, and yes, i try my best to listen to them, even tough their french is poor, it is a matter of welcome and,no, i am not rude to strangers who do not speak french, or any language for this matter.

Answer 5

try to talk in french.if you talk in English,even if they answer to you in English,90%you will not understand the answer.
so,talk in french and tell them that you speak a little bit of french,and the results will be better!

Answer 6

yeah well, its better if they are humorous rather than downright rude!

i think it would be a better idea to try and speak their language. as the saying goes, when in rome, do as rome does. shows that u are not indiffrent to them, and are not shunning away their culture. and i bet they would be more willing to help u then

Answer 7

if someone comes up to you and start talking a dialect from India would you give him what he says or you gone say excusemua !! i don't know what the heck you talking about ?? and walk a way?? of course you have to try something in their language first !! have a good time France is beautiful !!

Answer 8

Considering the French are ignorant and damn rude, I'd give them a taste of their own medicine. Just speak English! They tend to speak French, here in London, when they gather in large crowds and force people to walk into the road and they tend to speak a load of French garbage when they jump the bus queues as well as make as much noise, in French, as they can on the Underground. Be "Loud and Proud", be ignorant and pretend you cannot understand them, just as they do here. I hate it when people say, "excuse me", in an attempt to get past the crowd without risking their lives in the road and the French just look at them like docile animals before insulting them in French.