Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!lll-lcc!vecpyr!amd!amdcad!decwrl!ucbvax!ernie!mazlack
From: mazlack@ernie.BERKELEY.EDU (Lawrence J. &)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re:  Paris, France
Message-ID: <11025@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Tue, 19-Nov-85 16:30:22 EST
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.11025
Posted: Tue Nov 19 16:30:22 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 23-Nov-85 10:01:27 EST
References: <540@brl-sem.ARPA>
Sender: usenet@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: mazlack@ernie.UUCP (Lawrence J. Mazlack)
Distribution: net
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Lines: 40

>Lots of misinformation about France has appeared here recently.  My
>experience is that you'll find what you expect.  If you make a
>reasonable attempt to make yourself understood, French people will meet
>you more than halfway.  Remember, in France as in most European
>countries, nearly everyone born since 1945 has studied English for
>several years.
>
>Further, I found the French to be warm and friendly and generally not
>anti-American.  

For the most part, I definately agree.  

I have been spending 2-3 months/year in Europe for the last 15 years. (Almost
anyone can do this, if you are willing to give up the income.)  My language
skills are pretty marginal - a little French, a little German, a little
Spanish (little means little, less than 100 words).

I love Paris, it is a great place!  I suspect that the people who have troubles
there have trouble because of American arrogance.  Many Americans (not
Canadians), assume that (1) they are God's gift to the rest of the world,
(2) all that is important in the world is money, (3) cultural values are
of low importance, and (4) English is (or should be) spoken by all.  They
often tend to view their relationships with others in this framework.  In
my view, they should stay home and watch Dallas.

Otherwise, when they get to Paris, they will find that their arrogance causes
French arrogance in response.  And the French know how to be arrogant.

Actually, it isn't only the French who don't accept the American (items 1..4)
of the world, quite a lot of others don't.  But, others tend to ignore
the American pretensions, where the French (especially the Parisians), twist
it around and bounce it right back.

I do agree with the suggestion of avoiding extended discussions using poor
French in Paris.  Try English first - many shop keepers understand it.
However, if you try French first, they may insist that you pronounce it
reasonably correctly before understanding.  Use a dictionary to figure out
menues.
  ...Larry Mazlack MAZLACK@ERNIE.BERKELEY.EDU