I always communicate in French with utility companies etc in France. My French is not bad though not error-free, and I struggle (and give up!) to include the accents on an English keyboard, so it looks like there are more faults than there really are.
On the most recent occasion, I got a reply in French, with a PS in English "Don't hesitate to write the answer in English if you prefer.' The same thing has happened in shops.
What do others do in such circumstances?! Is it churlish to reply in French when invited to speak English?
(I wonder how many water companies in England would invite a French person to reply in French....!)
It is very commendable that the French are beginning to realise the need to use English as the Brits use Urdu and loads of other languages (irony here). However, if at all possible you should use French. Because it is part of a learning process. And because it is essential to speak the language of the country you adopt/move to/wanna spend time in. Otherwise you will always be an ethnic (in the linguistic sense) minority and a poor relation and an outsider and condemned to life outside or worse, in a Brit ghetto.
So Helen, thank them in French and keep persevering if you can.
Helen wrote: My French is not bad though not error-free, and I struggle (and give up!) to include the accents on an English keyboard, so it looks like there are more faults than there really are.
I do just the same......... Now I realize maybe I shouldn't.
When British people speak French to me ( in France) and really try hard , I sometimes say they can speak English if they find it more comfortable, because I understand..
And now I feel guilty, I realize it is not right.
Thanks for posting this, helps me think about it .
Thanks for the link to the french accented letters - a great help! I agree about sticking to French and will continue to do so (apart from the fact that I think it's simply good manners to speak French in France, I need the practice!). But the offer from Veolia was very well intentioned and made me feel like I was getting excellent service from them, so no need to feel guilty Frenchie!
I have a similar problem with our vet!
Every time I speak in French he wants to speak English.
He is rather dishy so I'm already at a disadvantage if you know what I mean
Jacqui Too wrote:I have a similar problem with our vet! Every time I speak in French he wants to speak English.
Judith wrote: , but often I find they actually have less English than I have French. Doctors, vets,
, but often I find they actually have less English than I have French. Doctors, vets,
Well I cannot wait to be in that position. I always speak in French to people and feel quite frustrated when they answer me in English. Is it because my French is utterly *** and they feel sorry for me or are they stealing my thunder in trying to get a free English lesson for themselves?
Anyway, I must persevere to improve.
Another thing, I was told by a French colleague that when I speak French, I could be from anywhere in the world and that I don't sound at all English. I don't really know what to make of that either.
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