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Can you get by with English in France?

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I heard that French people use English very reluctantly.. And some friedns told me they even pretend that they dont know the language at all!.. Unfortunately, I do not speak French (can say hello/goodbye and can you help me - that's about it).. Is it true?

Travel Tips

I'm French so I can answer that

One of our problem is that our school system about languages isnot that good, so many people are not able to speak English after they graduate (but then how many people do you know in the US who can speak, and I do not mean like a robot, but can fllow a conversation, another languages just from school classes?)

But more and more people understand English and can speak it, or at least manage to make their point (hey here I am, right?). It is not hopeless. Or you can find people in the street completely able to answer you as well.

Now what I strongly recommend you is first to borrow an English/French dictionnary from your public library, and second to learn at least "Bonjour", "merci", "au revoir", Also maybe to begin to ask if the person speak English without asssuming, we completely hate that. Ask yourself, what would you feel if a French person comes to you where you live and begin to ask you questions in French.

But do not worr, you'll do fine ;) Source(s): I live in Paris, and work in the tourism business

Other Travel Tips
Easy, don't speak
yes just talk louder
Most countries have English as a second language. As long as you make an attempt to try to speak theirs, they won't treat you like an ignorant American.
Yes, it is reasonably true. After all, they are French. You are the visitor and it is down to you to learn the language of the country you are going to visit. That said, if you make at least a passing effort to speak their language, most French people will then gladly help you along (if only to stop you murdering their language). Try and make the effort to learn a bit more before you go and s someone has already said, you won't be treated as a pig ignorant tourist!
I Swear it is not true, if people can help they will.
Of course you will always find jerks hanging around there and there, but please don't think we are all the same ;)

You do not have to speak french when you go to france or italian when you go to Italy,

Let say you can speak french and there is a french guy lost in NY or London would you help him ?