Two weeks from today I will be en route to Paris. Seeing as I’ll be spending three weeks in Europe, traveling via cheap airlines and the Eurail, I did not want to have to bring along my large suitcase. So, about a week ago I called Charles De-Gaulle airport to find out what my options were.
Now, knowing that I’ll be in France, I picked up a traveler’s guide to speaking the language while I was waiting to board my plane in Europe. Trying to put it to use, I asked the man who answered the phone, ‘parlezvous anglais?’
‘Yes, I speak English,’ the man answered in an oh-so-French accent.
He proceeded to explain that there is a service allowing me to store my suitcase at the airport for a fee. After getting all the details, it was time to thank him and get on to other things.
‘Bonjour,’ I said and hung up.
For those of you not fluent in French, I told him ‘hello’ at the end of our conversation. But really, most people know ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ in a language.
I’m doomed. And also fairly certain that I’ll have many more flubs like this in my near future because it’s not just basic French I need to know. I’m also going to Italy and Germany, so I have a feeling I’ll be fumbling between the three, German being my strong point.
Oh well! Hopefully it will provide you some entertainment and I have no reason to be upset if that’s my biggest concern.
Aloha! (Thankfully a word that bids both hello and adieu)
I agree. Trying to speak another language is half the battle. No one learns without making mistakes along the way. You fell when you first tried walking. You thought your name was “you” when first learning the language. Life is a lot of trial and error. Taking the risk is only the beginning…. Love you. Live in the moment…be it good or bad. Mom
Just an FYI for you on English in Europe…I traveled to a few cities in Germany and most everyone knew English…it was not hard at all to ask for help when lost and I ran into a lot of people who would at least find me help when they couldn’t…If you are just going to Paris in France and no smaller cities, you will be okay because of how much of a tourist-based city it is. Italy was the country in which I had the hardest time. If you are just going to Rome, you should be okay….but traveling outside of Rome was tough to find people fluent in English. Good luck though and enjoy your European adventure!
Thanks Meg! That’s all good to know [: I’ve been to Germany one other time and I’ll be with family there, so I should be fine. Plus I know ein bissen Deutsch. haha As for Italy and France, it’s going to be interesting! Hope all is well with you.
“Je suis désolé, je suis américaine, je ne parle pas français” Sorry, I’m american, I don’t speak french — this may not have been perfectly written… 5 yrs in french & i barely know anything. but hopefully that’s helpful — so excited for you!! i would say “Je suis excité” but according to my french professors it has sexual connotations…
hahah thanks for the help!