How is it that after being taught french at school for more than 2 years myself and millions of others can barely ask for a beer?
thick ???
or just not trying hard enough.
you could blame the english teaching system for that!
Dunno... I managed to stay awake long enough to get a degree in it. Both my sisters and my sister-in-law speak good French. My mum's French is lousy but functional, but in the 1930's when she was at school they didn't expect ordinary kids like her to ever speak to a French person. My kid's in the top group for French and German. My family can't just have hit on a secret enclave of good teachers. Oh, and my neighbour's French is pretty good too, as she was inspired by an exchange visit when she was a teenager.
I think the teaching's much better these days, but as a nation we do seem to have got a complex about languages. Either we're too shy to try or too arrogant to bother. And the sad thing is, you don't have to be brainy to learn a language, it's not an intelligence-related skill, more like driving a car really.
<ok, I'll get off my soap box now>
Liz
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i didnt take french at school and now i regret it. i can usually make myself understood with the basics of booking a pitch and made myself understood when our car broke down in avignon 2 years ago.
if the french see you are trying to converse in their language then they are very patient in my experience.
I think there's a fair amount of tounge firmly placed in cheek with Sariahtea's posts, please don't take offence. I live here in France, we run a campsite here as well as gites & a B&B operation too. We meet allsorts. We meet folk just passing through and we meet confirmed, died in the wool Francophiles. There's room for all. I'm sure that if Sariahtea came to the Loire for a holiday she'd soon see how the French are no different to anyone else on the planet, in fact, alot more tolerant than most! We've been accepted here after over a year of running our business and that includes being invited to French homes to spend time with French families doing French things!
Vive la France, vive la difference!
Sorry but I cant stand it when people come to an opinion on an entire race based on being stupid and unlucky....
I have been to france on a number of occasions both with work and on holiday and find the French to be wonderful people, I have been told its partly because of the "auld alliance" and the celtic connection, me being a Scot 'n' all, but I feel its more down to me being open minded to different cultures and I think I amuse them with my very poor schoolboy french....
You hit the nail squarly on the head "vive la difference"
Could someone please suggest a quiet site with not too much traveling involved (2 hrs ish) from the port. We have 3 small children under 6 and would love to try France as I have yet to hear of anyone having a negative experience. We would prefer a quiet family site that has good clean facilities away from any busy roads.
We live in West Wales so would probably leave from Portsmouth/Plymouth maybe.
I would be really gratefull for any suggestions.
Thank you
Nicola
Try Camping le Baie, Trinite sur Mer, Nr Carnac, Southern Brittany. Ferry from Plymouth to Roscoff then about two hours south from there. It'll probably take you longer from South Wales to Plymouth than it will from Roscoff to the site!
Great site with good size pitches, nice swimming pool and play area and literally just across a small quiet road to a lovely beach. Nice restaurant cum bar cum cafe there as well. We were there in june and it was really smashing. Have booked to go back there next year.
There is a web site but can't give it you just now as the room where it's in is currently being decorated and I can't get to the drawer. Sorry about that. Just enter Camping le Baie in your browser and it should come up.
Vic
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
we have just returned from a camping holiday in spain, although we used a coachholiday company and stayed in one of their lodges on the campsite , we have done this for the last 4 yrs, We travel through france and stop at alot of the services on the way,
I have to say france is like any other country , including this one , you come across some very nice people , but also some very rude ones ,doesnt matter what nationality they are, e.g , at one place we stopped at for a meal break, my hubby stood in a que for some snacks, he was stood at the front of the que for at least 5 mins while he was ignored by the staff who served all the french people behind him, needless to say he walked out without his sarnies, but other places we stopped at they couldn't have been more friendly .
We enjoyed it very much also. I live in N.Ireland but I am off to visit my sister in St. Davids for a week next Monday. It is a lovely part of the world.
We (3 children 2 adults) camped in France and took our two Mini's with us one was a 1969 Cooper 998cc and the other was 1980 Clubman estate 998cc to the south just outside Mimizan in the Landes area covering over 2000 miles. This was the biggest ice breaker ever ,lots of french and other nationals stopped and chatted to us about the cars as alot of french are very keen on classic cars and the Mini is one of there favorite.I would move to France yesterday they are wonderful people .
The French are without doubt one of the friendliest nations I have ever come across. If you even attempt their language, no matter how bad you are, it makes a huge difference.
we have just returned from a camping holiday in spain, although we used a coachholiday company and stayed in one of their lodges on the campsite , we have done this for the last 4 yrs, We travel through france and stop at alot of the services on the way,
I have to say france is like any other country , including this one , you come across some very nice people , but also some very rude ones ,doesnt matter what nationality they are, e.g , at one place we stopped at for a meal break, my hubby stood in a que for some snacks, he was stood at the front of the que for at least 5 mins while he was ignored by the staff who served all the french people behind him, needless to say he walked out without his sarnies, but other places we stopped at they couldn't have been more friendly .
They might well do that if he was just standing there. The French are very big on greeting each other & if you just stand there they might well think that's all you're doing. A firm and friendly "bonjour" usually does the trick.
Once upon a time i wouldve felt the same but i agree with the majority here if you try and speak the language you get along fine, i have meet some awkward french but the majority have been helpful just because they have there national pride and truly believe that you should try and speak the language doesnt mean that they are wrong, i feel relaxed in france they believe that local produce is the best and that foods in france is the best and i wouldnt disagree, look at it from there point of view and you might see a different prospective. and if you are not willing to try then stay in this country, if your alternator goes then the english will rip you off.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: avoid the french
