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 | Paris Parlez vous francais? Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 116 |  |
 | |  |  | Parlez vous francais?: If you don't speak Français... | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
Here are a few useful phrases and sentences that may be helpful if you're visiting Paris:
1. Quelle heure est-il? = What time is it?
2. Je voudrais___s'il vous plait. = I would like___please.
3. Je prends un chocolat chaud = I'll have a hot chocolat
4. Ca coute combien? = How much does this cost?
5. Vous fermez a quelle heure? = What time do you close at?
6. Parlez-vous anglais? = Do you speak English?
7. Prenez vous des cartes de credit? = Do you accept credit cards?
8. Je ne comprends pas = I don't understand
9. Combien = How much
10. Aujourd'hui, demain, hier = Today, tomorrow, yesterday
11. Comment allez-vous = How are you?
12. Merci, pardon, excusez-moi = Thank you, pardon me, excuse me
If you really think you want to learn French, I would recommend the "10 Minutes a Day Series." It helped me learn German, when I bought the German version. They come with stickers, flashcards, and are very easy to learn from. You can buy them at any Chapters, and in most bookstores. They're available in several differnt languages. They cost just under $20 CAN. If you want to order one, here are the numbers. You can also visit their website. Leave a Comment Phone: 1-(800)-488-5068Website: www.bilingualbooks.org Other Contact: 1-(206)-284-4211
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| | | | Parlez vous francais?: The key sentence | Tip Rating: | | | | |
My French is horrible, but I've never been subjected to the alleged rudeness of Parisians.
I've found that there's a sentence that unlocks French friendliness:
"Excusez moi, j'ai un problem>."
When they say, "Oui?"
I say, "En Englais, s'il vous plait?"
They say, "Oui"
And we move forward in English.
I'm not even sure that the grammar (gender etc) is correct, but it's always worked.
In fact, I tested it once in Bon Marche. The first time I used the phrase, and the help was immediate and friendly.
The second time, I just said, "Bonjour" and then, "Je ne parle pas Francais..." and there was a distinct difference. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Parlez vous francais?: Bonjour! | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
How polite you are in French to Parisians will most likely determine how polite and helpful they are to you.
Every time you encounter someone you meet or do business/pleasure with, begin the conversation with "Bonjour" and when your conversation is finished and you are ready to leave, end the conversation with either "Merci. Au revoir, monsieur." or a less formal "Merci, bonjour."
"Bon soir " if the sun has gone down..
It doesn't matter if you just saw or spoke to that person half an hour ago.... do it every time.
Everyone except intimate/close friends is to be addressed formally as "Madame, Monsieur, vous", etc.)
Please (sil vous plait ) and thanks (merci ) cannot be over-used.
I try never to initiate a conversation in Paris without first saying:
"Excusez-moi de vous deranger" ("Excuse me for bothering you")
and I almost never fail to actually get giggles, even hugs, and lots of extra warmth, help & attention when I tell someone who assists me how kind/pleasant/helpful
"Vous etes tres aimable"
or how kind/nice they are (if they really go out of their way for me):
"Merci, c'est tre gentil de votre part. "
Granted the usage above is my terrible french, but even the most tourist-hardened Parisian citizens and merchants seem to melt & "light up" just because of the effort.
Using polite, formal conversation seasoned with lots of sil vous plaits and mercis will grease the wheels greatly for you.
Here are some excellent videos
that literally spoonfeed you all you need to know.
If you practice the phrases listed at the video link above or the website below on this tip, I think you will find out how truly polite, helpful, and special Parisians are.
Bonne chance! Leave a Comment Website: http://www.smartphrase.com/French/french.shtml
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