Should I even attempt to learn French before going to Paris this summer?

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Muddy

It's a good idea to learn at least some basic expressions. While it's true that Parisians in particular can be a bit snobby, many of them will try to help you out with French when they see that you're making a sincere effort to speak their language. In my experience, they resent it if you don't.

Bonjour. (Hello.)
Au revoir. (Goodbye.)
Merci beaucoup. (Thank you very much.)
Au secours! (Help!)
Je m'appelle... (My name is...)
EnchantÃ©(e). (Pleased to meet you.)
C'est combien? (How much is it?)
L'addition, s'il vous plait. (Check, please.)
Quelle heure-est il? (What time is it?)
Je cherche ... (I'm looking for ...)
Ou sont les toilettes? (Where is the restroom? [It's always plural in French. La toilette is general grooming.])
S'il vous plait. (Please)
Ou se trouve... ? (Where is ... located?)
DÃ©solÃ©(e). (I'm sorry.)
Excusez-moi. (Excuse me.)
J'habite ... (I live in ...)
Je voudrais aller Ã ... (I would like to go to...)
Est-ce que c'est le bon chemin pour ... ? (Is this the right way to get to ...?)
Un mobilis pour zones ... Ã ... , s'il vous plait. (A mobilis for zones ... to ..., please. [For 9 euros you can get an all-day ticket for public transportation in the desired zone(s)-and don't be caught without the proper ticket, because there's a stiff on-the-spot penalty.])

pierrelandy

Well certainly French people are not the best in languages if you consider the whole of Europe. Now, chances are you will find more French people that speak English in Paris than you will find American people Spreaking French in New York.... So all in all, i think you should be fine! With regrd to rudeness, see i'm french and i responded to a fairly offensive question. ANd i took no offence!.. So all is good. Have a fabulous time in Paris! And enjoy France!

VERUSHKA80

I believe that you should learn at least the basic words in French. You should try learning how to say hello, excuse me and thank you among others useful words because in that way you can get around easier, plus you are showing your consideration for their language. If you at least try to say something Parisians will appreciate that and they will consider your effort. Every time I travel I try to at least learn the basic words of the language spoken by the country I am visiting.

magic621a

Parisians are not as rude as some people make them out to be. I've been to Paris twice, and speak very little French.

Try to learn a little French; some of the more important tourist questions, hello/goodbye, etc. In Paris, approach people and try out your French. They will immediately realize that you don't speak French, and they will then speak to you in English. They appreciate any effort you make in speaking French. If you simply begin speaking English to them, you will be treated somewhat differently. The effort makes all the difference.

ecurb25

I Have been there three times. I found everyone there very helpful. I've also heard that New Yorkers are rude but some of the best people I know are from NYC. I speak a little French but it takes me a long time to form my sentences. People were always happy to help me out with my French.
Any studying you can do will be of some sort. You probably won't be able to understand much when you get there but that is normal so don't feel bad if you can't.
I love France! I'm excited for you. Bon voyage!

cowboy_bebop_ed2000

don't speak english to them, they get angry. try your best at french and usually they won't be rude, they usually help you, as long as you try.

Princess Buttercup

Always learn key phrases when you travel somewhere. Hello, Goodbye, Thank You, Please, You're Welcome, Sorry/Excuse me, numbers to 20, left, right, and a selection of foods. Also, learn a way to ask for things like "Where is the ___ (bathroom, bank, Louvre, hospital, etc)". Learning transportation things will also help: airport, bus, train, gate, car, stop, etc.

If you try a little with language while in Paris, they will appreciate it immensely. It's all about the trying for them. To assume that everyone will speak English will pi$$ some people off and can be avoided with a little work. Have a great trip!

laughter_every_day

If you stick to the touristy areas you will find plenty of english speaking folks. When I was last in Paris I stayed in a working class neighborhood and found that my simple and halting french, coupled with gestures and pointing and such, was OK. I found it helpful to know a few common phrases. For instance, learn how to say "I am sorry but I don't speak French. English Only."

Rillifane

I've gone to Paris 18 times in the last in the last 35 years. More and more Frenchmen speak English every time I am there. I speak French fairly well however and I do find that people really appreciate it when you speak to them in their own language. I notice that even people who speak only a little French get a much better reception than those who don't make the effort.

Its not hard to learn just a few simple words and phrases. When you enter a cafe or a store say "Bonjour Monsieur (or Madame)." When you ask for something or place an order in a cafe add "s'il vous plait." When the waiter brings your order say "Merci."

Parisians are not rude. They are big city folk and all big city folk everywhere can seem rude especially if you're from a smaller city or town. I've made lots of friends in France and have always had a good time there and felt welcome wherever I went.

Ajescent

It wouldn't hurt to know a few things, I think it would be best to learn a few key phrases. Not many of them will speak english and will be insulted if you expect them to speak english.

zurg423

I'm an ex-pat living in Paris, and I've found that the French are much more polite during the tourist off-season, but even if it is the peak they will be much friendlier if you admit that you don't speak French well and at least try at first to speak French.
Phonetic sounds for phrases:
Juhn puh parl fran-say. Juh swee desolay (I don't speak French. I'm sorry)
Juh voo-dray ---- (I would like ----)

You will run into some very friendly Parisians but also some rude ones. But make an effort, and they will appreciate it.

gooberbudi

Its a no win situation my friend. They get pissed if you speak english and they get even more pissed when you dissect their language. Stick with english. Besides, if english classes are becoming the norm in 3 rd world countries, why not france? Also, a few got upset when I asked if they spoke english before i even tried to ask my question. In my opinion, try talking english first.

Invammocon

Yes you should learn to speak French befor you go to Paris this summer because if you don't you will probably feal pretty stupid when you can't talk to any one.

Lexi

The French Rude, Mais Non!
You should learn some basic french before you go. The french will become angrier if you speak no french at all rather then some bad french.
Some of the younger ones do know some English. Some of them will want to practice English on you.
Its the same if they were to come over here. You would want them to know some English.

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