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MacG · 03-02-2012, 07:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alecadi

Sorry but you can say "au revoir" and be back in a couple of hour
if you say "adieu" you're not supposed to come back soon
BUT in some places in southwest France you can say "adieu" in stead of "bonjour" !!!!

I am from the southwest. I just wrote what is common. And definitely not adieu for a bonjour.

**GordMay** · 03-02-2012, 07:37

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Greenhand · 03-02-2012, 07:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alecadi

Quite true , I've been in the USA for more than 30 years and a US citizen by now but I'm always taken back by people addressing me directly without: Good morning, hello or excuse me" before asking some thing
It's cultural and profoundly in the subconcious

They should be doing it in the US, as well. Administrative Assistants dote on me because I take the few extra seconds to greet them before making my requests. Sometimes, I even greet them when I don't want anything from them. Can't tell you how many store clerks and waitstaff have brightened up a little because I looked them in the eye, too. Sorry, I started out in the Midwest, where these things were expected.

**Hud3** · 03-02-2012, 09:53

Greeting someone before launching into your business is the polite thing to do on all the islands in the Lesser Antilles, not just the French islands. You'd be amazed at what a little, "Good afternoon, how are you?" will do.

anjou · 03-02-2012, 10:28

Seems to me that you Yankies have something about people who Parlez Francais, dont matter none if they is in the Carib or the Whitehouse.

Way things is a goin, I recon you might as well start a learnin Chinese cos thems the ones to worry about.

sailcruiser · 03-02-2012, 11:11

My approach to this dilemma is pretty simple. I'm armed with a phrase book and/or app. I expect to muddle through whatever language is spoken in the country I'm visiting. If they speak English usually they come out and say so while I stumble through their language. I never expect anyone to speak English unless I'm in a native English speaking country. I am American and do my best to dispel the expectation that we are all egomaniacal a-holes. When I leave home my motto is 'their country, their rules'. I expect the same of visitors to my country. I've found somewhat of a double standard there though. It's a bit depressing. SC

s/vPainkiller · 03-02-2012, 11:20

Oh sure, I always make an attempt to communicate in the local language where ever I am. My point was that we, as English speakers, are fortunate in that many people in other non-English countries already speak our language. So it's usually not a problem even if I can't communicate in their language.

Anjou, I *hope* we never have a French speaker in the WH....

Scott

barnakiel · 03-02-2012, 16:05

Do not worry in the least: smile a lot, say Bonjour, Merci, Au Revoire (in respective situations ;-)) and you are fine.

Martinique is very nice. I am sure you will like it there.

b.

goboatingnow · 03-02-2012, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/vPainkiller

Anjou, I *hope* we never have a French speaker in the WH....

Scott

What a strange point of view

Dave

David_Old_Jersey · 04-02-2012, 02:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by s/vPainkiller

Anjou, I *hope* we never have a French speaker in the WH....

Scott

Although I do understand who are you talking about (and it's not the one who speaks Indonesian

)........the US has already had half a dozen Presidents who could speak French.

AKMark · 04-02-2012, 09:48

We just got back from Martinique a couple of days ago. We speak no French, but as multiple posters said, just learn a few of the key phrases and never walk up to someone 'expecting' them to speak English. Smiling and pantomimes worked well for us. Great place and pretty much everyone we met was very nice, english speaking or not.

The big Carnival is happening in Fort De France in the next two weeks, I think. We saw the rehearsal parades through the streets of FDF last weekend and they were awesome. So much color, music, and good vibes.