My first trip to Paris at age 69 with my husband (who learned to cook there as a visiting teen) was a revelation. I had no idea how fluent he was and I’m not sure he did either. But me? Just those two years of HS French backing me up like you. I nodded a lot and said, absolut, je suis d’accord, tres bien whenever I hit a lull, which was every other word. It worked out just fine though because my guy loves to chatter away with friends he hasn’t met yet, and the French seemed to enjoy his bonhomie. But they did not offer to speak English.
Italians, on the other hand, were quite keen to practice their English. Especially the further we got away from the cities which surprised me as I thought the opposite would be true.
It was actually easier to understand French than the English I heard in Italy but that’s likely on me. 😉
Simply a delight. Loved reading your latest Kamille.
Thank you so much!! So glad you enjoyed it 😌
Thiefaine, good chanteur.
https://youtu.be/7WBm02q9i_k?si=1xJqqDkF0Lt76HFe
Every day before bedtime I look forward for your substack..
My first trip to Paris at age 69 with my husband (who learned to cook there as a visiting teen) was a revelation. I had no idea how fluent he was and I’m not sure he did either. But me? Just those two years of HS French backing me up like you. I nodded a lot and said, absolut, je suis d’accord, tres bien whenever I hit a lull, which was every other word. It worked out just fine though because my guy loves to chatter away with friends he hasn’t met yet, and the French seemed to enjoy his bonhomie. But they did not offer to speak English.
Italians, on the other hand, were quite keen to practice their English. Especially the further we got away from the cities which surprised me as I thought the opposite would be true.
It was actually easier to understand French than the English I heard in Italy but that’s likely on me. 😉