Comments on: Moving to France

By: Un nouvel chapitre | etnobofin

Un nouvel chapitre | etnobofin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:10:27 +0000

[...] makes me feel fortunate, and just a little proud that I’ve taken the next step along the journey I outlined earlier in the [...]

By: klari

klari — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:58:51 +0000

Right !

Anyway, I think you’ll understand much more than 50% of what’s being said around you. As for Charlie-Hebdo jokes, that might be harder though, I still miss some. I prefer the Canard Enchaîné, anyway. (http://www.amazon.fr/Canard-Enchain%C3%A9-V%C3%A8me-R%C3%A9publique-Dessins/dp/2352040701 )

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:07:39 +0000

@klari, OK I will defer to your far greater experience and judgement. But in my experience, there are certain gestures and habits that the French have that don’t exist (or don’t have equivalents) in English

By: Rushan

Rushan — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:56:46 +0000

Blessings for the move, Richard. Travel safely and send us your new address etc.

By: klari

klari — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:20:04 +0000

Nononono.
French people do not talk with their hands. Sometimes the hands move independently while they talk, that’s all.

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:20:44 +0000

@klari, I’m just teasing. But it’s true that French people use their hands more when they talk than “northern Europeans” or “anglo-saxons”.

By: klari

klari — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:48:33 +0000

Well, that’s going to be interesting !

(what’s this B.S. with French people drinking Volvic and talking with their hands???)

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:42:49 +0000

Thanks for the comments guys

@carol, yes I think I’ve got the southern accent sussed – many hours wasted watching Jean de Florette etc, (although that’s Provençal rather than Languedocien). It’ll be a change from the Alsatian accent that I learnt, anyway. All part of the fun.

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:19:30 +0000

Oh and that reminds me, are you ready for the weird southern accent?
…je voudrais du peng… où est la salle de beng?…

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:14:02 +0000

Coolio! My French exchange (1988 – ?) was to Lunel mear Montpellier. I remember sitting on the edge of that fountain in the Place de la Comédie, discussing French McDonalds and what our exchange homes were like. Important things when you are 15.
Whenever I want to speak French I push my lips out a bit (like I’m going to say “bah, je sais pas”). It helps. That and the hands.
Hope you have a great experience, not too much frustrating bureaucracy and lots of spring sunshine.