tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875928554208434261.post2981166923420567590..comments2024-03-22T02:56:29.105-07:00Comments on Renovation of a Derelict House in Brittany, France: Renovation project - new windows and more shopping - Monday 8th October 2012Jenny and John in Francehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17408328537999407648noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875928554208434261.post-17091506720267181452012-10-14T05:48:28.590-07:002012-10-14T05:48:28.590-07:00I am struggling a bit with the language, I can rea...I am struggling a bit with the language, I can read it reasonably well and understand quite well its the spoken word I have trouble with, think it is something to do with my northern accent!<br /><br />would love to be able to speak more than one language, never mind 2! ha ha Jenny and John in Francehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17408328537999407648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875928554208434261.post-13569536995386409652012-10-11T05:30:57.600-07:002012-10-11T05:30:57.600-07:00Your story reminds me of when I was last in Paris....Your story reminds me of when I was last in Paris. Our Parisian site MD was Italian. He specifically told me not to speak French to the locals but only to speak in English.<br /><br />He is converse in French but makes a point of replying in English. <br /><br />I tried not to chuckle as the locals spoke to him in French and he replied in English (with an Italian accent). They both understood each other but stubbornness won the day.The Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11648490535530731508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4875928554208434261.post-23153817663938553032012-10-10T04:21:21.639-07:002012-10-10T04:21:21.639-07:00Jenny - a tip. Never start a conversation by askin...Jenny - a tip. Never start a conversation by asking if anyone speaks English; they will say no even if they do. I always rehearse things I want to say (if its new) by using Google translate - it even speaks it for you. We have found that even stumbling French works and people become more helpful.<br /><br />However, there are some very rude people serving in some stores - usually the more 'downmarket' the worse. Our Carrefour is great as is SuperU and Leroy Merlin. LeClerc, Lidl, Castorama, Bricocash are much worse and very unhelpful at times - so I avoid them. After life in California this took some getting used to :)<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br />Davidrynd2ithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10695597239289697627noreply@blogger.com