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Traveling to a non-english speaking country
DH and I have a small trip booked to Paris in January. My concern is that we know NO french and I am afraid that it might be a problem getting around. We are going through this company that is running a school trip (through DH's job) that we have going in April to the UK/Ireland so they have tours and stuff booked. But is now knowing the language a big problem? I plan on buying a french to english dictionary and learning a little..
Thoughts??
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Posted 9/14/06 6:43 PM  |
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baghag
:P
Member since 5/05 10278 total posts
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
I don't speak any French, and we got around just fine. Their train is really easy to use, too.
That being said the effort to speak French was appreciated, even when we bungled it.
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| Posted 9/14/06 7:25 PM |
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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3
Member since 1/06 19197 total posts
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Michelle
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
I think if you know the staples you'll be okay, I was in Paris years ago and was fine. DH and I are going in November
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| Posted 9/14/06 8:51 PM |
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
Posted by baghag
I don't speak any French, and we got around just fine. Their train is really easy to use, too.
That being said the effort to speak French was appreciated, even when we bungled it.
Agreed! I wrote down a few catch phrases and got around using those just fine.
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| Posted 9/14/06 9:12 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
As long as you can say the basics and make an effort, you will be fine! Please, thank you, excuse me, how much, where is...etc etc
We went to Japan a few years ago and only knew those basic phrases and we got a long just fine!
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| Posted 9/14/06 10:37 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
There are some great very small pocket size phrase books/dictionary for some basic things. I always pick one up when I travel and find them to be very helpful.
It will be very helpful to have if you plan on taking taxi's etc. While many people do speak english I would not assume that they do - it would help if you had a book and made an attempt to try - you will find if you attempt to speak french that many will be much more helpful and might even help you in English.
You don't need to know much - just things like- please, thank you, please take me to, I would like, and that sort of thing.
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| Posted 9/15/06 7:19 AM |
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
thanks for the responses ladies!
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| Posted 9/15/06 11:06 AM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
I would say that in France especially, you should make the effort to speak a little teeny bit of French, they will be much nicer to you if you try!!
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| Posted 9/15/06 11:22 AM |
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
Posted by racheeeee
I would say that in France especially, you should make the effort to speak a little teeny bit of French, they will be much nicer to you if you try!!
I am going to try. I would feel very ignorant if I at least didnt try to speak it. I will be happier when I go to the UK and dont have to worry about it!
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| Posted 9/15/06 12:32 PM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
I spent a month travelling Europe and didn't speak many of the languages, but I didn't find it to be a problem
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| Posted 9/15/06 2:24 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
Posted by dottiemchugh
Posted by racheeeee
I would say that in France especially, you should make the effort to speak a little teeny bit of French, they will be much nicer to you if you try!!
I am going to try. I would feel very ignorant if I at least didnt try to speak it. I will be happier when I go to the UK and dont have to worry about it!
Ooh I don't know about that! Those Brits speak a language that no one understands!! Are you going to stay in London?
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| Posted 9/15/06 9:02 PM |
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CunningOne
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Member since 5/05 26975 total posts
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
We spent two weeks in Spain on our honeymoon and neither of us know Spanish. We found that the Spanish know English very well. and a lot of the things like menus were printed in English as well. I don't know if its the same in France, but you may be surprised at how easy it is.
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| Posted 9/16/06 12:16 AM |
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mrsmck
Be a big girl!
Member since 5/05 4898 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
I was there a few years ago and tried to learn basic phrases like please, thank you, where is...(fill in the blank). I agree with the other posters that making the attempt is appreciated, and most Parisians will answer you in English. I carried a map all the time, and when asking someone for directions, pointed to where I wanted to go.
bon Voyage!!!!
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| Posted 9/16/06 7:27 AM |
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mommy2Alex
3 babies for me :)
Member since 5/05 6683 total posts
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
Posted by mrsmck
I was there a few years ago and tried to learn basic phrases like please, thank you, where is...(fill in the blank). I agree with the other posters that making the attempt is appreciated, and most Parisians will answer you in English. I carried a map all the time, and when asking someone for directions, pointed to where I wanted to go.
bon Voyage!!!!
I agree with this as well. I have been to Paris 3x and love it. Get the Rick Steve's French/English Dictionary it is very helpful and user friendly. Also, if you want any recommendations I have a few favorite restaurants. Have fun!
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| Posted 9/17/06 12:54 PM |
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Re: Traveling to a non-english speaking country
Posted by racheeeee
Posted by dottiemchugh
Posted by racheeeee
I would say that in France especially, you should make the effort to speak a little teeny bit of French, they will be much nicer to you if you try!!
I am going to try. I would feel very ignorant if I at least didnt try to speak it. I will be happier when I go to the UK and dont have to worry about it!
Ooh I don't know about that! Those Brits speak a language that no one understands!! Are you going to stay in London?
Yes.. but I am not sure where. I know we will be in London but I don't know for how long. Its a school trip that DH is running and I am one of the chaperones. Its going to be exhausting watching after 17 year olds but its free so I am not complaining. We arrive in Dublin first and then make our way to England.
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| Posted 9/17/06 8:18 PM |
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