Living in France : Talking with your hands

GESTURES
It is a well-known fact that the French, like the Italians and Spanish, speak with their hands! Sometimes, it looks strange for those coming from an Anglo Saxon culture.

But, in France, shaking somebody’s hand when meeting is very polite. This will often happen between men especially in companies. Of course, you will not shake the hand of a young child. You will kiss him.

EXPRESSIVENESS
Do observe the face and expressions of the French when talking and you might already have the reply to your question!! In everyday life, the French are very expressive and you can read their emotions on their face very easily. However, in an official meeting, one has to control oneself!

You will also notice (if you haven’t already done so!) that when there is a language problem the French will often be very patient to help you out and understand you.
If you make a mistake in a conversation, they will often look at you, smile and give you the right reply: not because they want to “correct” you but because they want to help you.

EXPRESSIONS
Wherever you go, do not forget to say “Bonjour”. As simple as it may sound, it is the simplest way for the French to greet you. The fact of not doing so could be interpreted as a lack of respect. Do remember to put “S’il vous plait” at the end of your sentences as it makes the tone of your sentences “milder”.
- “Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plait.”

From Isabelle : Intransit's French Language Tutor
http://www.in-company-french.com/
06 65 24 64 74

Living in France : Communicating with the French

So you haven’t quite mastered the French language yet? Don’t be afraid to take the plunge and join in the verbal jousting. Despite what one reads in many books, it simply isn’t true that the French will frown if you “massacre” their language.

On the contrary, they will greatly appreciate your efforts to communicate in their mother tongue and you’ll quickly find that using the little French you have will go a long way to building rapport.

Some insights into the French communication style:

(1) The French are verbally expressive. They relish debate and often engage in lively—even heated—discussions over dinner or in business meetings. People from less confrontational cultures should not mistake this love of debate for hostility.

(2) French people don’t spell things out. Instead, they expect the listener to fill in the gaps drawing on shared contextual information. Messages are often implicit rather than explicit.

(3) Simultaneous communication is favoured in France; most of the time it is “okay” to interrupt someone who is speaking to you.

(4) Good verbal skills are prized by the French who will strive to present their point of view with icy Cartesian logic, elegant phrasing and verbal flourishes. This is one reason Gallic business people prefer to negotiate in their native tongue: their verbal pyrotechnics are lost when expressed in another language.

(5) The French strive to be precise in their communications, constantly looking for “le mot juste” (the right word).

(6) Both verbal and written communications are peppered with polite turns of phrases and are fairly formal, except between family and friends.

(7) As a rule, French people are not afraid to criticize a point of view or to say ‘no’. In the workplace, however, especially in larger companies and organizations, employees will be hesitant to confront their boss if they think he or she is in the wrong.

(8) France is what is known as a high-context culture (I’ll post more on this later). Put simply, this means that building long-term relationships is important. Face-to-face meetings are therefore preferred to telephone conversations or written exchanges.

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Living in Paris : French Language : Tu or vous…???

You have just arrived in France and you’re wondering how to speak “un peu français” ! In fact, it may be simpler than you think!

One of the first rules to remember is that the French will always welcome you warmly so long as you make the effort to speak a little of the French Language.
One of the first things you will come upon once in France is whether to call someone “tu” (tutoyer) or “vous” (vouvoyer).

It may even give you a real headache sometimes! Here are a few tips…

• If you are talking to a friend, a member of your family or a child, you should use “tu” which is synonymous of closeness, friendship or informality.
  
• However when you wish to express respect, distance or formality, you should use “vous”. For instance, when you speak to someone you don’t know, an older person or to 2 people or more…
  
• Sometimes, it is not easy to make the difference between “tu” and “vous” and if you are not sure which one to choose, I would advise you to go for “vous” as it is better to show someone too much respect than not enough!
  
• If a French person asks you: “On peut se tutoyer ?”, this is a sign that he/she wants to be informal. However be careful: “tu” and “vous” are not interchangeable, so it is very important to know when and why they are to be used. Otherwise, you may insult someone unwillingly by using the wrong “you”!

From Isabelle : Intransit's French Language Tutor
www.french-in-paris.com
06 65 24 64 74

Living in Paris: How to be a true Parisian

I just found this website www.cestsoparis.com which I thought may tickle some of you.

A little harmless fun in the 'year of merde' style!!