I loved this piece. I, too, fell in love with all things French and majored in it in high school (since my parents made me drop art and learn something academic and useful). I, too, stuck with it in college, specializing in medieval French Lit and adding Italian to the languages I loved but would seldom use. After several years of practicing law (what else does one do with a degree in medieval French lit and Italian?), I took a leave of absence and went to México for several months of total immersion Spanish. I am now fluent in Spanish and my French and Italian have rusted away. At least I didn't marry a boring American (this time). My husband is Mexican, the cousin of the mariachis who played at my welcome home party when I returned from my life-altering studies. It's never too late, Bess. México awaits, and its people are as warm as the sun!
I am pleased to say I have never visited France, and would never do so (given what I know from meeting French people in the USA).
A good friend (who is now a very successful MD in the USA) moved to France many years back with her French boyfriend. She left in disgust after several years, during which time her ability to speak French had gotten better and better. But he persisted in correcting her pronounciation ALL THE TIME, even when they were alone at home.
It really is too bad about the French, it is almost as if they had the potential to be decent honest people, but they don't seem to be able to get over themselves to "get there". Kind of sad, really.
French-level condescension does not suit you, Bess. But you're a champ to try to put up with it.
2 other things I know to be true, in this context: for an introduction to French rudeness, try Paris Jr, or Montreal; I was banished from a theater box office for asking if a particular movie offered subtitles. Also, no one can condescend to a non-French-speaking American tourist like a topless woman on a beach in Martinique. For some reason, an insult from a semi-naked, perfectly shaped native carries its own special sting.
may wee. I'm reminded of a woman at my place of work in NYC in the 80s who took a trip to Paree. She walked into a dress shop and enquired politely if the clerk spoke English. The clerk raised her arm and, without a word, pointed at the door.
I opted for French when I was 12 because I had just returned from Club Med Cancun with my parents and decided my life goal was to be a Club Med employee till the end of days.
My British husband who has been in America for 30 years, majored in linguistics at university, spent a year in France and learned the language to the point he was dreaming in French. The last time we visited Paris, they simply switched to English every time he spoke in French 🤣
Two years of a "foreign" language was required in high school. Me, being 14 or 15 at the time, decided on (please forgive me in advance!) German because one of my grandmothers was of German heritage. No other reasoning went into it.
Now, many decades later, I sooooooo wish I had taken Spanish. And stuck with it. Much much much more useful, especially in the area of the country where I live now.
I'm Irish. French was compulsory to 'O' level (like OWLs in Harry Potter) in our school, so I have five years of it. I loved it. I like to dabble and try to 'keep my hand in' by reading books I know well...but the French versions. I was in France last summer for the Rugby World Cup and I know my French was poorly accented and most likely badly conjugated...and for the most part, they let me try a bit, and then we reverted to English. I would be willing to accept any amount of condescension for access to their excellent croissants. Oh, and my Confirmation name is Madeline...because I also had just read that book when the time came to choose.
I presented a days-long, emotionally fraught, admittedly over-the-top plea to my son so that he wouldn't follow in my useless language footsteps (I too learned French for years - why? we'll never know!) and take Spanish instead. Feeling completely vindicated now.
Moi au fucking ssi.
I loved this piece. I, too, fell in love with all things French and majored in it in high school (since my parents made me drop art and learn something academic and useful). I, too, stuck with it in college, specializing in medieval French Lit and adding Italian to the languages I loved but would seldom use. After several years of practicing law (what else does one do with a degree in medieval French lit and Italian?), I took a leave of absence and went to México for several months of total immersion Spanish. I am now fluent in Spanish and my French and Italian have rusted away. At least I didn't marry a boring American (this time). My husband is Mexican, the cousin of the mariachis who played at my welcome home party when I returned from my life-altering studies. It's never too late, Bess. México awaits, and its people are as warm as the sun!
You didn’t want to travel to Haiti, Togo, Benin, Mauritania, Cote DIvoire or Congo? Plenty of French speaking African countries.
There is still an opportunity to use your French.
I say this as someone who majored in Spanish, lives in NYC and speaks Spanish everyday at work.
I am pleased to say I have never visited France, and would never do so (given what I know from meeting French people in the USA).
A good friend (who is now a very successful MD in the USA) moved to France many years back with her French boyfriend. She left in disgust after several years, during which time her ability to speak French had gotten better and better. But he persisted in correcting her pronounciation ALL THE TIME, even when they were alone at home.
It really is too bad about the French, it is almost as if they had the potential to be decent honest people, but they don't seem to be able to get over themselves to "get there". Kind of sad, really.
French-level condescension does not suit you, Bess. But you're a champ to try to put up with it.
2 other things I know to be true, in this context: for an introduction to French rudeness, try Paris Jr, or Montreal; I was banished from a theater box office for asking if a particular movie offered subtitles. Also, no one can condescend to a non-French-speaking American tourist like a topless woman on a beach in Martinique. For some reason, an insult from a semi-naked, perfectly shaped native carries its own special sting.
may wee. I'm reminded of a woman at my place of work in NYC in the 80s who took a trip to Paree. She walked into a dress shop and enquired politely if the clerk spoke English. The clerk raised her arm and, without a word, pointed at the door.
I opted for French when I was 12 because I had just returned from Club Med Cancun with my parents and decided my life goal was to be a Club Med employee till the end of days.
My British husband who has been in America for 30 years, majored in linguistics at university, spent a year in France and learned the language to the point he was dreaming in French. The last time we visited Paris, they simply switched to English every time he spoke in French 🤣
Two years of a "foreign" language was required in high school. Me, being 14 or 15 at the time, decided on (please forgive me in advance!) German because one of my grandmothers was of German heritage. No other reasoning went into it.
Now, many decades later, I sooooooo wish I had taken Spanish. And stuck with it. Much much much more useful, especially in the area of the country where I live now.
I'm Irish. French was compulsory to 'O' level (like OWLs in Harry Potter) in our school, so I have five years of it. I loved it. I like to dabble and try to 'keep my hand in' by reading books I know well...but the French versions. I was in France last summer for the Rugby World Cup and I know my French was poorly accented and most likely badly conjugated...and for the most part, they let me try a bit, and then we reverted to English. I would be willing to accept any amount of condescension for access to their excellent croissants. Oh, and my Confirmation name is Madeline...because I also had just read that book when the time came to choose.
I presented a days-long, emotionally fraught, admittedly over-the-top plea to my son so that he wouldn't follow in my useless language footsteps (I too learned French for years - why? we'll never know!) and take Spanish instead. Feeling completely vindicated now.