Dealing with French clients.

[Killerkebab]

"Vous parlez anglais" is a statement that you speak english, "parlez vous anglais" is more of a question - do you speak english.

It can still be a question however, and if spoken in the right tone of voice, 'Vous parlez Anglais?' can suggest exasperation and quickly get the message that if he can't speak the world's simplest language, then he best get learning before he gets anything out of you

Where abouts in France? Please tell me it was Paris!

Paris is probably the most likely place, just like I'd have more chances of finding a Frenchman in London than Manchester

 

[Rotty]

Where abouts in France? Please tell me it was Paris!

Lyon, Paris would have been even better

 

[GarethDW]

F: Allez trouver quelqu'un qui fait...

Attends - ca veut rien dire... Trouver quelqu'un qui fait quoi exactement? Quelqu'un qui fait le menage... qui fait la vaisselle... qui fait l'amour avec des jeunes filles anglaises...?

Tu aurais du dire "Alors, allez trouver quelqu'un qui peut le faire"

ps - apologies for the lack of accents.

 

[rick827]

The French are proud of their language, it's a pity that us anglophones aren't as proud of our language.

We're so proud we refuse to speak anything else

 

[GarethDW]

We're so proud we refuse to speak anything else

But we're slowly but surely having our language bastardized by the Americans

 

[The Dread Pirate]

But we're slowly but surely having our language bastardized by the Americans

*spits* Damn American Pig Dogs! *spits some more*

 

[MarcLister]

Paris is probably the most likely place, just like I'd have more chances of finding a Frenchman in London than Manchester

Bwahahah you lose.

Lyon, Paris would have been even better

Oooh.

 

[Aod]

*spits* Damn American Pig Dogs! *spits some more*

agreed

 

[PhilthyPhil]

"Vous parlez anglais" is a statement that you speak english, "parlez vous anglais" is more of a question - do you speak english.

Its been a while since i used my french but if you make a statement and raise the pitch of your voice at the end doesn't this then become a question?

 

[D.P.]

"Vous parlez anglais" is a statement that you speak english, "parlez vous anglais" is more of a question - do you speak english.

If your speaking both is correct and you merely have raise ones intonation at the end.

 

[MarcLister]

Its been a while since i used my french but if you make a statement and raise the pitch of your voice at the end doesn't this then become a question?

I believe that is right yes.

 

[Killerkebab]

If your speaking both is correct and you merely have raise ones intonation at the end.

Parlez vous Français is a bit more posh though

 

[GarethDW]

Parlez vous Français is a bit more posh though

Or how about, "Je m'excuse de vous demander pardon, mais est-ce que vous parlez anglais?"

Always seems so apologetic to me

 

[leezer3]

It's amazing how the French can suddenly 'forget' all their English when I ask them for ID
Have absolutely gobsmacked more than a few by repeating myself in French too (Normally tend to get a torrent of abuse after that, can be quite amusing)

-Leezer-

 

[Tefal]

The French can, by and large, speak English. They just choose not to because we expect them to. I don't see a problem with it really.

They should be bloody grateful we got their country back for them!

 

[Participant]

"Vous parlez anglais" is a statement that you speak english, "parlez vous anglais" is more of a question - do you speak english.

WRONG!

 

[gillywibble]

Merde

 

[branddaly]

I used to work for Alstom, which had its HQ in France. Most of the people I spoke to on the phone were complete clients, but whenever I travelled over, everyone was really nice. On the phone, they would constantly complain they couldn't understand my French, and claim they didn't speak English. Whilst there, they went out of their way speaking in English to help me with my French. Odd nation. Love their wine to bits though.