How I Love Paris

The picture in the middle is of me and my French host family!

In Paris, I'm pretty sure we stuck out. We traveled in groups and spoke loud. We dressed differently and I am willing to bet we smelt differently too. (No offense to any Frenchies). So, obviously, people knew we were not Parisian. Therefore, people would often start speaking English right off the bat, even if we spoke to them first in French.

Some people in the group had a huge problem with that. They thought it was rude and they thought that Parisians didn't give them a chance. In the states, they claimed, they would never start speaking in Spanish or French to someone who couldn't speak English very well. They would let them try and congratulate them on their efforts. Is anyone else seeing how ridiculous this is? Frankly, I was fine with people speaking to me in English. No one ever said, 'Stop speaking in French, you suck at speaking.' Therefore, I believe that it was to accomodate us more than anything. Also, in a big city, people value their time. So, if they have to repeat what it is they are asking three times, why not just skip the grief and say it in a language we both know? Often times people think Parisians are rude, but they don't stop to think about their own culture and how they would react under similar circumstances. And I call that ignorance.

Plus, it's not like the waiters in Paris speak perfect English. They have to practice too, so why not practice with people who are actually American or English. That way, when they stumble across someone who really doesn't speak any French, they are prepared. I guess I am an optimist in that I don't let little things like 'The waiter spoke to me in English before I even said anything' get me down. Therefore, I LOVE PARIS. Disclaimer: Like every culture the French have their share of mean people, and no, not all of them live in Paris.

Sidenote, while I was in Basel, before the France extravaganza, I met a German who told me that I would be a princess in heaven and sit with Jesus if I could only accept him into my heart. He then wrote me a ten page letter filled with important verses and things I should know about Jesus and religion. Why do I attract wierdos???