Pushy French are world's worst tourists: study

[Sirrahsim]

I haven't had a chance to go down to France yet but a while ago I was being helped by a lady speaking French in Belgium. She was all smiles and chatty cathy with everyone else but when it was my turn she didn't even TRY to speak to me even though I smiled and said hello in French just like everyone else She did crack a smile when I said Merci though so maybe the rest of it was just too butchered to be understandable
Here in Germany I have had MANY good experiences with language and it seems that everyone I have met so far appreciates that I TRY to ask/order in German

[Kirsten]

Here in Germany I have had MANY good experiences with language and it seems that everyone I have met so far appreciates that I TRY to ask/order in German

Where in Germany are you? It's true, many Germans appreciate when people from other countries try to speak our language (btw, I think German must be very difficult to learn). Do the Germans you know try to speak English with you? I have to admit that many Germans speak a horrible English...

Kirsten

[Randi]

I remember John telling some stories about the French and German’s. He left England when he was about 21 and went to Germany to work for a year doing technical drawings. He got a job ans lived in a small rented room where he studied German from an old book with Gothic letters! He did quite well there and liked the people. Than, after that, he went to Paris, France and got a similar job, also for a year. He did get to know a few people, but he felt most was very hostile, even though he studied French and spoke some.

His plan was to go to Japan, but he wanted to take a two week holiday in Copenhagen first - he had been corresponding with a friend of a friend here. Well, as some of may know, he loved it here and stayed until he died. He was introduced to the best Bar in town, though. People were all over him to practise their English. This was in 1961.

In his later years, he used to complain about the German's "stealing" the sun chairs wherever we went on holiday.

Oh, there was one thing he couldn't stand about Danes... no queue culture!

[Kirsten]

Oh, there was one thing he couldn't stand about Danes... no queue culture!

LOL!

In his later years, he used to complain about the German's "stealing" the sun chairs wherever we went on holiday.

Oh yes, definitely a bad German habit, from what I've heard (I don't travel).

Kirsten

[wombat2u2004]

He did get to know a few people, but he felt most was very hostile, even though he studied French and spoke some.

My daughters boyfriend has just returned from six weeks in Paris, on student exchange. He has exactly the same story.

[Randi]

Well, I guess there are all types - I know this very nice French couple who now live in Copenhagen (actually they were born in Spain, but they lived in France most of their lives, and still have a house in Paris). They are simply the nicest people you can meet - OK, they have travelled a LOT, have three children and a one eyed cat (Dali). Of course... cat people has to be nice.

However, the way they speak English is SO charming.

[wombat2u2004]

Well, I guess there are all types - I know this very nice French couple who now live in Copenhagen (actually they were born in Spain, but they lived in France most of their lives, and still have a house in Paris). They are simply the nicest people you can meet - OK, they have travelled a LOT, have three children and a one eyed cat (Dali). Of course... cat people has to be nice.

However, the way they speak English is SO charming.

Yeah, Spanish people are ok, I've known a few of them, and Portuguese to are a nice sort of people.
We had a Danish family living near us recently, there daughter Phia was one of my daughters friends, they were in the same class at school. Phia's mother worked as a professor of science at the university. A lovely lady, and a real fitness freak.....last year she had a stroke...she was like only 42 yo, so tragic it was. So they had to sell their house and move back to Denmark.
Hubby was also a professor, but couldn't find work here at the uni, and was driving taxi's. So they had to move back so that he could find better paid work teaching in Denmark, as his wife needs lots of care and all. The Dr's doubt she will ever be able to return to her work, as the stroke rendered her almost speechless.
Terrible thing to happen to her, she was a really nice lady.

[Sirrahsim]

Where in Germany are you? It's true, many Germans appreciate when people from other countries try to speak our language (btw, I think German must be very difficult to learn). Do the Germans you know try to speak English with you? I have to admit that many Germans speak a horrible English...

Kirsten

I live way over by Trier! In my experience so far, I will speak German the best I can and they will answer me in English. Maybe because I live near a US military base?? I've only met a couple of people who I could not understand at all, even with asking them to speak slowly, but we managed to communicate well enough with hand gestures I love Germany
I would agree that German is difficult to learn I have been using Rosetta Stone and Mango language programs but I am still terrible at anything but the basics!

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I think this article is interesting, but probably not scientifically valid.

I was in France for 10 days in 2004, and didn't speak but a few words of the language- but everyone was very nice! I actually didn't run into anyone who was rude, but also did make sure to at least give basic salutations in French. (I also had a friend who spoke French, but even when I was out alone I found people very helpful despite my language deficit).

[Randi]

I've never been to Portugal, but Portuguese people are supposed to be really friendly. Come to that, some friends of mine visited New Zealand a few years back - I believe that was the height of your journey "around the world" - well apart from Western Samoa. The place they hated was Mexico.

I learnt a bit of Spanish - good to know when you're stuck out in nowhere and there's only this old man to ask for directions.

How tragic with that Danish woman, I hope she is doing better now!

Sirrahsim, I agree that German is difficult. In my case it's because of the grammer. I do understand a lot, though.

[K9karen]

Well, I consider myself pretty well travelled, having been a travel agent. On the way to Monaco for an award ceremony, 3 friends and I took an extra week off and went to Paris. We were looking at a map on a busy street, when the most sophisticated woman stopped and asked us in English if we needed help! Then when we got on the bus in the wrong direction, the poor driver was so upset he couldn't get through to us. A passenger in the rear of the bus, walked toward us and apologized for his poor English but he would try to help is! Sorry, our week stay in Paris was lovely (except for April rain). We were shocked at how well we were treated. Maybe we were just so cute.

I never did remember about the tipping customs in certain countries. I always left a tip.

I enjoyed everywhere I went (except one country which will remain nameless).

My main complaint, are line breakers and shovers. I was at a very old hotel in Vienna, that had an old elevator with a pull open/close gated door. My friend (very tall) and I were waiting to get on, when a large group of foreigners raced down the hall, shoved us away and closed the door since there was no room for us. The next day, same thing, and my friend stood in front of the door and being a lot taller than the other group blocked the door with her arms and pulled me in and closed the door. It was hysterical. Those short people were dumbfounded and probably terrified. But lesson taught.