Years and years I have been taught what the culture is, what to do and not to do in different parts of the world. It was quite useful information but when you are there, the situation can be different and surprised you a lot!
At the beginning, I have experienced the language barrier, it wasn't so strong because of my knowledge of French. Anyway, you will always try to speak English because it is natural to you, it is international language and when you don't know the language of the country, English should help you. No, not in France. I have seen it many times and also when I started talking in English with a French shop assistant, lady at the post office or in the metro etc. they had one answer for me:"Non, non non anglaise. Je parle française." I can believe the fact that for non-French speakers, University was the kind of the peaceful area. I solved the situation - I learnt French. The positive thing is that there is always someone to help you.
Talking about the empathy, yes, you can. You can start to understand situations and behaviour you've never experienced before. France is still in the Europe thus it wasn't that hard. Nevertheless, kissing on both cheeks from total strangers will always surprise you.
For me, it's hard to get the unpleasant feeling of Frenchs when talking in English (if you're lucky to persuade one of them to at least try it)...their face looks like they bite into a sour lemon unpleasant feeling following the rhetorical question:WHY ME?
Nobody explains me the disgust they feel. Maybe historical reasons, competition, pride?
One way or another, I will be happy to come back as a tourist and this experience of studying in Paris makes these gestures much more unforgettable.
At the beginning, I have experienced the language barrier, it wasn't so strong because of my knowledge of French. Anyway, you will always try to speak English because it is natural to you, it is international language and when you don't know the language of the country, English should help you. No, not in France. I have seen it many times and also when I started talking in English with a French shop assistant, lady at the post office or in the metro etc. they had one answer for me:"Non, non non anglaise. Je parle française." I can believe the fact that for non-French speakers, University was the kind of the peaceful area. I solved the situation - I learnt French. The positive thing is that there is always someone to help you.
Talking about the empathy, yes, you can. You can start to understand situations and behaviour you've never experienced before. France is still in the Europe thus it wasn't that hard. Nevertheless, kissing on both cheeks from total strangers will always surprise you.
For me, it's hard to get the unpleasant feeling of Frenchs when talking in English (if you're lucky to persuade one of them to at least try it)...their face looks like they bite into a sour lemon unpleasant feeling following the rhetorical question:WHY ME?
Nobody explains me the disgust they feel. Maybe historical reasons, competition, pride?
One way or another, I will be happy to come back as a tourist and this experience of studying in Paris makes these gestures much more unforgettable.