Buying a house in France.

[midlifecrisis]

Can you speak French Phil? Often thought about Brits who retire abroad but no habla la lingua

 

[GeoffCapes]

Can you speak French Phil? Often thought about Brits who retire abroad but no habla la lingua

He speaks about as much French as I do!

 

[DaveT]

Bonnet de ******

 

[jemgee]

We had a river cruiser based mainly in the Burgundy region. The locals were very friendly and we always tried to integrate and speak a few words in schoolboy french. The only problem came when they replied far quicker than we could understand

 

[midlifecrisis]

We had a river cruiser based mainly in the Burgundy region. The locals were very friendly and we always tried to integrate and speak a few words in schoolboy french. The only problem came when they replied far quicker than we could understand

It's always the way, you rehearse a phrase and they either speak to you in English or French very quickly..

-Je voo-dray un baggette cill voo play.
-bien sûr monsieur, c'est tout? Que diriez-vous d'un bon gâteau?
- er what?

 

[philw696]

Can you speak French Phil? Often thought about Brits who retire abroad but no habla la lingua

I'm trying my best to learn but it's not easy.
Thankfully I have Ms French to sort all my affairs out like making a will on Saturday

 

[midlifecrisis]

I'm trying my best to learn but it's not easy.
Thankfully I have Ms French to sort all my affairs out like making a will on Saturday

It's easier to learn the language when you're in the country. I practically absorbed German when I was there.

 

[philw696]

It's easier to learn the language when you're in the country. I practically absorbed German when I was there.

Totally agree I understand lots it's trying to speak it that's the hardest part.
Looks like I will be in France all this year now with my work situation so should get easier.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Totally agree I understand lots it's trying to speak it that's the hardest part.
Looks like I will be in France all this year now with my work situation so should get easier.

Bonne chance mon frére.

 

[D Walker]

Totally agree I understand lots it's trying to speak it that's the hardest part.
Looks like I will be in France all this year now with my work situation so should get easier.

There’s always Benny for lessons.

 

[safrane]

Had a French 'wife' for 8 years... never got used to the language esp her families as they all spoke at 100 mph when together.

 

[sionie1]

My Italian teacher had a nice way of describing a leaner talking to a native - you have a pea shooter and they reply with a machine gun... however in Italy I always ask that they try and be patient with me and talk only in Italian, I trot out a phrase at the beginning, has worked so far although with many a giggle.

 

[JonW]

My Italian teacher had a nice way of describing a leaner talking to a native - you have a pea shooter and they reply with a machine gun... however in Italy I always ask that they try and be patient with me and talk only in Italian, I trot out a phrase at the beginning, has worked so far although with many a giggle.

like that description and love the idea of an opening phrase asking them to be patient and speak slowly - will need to learn how to say that in French...

 

[lozcb]

like that description and love the idea of an opening phrase asking them to be patient and speak slowly - will need to learn how to say that in French...

I find the usual ,je ne comprend pas , voulez vous repete la phrase et anglataire sivoux plais
Spoke french and German reasonably well 30 years ago , if I was there any amount of time hopefully it would come flooding back , may be bit of wishfull thinking on my part as the old grey cells seem to be disappearing faster each year , Farsi was my strongest language

 

[CatmanV2]

like that description and love the idea of an opening phrase asking them to be patient and speak slowly - will need to learn how to say that in French...

Pouvez vouz parler seulement lentement, sil vous plait.

C

 

[bigbob]

I'm trying my best to learn but it's not easy.
Thankfully I have Ms French to sort all my affairs out like making a will on Saturday

At least that's what she told you it was...

 

[philw696]

And we're in.
Been hard graft in 30°C and not just the household items but all my 40 year Automotive tool collection which until the workshop is ready is now inside the house.

 

[philw696]

Just got the hall and stairs sorted.

 

[Oneball]

Just got the hall and stairs sorted.
View attachment 70915

Can’t beat a good sh@g.

 

[MAF260]

Congrats, Phil. It's been a long slog, but well worth it now you're in.

I'm sure many of us will find time to pop in on you when over in France.