I had only been in Nancy, France for 2 weeks when I got my first lesson in French etiquette from a fellow grocery shopper.
I was really excited about my first grocery shopping experience on my own in France. I had written down all my ingredients that I needed in English with their French translations. And then I was off, a 25 minute walk to the big grocery store. Up until this point, I had no idea these big stores had even existed as I had yet to see one. So I had big hopes for this shopping trip. Finally, I would be able to make Pasta with Chicken Alfredo sauce that I had been bragging about to my French roommates.
Omg, it was the most nerve-racking grocery shopping experience of my life. Why? Well because not only was everything in French, I didn't know where anything was. I am sure I looked pretty desperate when all of the sudden, a French woman in her early 20's asked me if I needed help. She must have seen me looking at my shopping list over and over again and saw how I was frantically going up and down the aisles trying to find some Parmesan cheese. So I said, "oh yes, I'm so lost!". And then she responded with a stern - "S'il vous plaît......." while giving a strange look, as if who was I to not say "Please".. So I responded quickly in a humbled voice "oui.. oui.. S'il vous plaît".
My French friend had reminded me of this many times, say "please, always say please". Well good lordy, I wasn't used to saying please all the time but after feeling so ashamed, I would never forget to say please again.
If I could give that French girl a big HUG, I would. "S'il vous plaît" has helped me so much with integrating into France. When I ask for anything, I always follow it up with a "S'il vous plaît" and a "Merci" (thank you). And to date, nobody has given me any dirty looks, in fact, I just get smiles!
So when in France, always follow-up your questions with "S'il vous plaît" and be sure to thank them, they'll def appreciate your manners.
I was really excited about my first grocery shopping experience on my own in France. I had written down all my ingredients that I needed in English with their French translations. And then I was off, a 25 minute walk to the big grocery store. Up until this point, I had no idea these big stores had even existed as I had yet to see one. So I had big hopes for this shopping trip. Finally, I would be able to make Pasta with Chicken Alfredo sauce that I had been bragging about to my French roommates.
Omg, it was the most nerve-racking grocery shopping experience of my life. Why? Well because not only was everything in French, I didn't know where anything was. I am sure I looked pretty desperate when all of the sudden, a French woman in her early 20's asked me if I needed help. She must have seen me looking at my shopping list over and over again and saw how I was frantically going up and down the aisles trying to find some Parmesan cheese. So I said, "oh yes, I'm so lost!". And then she responded with a stern - "S'il vous plaît......." while giving a strange look, as if who was I to not say "Please".. So I responded quickly in a humbled voice "oui.. oui.. S'il vous plaît".
My French friend had reminded me of this many times, say "please, always say please". Well good lordy, I wasn't used to saying please all the time but after feeling so ashamed, I would never forget to say please again.
If I could give that French girl a big HUG, I would. "S'il vous plaît" has helped me so much with integrating into France. When I ask for anything, I always follow it up with a "S'il vous plaît" and a "Merci" (thank you). And to date, nobody has given me any dirty looks, in fact, I just get smiles!
So when in France, always follow-up your questions with "S'il vous plaît" and be sure to thank them, they'll def appreciate your manners.