Loading ...i studied at the sorbonne (university of paris) in the sixties, and found that the attitude of the french (and other nationalities) toward individual americans is largely dependent on first impressions. when i tried to communicate in french (however badly at first), i was met with friendly co-operation. when i began an encounter with “do you speak english?” i was met with sullen hostility.
when the french (or other cultures) see someone making an effort to “do it their way” they will often bend over backward to help.
the most important words to learn first in another language are “please” and “thank you.”