Any travel plans to France this year, the most visited country on Earth? Anytime I find an opportunity to go, I’m off. So, when I was asked "Could I bring you to France, to help me antique for furnishings & decorate my newly renovated home there?" I leaped….Pince Moi, (pinch me) Never could I have imagined such an opportunity, really loving my career at the moment We will get back to that dream, but first….. "HOW TO GET ALONG WITH THE FRENCH?" You have heard the horror stories, "they are rude, will not even try English, they are rude, ignored us, they are rude……." As my husband and I readied ourselves for the first trip over we were inundated with the above in a remarkable series of versions, we second guessed ourselves. "maybe we fly there and go elsewhere?" Mind you we were quite young & impressionable. Then I spoke to someone in the know. "They are rude because YOU are rude" WHAT??!!?? You see it is a country of deep seated social mores of graciousness. How so? -never walk into a shop, cafe, anywhere, without saying Bonjour, followed by the appropriate title of Madame, Monsieur, or Mademoiselle to the clerk, staff, anyone in the establishment,.When entering In the evening (after 6pm) instead of Bonjour, it is Bonsoir Madame, monsieur….. When leaving it is Au Revoir, madame……. All while looking them in the eyes. -use Merci (thank you) liberally followed by Madame, Msr……. -never walk up to someone speaking English, the height of rudeness! Imagine someone walking up to us prattling on in a foreign language…NON! Practice a few words & sayings to get along. The most important being "Pardone, Madame, Monsieur, Mme, Parlez Vous Angalis?" (Pardon me, Madame, do you speak English?) See the constant use of Madame, Monsieur Mademoiselle? Everything must begin or be followed by that sentiment -Control yourself in public. We are noted for being loud & boisterous. I can always tell when a group is from the US, by the decibel level! This too is considered rude & inconsiderate to fellow diners/participants….. Once there, do partake & enjoy the fruits of this country, they do know how to live Does all this sound off putting? When I share this with participants of a France tour by Sylvia and I, a look of exasperation looms over everyone, however once there, and put into practice, everyone exclaims, "This is so civilized, I forgot what that was like!" Viola!! With this knowledge, I have never had an issue and find the French so charming, more so outside of Paris, however, that is with all large cities, n’est-ce pas? So…..back to my journey, leaving tomorrow, arriving in the morning and off on a train…..this is where I could really mess up……then deep into the countryside. To market we go! Treasures from France are a perennial favorite when brought back to the shop This reminds me, I will have to do a post on negotiating antique shopping in France, which will apply to most other countries too. All such fun! If you want to "come on this journey", follow me on my Instagram page; instagram.com/debraphillips_5thandstate Stay tuned, Sylvia and I are planning our tour to Provence in September, 2019. Ohhh la la! Speaking of tours, we have a spot for one more on our English countryside tour this September. If interested email me. [email protected] Merci Madame, Monsieur, Mademoiselle, Debra
