Originally Posted by
DYKWIA
I had to work in Paris for around 9 months in 2016. I hated the place. Everything was a challenge... from the filth on the trains, strikes, taxis having no idea where they were going, hotels closing their restaurants as the staff were on holiday, office lunches that went on for 2 hours every day. I could write a book about how much I hated it.
However, I found the French people to be very nice. My French is null, but my approach was always something along the lines of "Bonjour, I'm very sorry, but I'm English and don't speak French". That seemed to always get a smile for some reason... and then good service. For the places where English was an issue - the old "point at something you recognise on the menu" approach always worked, alongside "une bière, svp".
And don't get me started about having to shake hands with the whole office every day
Hehe I think you actually SHOULD write a book about it. I would read it.
Your approach with "Bonjour, I'm very sorry, but I'm English and don't speak French" seems to be a "life hack" for people who don't speak much french but still visit France. I can imagine that this works very well because that way you acknowledge that French would be the language everyone is supposed to speak there and the issue is over with and all can focus on whatever is the topic from then on.
Still somewhat strange that you have to express your deepest regret for not speaking French very well in order to be treated nicely. On the other hand I think this fear is kind of a fear that foreigner come to their country and the French language would get lost if everyone starts to speak English and this could be the root of this behavior.