I just SO hate the check in at CDG
Jan 20, 2020, 2:40 am
#46
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: ZRH
Programs: QRPC
Posts: 228
It’s probably not an attitude problem. When your English is over simplified, it sounds direct and that is often considered rude by a fluent speaker. This has been discussed elsewhere.
- put your bag here.
- please place your luggage here.
- go away.
- is there anything else I can do for you, sir?
- passport?
- may I have your passport please?
- put your bag here.
- please place your luggage here.
- go away.
- is there anything else I can do for you, sir?
- passport?
- may I have your passport please?
It left the impression on the 10year old me, that they were intentionally trying to bully us. But it was probably just their German skill that didn't allow them to say it any differently.
Jan 20, 2020, 2:44 am
#47
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: ZRH
Programs: QRPC
Posts: 228
Jan 20, 2020, 3:00 am
#48
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, Accor Platinum, AC50K
Posts: 2,921
It is nothing but ridiculous to deny that English is the global language. Has absolutely nothing to do with England nowadays, it's just a fact. If you're working in any job where you have contact with tourists or foreigners, you should be okay with speaking English to them. Works everywhere in the world except for France/Romandy/Quebec.
Jan 20, 2020, 3:02 am
#49
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,206
If you are anywhere in the world and you don't speak the local language. What is the language you will have the most success in being able to communicate (other than the language of love, lol) ?
Jan 20, 2020, 3:14 am
#50
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
A fascinating thread. For five years I was split between Paris and London, so was a regular through ORY, CDG and the Eurostar. With moderate to medium French, I never felt any "attitude", bit did see it on occasion to , erm... less experienced tourists.
Cultural differences and all that.
Cultural differences and all that.
You have some rude and unprofessional staff in every airport in the world, but CDG certainly isn't one that stands out. Like a poster mentioned, for those of you who think CDG is bad, try EWR, and this is assuming one speaks fluent English. If not, I have no idea how anyone navigates any airport in the US.
PS - When it comes to being abrasive to novice travelers and/or tourists, JFK's TSA & local frequent travelers can be pretty abrasive, and I've seen much worst than anything in CDG.
Jan 20, 2020, 3:32 am
#51
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 427
English is understood and spoken to a degree at pretty much any place in the world that has international visitors.
The French for some reason seem to have a bee in their bonnet about the English language and seem to be almost reluctant to have to use it.
I have had some shocking interactions with French people working in tourist heavy places. The rudeness and bluntness completely out of place in such touristic places.
As another poster implied, English is the de facto international / business language, whether you like it or not.
The French for some reason seem to have a bee in their bonnet about the English language and seem to be almost reluctant to have to use it.
I have had some shocking interactions with French people working in tourist heavy places. The rudeness and bluntness completely out of place in such touristic places.
As another poster implied, English is the de facto international / business language, whether you like it or not.
Jan 20, 2020, 3:39 am
#52
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: ZRH
Programs: QRPC
Posts: 228
Correct, it was an answer to "rickg523" who was talking about Europe. But what I wrote above was meant generally. What language will you most likely be able to communicate other than the local language. Also in Uzbekistan or whereever, it will still be English I assume.
Jan 20, 2020, 3:39 am
#53
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,680
Jan 20, 2020, 3:48 am
#54
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: ZRH
Programs: QRPC
Posts: 228
At least that was the case when I was there 15 years ago. Other than that, Canadians are the most polite people you could imagine, ey. :P
Jan 20, 2020, 4:05 am
#55
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: *A Gold (A3), HHonor Gold
Posts: 5,672
Well then we agree to disagree I guess. If you are anywhere in the world and you don't speak the local language. What is the language you will have the most success in being able to communicate (other than the language of love, lol) ?
If the answer is anything else but English, you are either in a partly french speaking country or your answer is not correct.
I have yet to find a place in Europe where you cannot get around with English. The only place which I don't feel very enthusiastic to travel to is France because many people there make you feel uncomfortable when you don't speak the language perfectly even-though they would be able to speak English without a problem. I do have basic knowledge in French because we learn it in elementary school here, but if you start to speak French in France, chances are high that your dialog partner will not do anything to make sure you'll understand what he said. Even when you ask him/her to speak slowly, they will most probably just continue to talk just as fast and use fancy words like before.
The other things you said are undisputed, obviously it is nice etiquette to learn basic words, phrases when you go to a place.
If the answer is anything else but English, you are either in a partly french speaking country or your answer is not correct.
I have yet to find a place in Europe where you cannot get around with English. The only place which I don't feel very enthusiastic to travel to is France because many people there make you feel uncomfortable when you don't speak the language perfectly even-though they would be able to speak English without a problem. I do have basic knowledge in French because we learn it in elementary school here, but if you start to speak French in France, chances are high that your dialog partner will not do anything to make sure you'll understand what he said. Even when you ask him/her to speak slowly, they will most probably just continue to talk just as fast and use fancy words like before.
The other things you said are undisputed, obviously it is nice etiquette to learn basic words, phrases when you go to a place.
Spain is several places, Italy too.
Czech republic with old people or bus drivers (and generally speaking most of eastern Europe), Slovakia.
Your assumption is wrong. While in some parts of France English speaking is an issue (due to lack of education for people more than 40 years old and/or pride/culture), the remaining is no worse than its neighbor, UK included (which is where you will find the least understood and clear English of the world: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article...-communicators)
Jan 20, 2020, 4:16 am
#56
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Bloomsbury
Programs: BA Silver, AF Ivory
Posts: 2,201
Well that is getting out of context. I never said they are not able to speak English. I actually said (or at least tried to say) the exact opposite. Everyone in Quebec can speak both languages. But if you speak English instead of French, in some places they will make you feel that it is not appreciated that you don't speak french. At least that was the case when I was there 15 years ago. Other than that, Canadians are the most polite people you could imagine, ey. :P
At least that was the case when I was there 15 years ago. Other than that, Canadians are the most polite people you could imagine, ey. :P(Off-topic, great place to visits, esp. if you use the (slow but huge fun) trains to get around the province).
Jan 20, 2020, 4:29 am
#57
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,206
Correct, it was an answer to "rickg523" who was talking about Europe. But what I wrote above was meant generally. What language will you most likely be able to communicate other than the local language. Also in Uzbekistan or whereever, it will still be English I assume.
Jan 20, 2020, 6:05 am
#58
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,586
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 bičre, svp".
And don't get me started about having to shake hands with the whole office every day
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 bičre, svp".
And don't get me started about having to shake hands with the whole office every day
