Comments on: en français

By: Froggywoogie

Froggywoogie — Sat, 31 May 2008 10:07:52 +0000

I used to be called “mon grenouille” by a British female friend of mines

By: old school friend

old school friend — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:28:44 +0000

PS maybe “front page” wasn’t quite the right expression – I meant on the first page of the article, to the left of the photo with the blurred faces.

By: old school friend

old school friend — Fri, 30 May 2008 08:26:29 +0000

@29 I’ve got the copy of that issue of MC magazine here and if you look very closely it does say “Some names have been changed” on the front page, right next to the spine, in very tiny letters.

By: Dan Dx

Dan Dx — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:14:58 +0000

#44 Zoe
Don’t worry, be happy! As I use to say to my US friends before their big jump:
As long as (WARNING: Stereotype!) you don’t shout loud in English, as long as you’ll say “Bonjour”, “S’il vous plait”, “Merci” and as long as you don’t order Ketchup with your Ratatouille, then you’ll be warmly welcome and then you’ll get friendly smiles. That’s easy, isn’t it!
Another tip? Leave Paris as soon as possible, “la province française” is charming! Ready for the great adventure? Go to the North (Lille), northerner “Ch’tis” are fashionable in France nowadays :)

By: mrs. bee

mrs. bee — Thu, 29 May 2008 13:10:00 +0000

The beauty of the ex in law situation is that everything can be waived off with a “it was an error in translation” wave of the hand explanation. Too bad I can’t use that with mine…

I agree with everyone else, Mr. Frog and Tadpole should remain. I’m sure they could simply make a little footnote or something to explain the names.

By: Zoe

Zoe — Thu, 29 May 2008 04:24:42 +0000

Dan Dx: Unfortunately I have already bought “French or Foe.” An old friend from university who has lived the last 15 years in Paris said it was compulsory reading. Perhaps I will have my speed-reader husband read it instead and he can fill me in on the useful parts.

I actually have found Petite’s blog to be one of the most useful sources of what to and what not to do while in Paris: don’t eat on the street; get your masculine and feminine nouns straight; don’t wear clothes that are too flashy, don’t bother with a stroller (pushchair)… Then of course, no shorts or white runners – not that I would be caught dead in that in any country. Any other suggestions from readers are welcome.

My plan is to start every interaction with, “Je suis très désolée, mon Français est très limité. Pouvez-vous m’aider, svp?”

By: Citronella

Citronella — Wed, 28 May 2008 23:22:58 +0000

Dan (# 36) > I learned something today. I’m not so sure about the cuteness of the word anymore…

By: Koko

Koko — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:46:09 +0000

I’m not sure if girls ever outgrow the “why” phase. I have a fourteen-year-old who is equally as difficult to reason with. “WHY can’t I stay out all night with my friends?” *sigh*

BTW, I thoroughly enjoyed your book! I spent the weekend at a friend’s cottage, just so that I could read its entirety in solitude without any distractions.

Reliving my sojourn in Paris through your eyes was a plaisir.

By: aconfusedtakethatfan

aconfusedtakethatfan — Wed, 28 May 2008 21:25:06 +0000

What prettier name can there be than Tadpole!?
Congrats on the book.
And a wedding is nigh…
My advice, on the day try and take it all in and enjoy, it whizzes by and don’t drink ’til after the meal.Then crack on…
I am going on a hen do this weekend and am trying to avoid all shots…but it is with hard drinking northerners….I don’t stand a chance.

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:02:03 +0000

thanks for the explanation petite, v unprofessional of MC though but at least no-one was any the wiser