Comment by defen
13 hours ago
> French culture is a rare culture where shop owners won't be afraid to tell off/talk back at customers that don't show a basic level of politeness.
My favorite French shop anecdote (I'm American): Went to a bakery in Paris. Tried to order "Un croissant, s'il vous plaît". Shopkeeper responded (in very lightly accented English) with "I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're saying". I wasn't mad or offended, in fact it's one of my favorite memories from the trip.
The French's and their language is a funny one. We constantly get French tourists here in Spain who approach you and try to talk to you in French, assuming somehow because you live in the North of Spain of course you'd understand at least the basics of French.
I'm sure it happens in a lot of places around borders though, not sure that's unique to the French.
Bonjour monsieur, je voudrais une eclair chocolate s'il vous plait is my number one French phrase. I can usually sell it. Maybe you needed the prefixes?
Did you ever get your croissant in that shop?
I did! Had to ask for it in English though.