Thanks so much for the alphabet song, metric system and degree diagram. I’m visual so this helps much. My problem is hearing spoken French. Still working on it after 6 years. Ugh!😣😃 -B
So true that it is much easier to reach people on the phone in France than in the US where it is virtually impossible. I (in New York City) recently had a problem with my bank account in Languedoc. At the end of my rope I desperately looked up the branch phone number online and just dialed it with no expecation of anything but voice mail. Shockingly, a real person answered, was friendly, helpful, and empowered to solve the problem (a setting on my account) which she did immediately. When I called back a couple of weeks later she remembered who I was!. All you need is the courage to explain the issue in French over the phone.....
Erm, it's a bit misleading to say (about France) "they use centigrade here". Actually, everywhere uses centigrade except 2 countries. The US and Liberia who think that the temperature range found in early 18th century Danzig is a perfectly rational way of guaging temperature.
Also, I used to live near Montpellier. From 1994 to 2016. It's an interesting place but too hot in the summer for us now. If you need a good dentist though, I can recommend one but francophone only.
If you live in France full-time, before long you won't need to convert time and temperature. You'll just know them: you'll go outside and think "it's about 5°C" just as you learned to feel whatever the equivalent is in F (after 40+ years in France I'd have to convert it back). 23 heures will feel as natural as 11 PM. But to really learn the lingo, make French friends rather than searching out fellow expats. Speak French all the time, or at least as much as possible. It's the only way.
Haha all true! Although it is always funny to read that that those things still need to be explained to Americans 😂😂 and while many things you mentioned make some logical sense and rational explanation is available (metric system, Celsius, 24 hours etc) I must say the French numerals, for us Europeans, are quite absurd. When you see 93 pronounced as “four times twenty and thirteen” - it is difficult not to burst laughing, even after years of living here. To make it very clear: the French use decimal system for writing, but don’t think of it as such.
The numbers in the nineties always make me smile too. They remind me of my dad’s unnecessarily complicated way of telling the time back in the day: e.g. five and twenty past six, instead of saying 6.25 or twenty five past six.
Merci Carolyn, c’est rare de lire des commentaires aussi sympathique à notre égard, il est vrai que nous ne les méritons pas toujours … bon séjour a Montpellier
Do you ask the same question about immigrants to America? We are integrating into French life, making friends, and adding money to their economy. Soon we will work there and share our vast experience in our fields. We are paying into their social system. I can't speak for the whole of France, but people in Montpellier tend to really like and welcome Americans.
The US did not convert to metric because then prez Reagan stopped it. We were all set with converting and Ronnie did not like the move. Industry as well as science and medicine moved on but the rest of us languish with this antiquated system. Aaaaahhhhhh!
All of this reminds me of a little joke I heard years ago:
1. Rule 1 -- when you go to a foreign country, the first thing you hear will be, or include, a number
2. Rule 2 -- you will not understand the number
There are indeed a lot of number-related challenges when moving to a foreign country! This sums it up well as regards France.
Thanks so much for the alphabet song, metric system and degree diagram. I’m visual so this helps much. My problem is hearing spoken French. Still working on it after 6 years. Ugh!😣😃 -B
So true that it is much easier to reach people on the phone in France than in the US where it is virtually impossible. I (in New York City) recently had a problem with my bank account in Languedoc. At the end of my rope I desperately looked up the branch phone number online and just dialed it with no expecation of anything but voice mail. Shockingly, a real person answered, was friendly, helpful, and empowered to solve the problem (a setting on my account) which she did immediately. When I called back a couple of weeks later she remembered who I was!. All you need is the courage to explain the issue in French over the phone.....
Erm, it's a bit misleading to say (about France) "they use centigrade here". Actually, everywhere uses centigrade except 2 countries. The US and Liberia who think that the temperature range found in early 18th century Danzig is a perfectly rational way of guaging temperature.
Yes, but most our readers are American.
Also, I used to live near Montpellier. From 1994 to 2016. It's an interesting place but too hot in the summer for us now. If you need a good dentist though, I can recommend one but francophone only.
I'd love a good dentist!
If you live in France full-time, before long you won't need to convert time and temperature. You'll just know them: you'll go outside and think "it's about 5°C" just as you learned to feel whatever the equivalent is in F (after 40+ years in France I'd have to convert it back). 23 heures will feel as natural as 11 PM. But to really learn the lingo, make French friends rather than searching out fellow expats. Speak French all the time, or at least as much as possible. It's the only way.
it's coming along slowly. I can now set the oven temperature intuitively in Celsius!
Haha all true! Although it is always funny to read that that those things still need to be explained to Americans 😂😂 and while many things you mentioned make some logical sense and rational explanation is available (metric system, Celsius, 24 hours etc) I must say the French numerals, for us Europeans, are quite absurd. When you see 93 pronounced as “four times twenty and thirteen” - it is difficult not to burst laughing, even after years of living here. To make it very clear: the French use decimal system for writing, but don’t think of it as such.
The numbers in the nineties always make me smile too. They remind me of my dad’s unnecessarily complicated way of telling the time back in the day: e.g. five and twenty past six, instead of saying 6.25 or twenty five past six.
Merci Carolyn, c’est rare de lire des commentaires aussi sympathique à notre égard, il est vrai que nous ne les méritons pas toujours … bon séjour a Montpellier
Thank you
My wife and I will be traveling to France this year. I think I should wear Fuck Trump jerseys so they won't spit in my food.
Not necessary. I think they would be more turned off by a vulgar shirt than who you voted for. :)
why would they want any of us?
Do you ask the same question about immigrants to America? We are integrating into French life, making friends, and adding money to their economy. Soon we will work there and share our vast experience in our fields. We are paying into their social system. I can't speak for the whole of France, but people in Montpellier tend to really like and welcome Americans.
The US did not convert to metric because then prez Reagan stopped it. We were all set with converting and Ronnie did not like the move. Industry as well as science and medicine moved on but the rest of us languish with this antiquated system. Aaaaahhhhhh!
Van Life in South America is rather nice. Freedom without responsibility. 90 days in each country and lots of time in Chile which is lovely.
Helping life in France for English speakers: subscribe to The Local, an online English language daily newsletter, at thelocal.fr
It used to be mainly for Brits, but now also caters to US citizens because so many have moved to France in the last few years.
Yes The Local is wonderful!