Parlez vous francais?, Paris

The fact that there is for Paris, most popular destination in EU, a tip group "Parlez-vous français? on local customs with 117 reviews mostly by Anglophones, shows that many visitors in Paris feel, maybe in their subconscious, somewhat uneasy not speaking French.
They see the splendors of Paris and would like to know a bit more about the French culture or just be able to exchange a few words with the taxi driver or the waiter at the restaurant and there is the barrier of the language.

My congratulations to all those who start with "bonjour" instead of "Hi"; most observed that this makes things easier in Paris.

Now between speaking French and writing it there is a serious gap. French grammar and spelling is quite difficult because there is not a rule in French without many exceptions.
This difficulty has also an advantage for the foreigner; many Frenchmen, even university students, are unable to write French correctly!

1) It is customary to say bonjour/ bonsoir (you can use google translate if you want to know how to pronounce them), as well as merci et au revoir when you enter/leave a shop/restaurant. Everyone you meet will do the same thing, so please do the same, with a smile pls, as courtesy. It makes everyone's day happier.

2) Cab drivers usually only speak French, so prepare a slip of paper with the address you want to go to as a guide in case you need it. Don't expect them to understand even if you say the place's name only; you may not pronounce it correctly the way the french do. (eg. Eiffel tower = Tour Eiffel - too ee fell) Learn how to pronounce the important places' names you have to go to, like Gare D'Austerlitz, Gare Montparnasse, Champ Elysees etc.

Perhaps the most important thing in Paris is to observe 'la politesse'.
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ALWAYS start with 'Bonjour Madame/ Mademoiselle/ Monsieur.' And say 'Au revoir' Madame/ Mademoiselle/ Monsieur' as you leave the store. I have learned through many visits that the French formality is cultural, rather than a coolness towards outsiders.

It is often said that Parisians are rude...I have never met a rude Parisian.
What is most important in Paris is etiquette.
DO NOT try to speak anyone before greeting them..."bonjour, monsieur/madame"...after that you can ask a question and you will most likely get more help than you expected.

It is also helpful to learn the phrase "do you speak English" in French.
This lets the local know that you are at least interested in trying to communicate in the language.
Most everyone speaks some English in Paris these days...so learning French is not a necessity. But using the simple greetings... Bonjour or Merci (thank you) au revoir (goodbye) will make you less of an "ugly American".
A small Paris/French dictionary is also useful in deciphering menus!

As with any country in which the native language is foreign to you, take the time to learn a few key phrases in French before you depart. This will go a long way, trust me. You show respect for their culture (something that many tourists ignore) by making the effort to use their language.
Learning how to say "Do you speak english?" ("Parlez-Vous anglais?" Par-lay voo ahhng-lay) in French shows respect for their language. They will appreciate it.
When entering a store, shop, or restaurant, you will most likely be greeted with a "Bonjour!" (Hello!) or "Bonsoir" (Good evening/night). It is customary for you to reply, and if they do not realize that you don't speak french, they may think you are being rude if you do not reply. Simply reply back what they said to you (Bonjour or Bonsoir), and say "Merci" (Thank you) when you are finished a transaction.

My first-time trip to Paris went without a hitch, probably because I made the effort to speak my pathetic excuse of French to everyone I encountered. Contrary to popular belief that Parisians are snobbish towards anyone who doesn't speak English, bullocks I say!

I will usually approach policemen/women or officers like soldiers ( patrolling parks and tourist attractions like La Tour Effiel), staff at the ticket or information counter or any passer-by with a nice,willing face...

I will first greet them " Bonjour madame/monsieur/mademoiselle or Excusez-moi", and ask "Pouvez-vous m'aider, s's vous plait?" ( Can you help me please?" They will then give you their fullest attention with "Oui." Then you can launch into " Parlez vous anglais?" ( Do you speak English?" This never fails to let get me all the help I needed. I had never encountered a Parisian that has refused to help me.

Parisians will either reply " A little bit" or "Non (No)" and then proceed to provide help/ give directions in perfectly good and understandable English. Its Amazing! Even if they really could not speak English, they will find someone (colleague, friend) can speak it to help you or just provide hand gestures when giving directions.

You end off with "Merci / Merci beacoup and au revior" and voila! you will be on your merry way to wherever it is you are going. Parisians are really a helpful bunch and the service staff are quite friendly as well, speaking to you in English ( in tourist places like the Galeries Lafayette) when you have at least made an attempt to speak French.

Other useful phrases which will do wonders in getting you by:
C'est combien? ( How much?) although when the staff rattles off the price in French, I often gave them a blank look and I looked at the cashier price display instead. hahah.
Je suis de sole mais je ne comprends ( I'm sorry but I don't understand)
Au Secours! ( Help!)
L'addition, svp ( The bill, pls)
Je voudrais..... s'il vous plait) ( I would like ..... please)
Ou est le ( Where is the ....)

I use these two phrases all the time when I want to buy something or ask for directions. I started off with these French phrases then I inserted whatever nouns I needed ( sometimes in English, just tried it with a French pronounciation. haha)

"Je voudrais ... Meal Combo 5" ( and i'd show the number 5 with my fingers", at a fastfood restaurant)
"Ou est le .... toilettes ( toilets)
"Je voudrais .... deux cafes ( two coffees)
"Ou est le.... La Tour Eiffel"

Try speaking French in France and you'd enjoy the your travelling experience even more! I actually kinda miss speaking it when I'm back home..

So before I went to Paris, I was briefed by my close friend (and semi-guide for our trip) about the importance of attempting to speak French. It was the whole "when in Rome" lecture...and he was right. Without a doubt, I got better service, kinder reactions, and more worthwhile directions when I spoke (or more often than not, attempted to speak) French.

I'll say that I've not encountered that to this extreme before. Normally I'll try and mutter my way through a sentence then collapse into some sort of half English, half guidebook grammar, but in Paris it was different. I tried, and tried hard. It paid off.

As my friend said, French people are not rude, they are proud and shy. The are proud of their culture and lifestyle, of their language, and they should be! Not many travelers nowadays realize that before English was the "official language of the modern world" it was French. The French remember this. We should as well.

So take some time before you leave and download one of those free podcasts of French lessons. I promise it will help you out.

i have heard people say condescendingly that its not really essential to speak french in paris, as most people speak english.. yeah well, we would not like it if they came into our country and started rattling off in french either. it is nice to preface every query with excusez moi-m'sieur/madame, parlez vous anglais?? they then open up a whole lot more and are a truly friendly and helpful people.i really dont know much of francais- but i frenchified a lot of english words and got a lot of amused looks, but they really appreciated the fact that i made the effort and were very tolerant of my guaranteedly stupendous errors.it helps to have a laugh at oneself , once in a while too.