Showing appreciation and being polite is a good skill to have in any country but in France, it is as common as eating baguettes and sometimes more than just optional. Some French lessons will have taught you that the conditional is the polite conjugation. Keep that in mind, along with the following which are some common situations and expressions:
To show your appreciation
vous êtes très gentils(les); mais c'est gentil; c'est très gentil etc.
In France, niceties seem to go a long way. Even if you consider somebody as 'just doing their job', in France, people seem to understand how shitty certain jobs can be and so the use of encouraging and sympathetic expressions are quite normal. On a more self-interested note, if you want to accomplish more, even feigned politeness will accomplish more than just being mean and pushy.
To say "you're welcome"
je vous (t') en pries: this is a very useful one and is often used in place of de rien - which can still be used - to say you're welcome. It is super polite.
*However, it should be noted that this expression, if not said with the right tone, can easily become an expression of extreme exasperation and annoyance.
To make someone feel comfortable
il n'y a pas de souci: "y'a pas de souci" is how it will actually sound in the spoken. This can be translated into what I heard many times and decided was a very Vancouver thing "no worries".
To say you're sorry
Je suis désolé
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2 comments:
These are good suggestions, having travelled in France for the first time recently, I was surprised as to how polite and helpful the French people were. While we looked at a map people would stop on the street and ask if we needed any help with directions.
It's very true Mike. Contrary to their reputation, I also found the French to be very polite and helpful! I once stopped a waiter to ask for directions but I do admit I was a little rude. He had to remind me that in France, as formalities, we must say "pardonnez-moi", "bonjour" and "s'il vous plaît" before asking a question. Put me in my place, but he still smiled and gave me directions.
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