2 months, 2 kids, 2 continents (technically)

[MattA]

A small PS to our French experience. So one of the reasons we came to this particular part of France was because my sister and partner have a holiday home here that they have slowly been renovating over the last few years. So we wanted to check out their handiwork and see what attracted them to this area.

Just by chance, a friend of theirs who used to live in the area, but has since relocated back to the UK, was back in town for a few days. They bumped into him at the night market on Thursday and found out he was playing a gig with his band at one of the bars in Duras on Friday night.

So, we came along for a drink and to watch the show. The band were fantastic—they said it’s the first time they’d all played together in 2 years but you wouldn’t know it. They played mostly classic rock and roll covers—Elvis, Chuck Berry, the Stones etc—with a few French rock classics thrown in (never heard any of them before, but the French table in front of us were loving it).



The gig was also a memorial of sorts for the owner of the bar, who had passed away suddenly late last year. A really lovely atmosphere—at times it felt a bit like we had joined a private family party—and a perfect way to round out our France trip.



We’ll be back.

 

[ellen10]

You have certainly had a great time in rural France. Here is a couple of my sunflowers I waded through the field

 

[Pushka]

I agree with you VPS, I love rural France, the villages, the food , beautiful countryside @MattA did you see any paddocks of sunflowers, love them in the summer. Our French friends thought I was crazy as we stopped the car and I waded into the paddock. I will be sad to see you leave France, but looking forward to the next part. Thank you

Slight aside. Ukraine is one of the world's producers of sunflower ergo Sunflower Oil. There was a significant shortage of sunflower oil when we were in UK last month.

 

[RooFlyer]

@MattA wonder if you can help me.

My first trip to France (Paris only), 20+ years ago I didn't enjoy socially as I (with 'schoolboy French', at best) had the 'classic' rude/rip-off experiences with waiters, restaurants etc and general unfriendliness towards the Anglo. It really, really put me off the whole country, although I know Paris was probably the worst place for this type of thing. After that, I had a few business trips to Paris, but was looked after by local colleagues.

Now, I'd really like to have a good look round, especially the historical areas in the south-east. I had one trip back 2 years ago and it wasn't bad but I was reluctant to engage much in fear of having a rude reception. (I assure you I've been to over 90 countries and enjoy socialising and eating out everywhere I go! )

So, a question - in your time there, did you mostly use your (I think) decent French or did you sometimes try English? If the latter, how really was it received? Friendly-and-happy-to-do-business-with-you? Or just a reply in French with stubborn look (I know in rural areas they may not speak much English so its not necessarily rudeness)?

Cut to the chase - if I went to those little cafes, street markets that you did, and first applied my schoolboy French greeting and then English, how would I fare in general do you think? I am just not into being made to feel awkward or embarrassed when I'm just trying to relax and spend money at a place.

Ta.

 

[VPS]

@MattA wonder if you can help me.

My first trip to France (Paris only), 20+ years ago I didn't enjoy socially as I (with 'schoolboy French', at best) had the 'classic' rude/rip-off experiences with waiters, restaurants etc and general unfriendliness towards the Anglo. It really, really put me off the whole country, although I know Paris was probably the worst place for this type of thing. After that, I had a few business trips to Paris, but was looked after by local colleagues.

Now, I'd really like to have a good look round, especially the historical areas in the south-east. I had one trip back 2 years ago and it wasn't bad but I was reluctant to engage much in fear of having a rude reception. (I assure you I've been to over 90 countries and enjoy socialising and eating out everywhere I go! )

So, a question - in your time there, did you mostly use your (I think) decent French or did you sometimes try English? If the latter, how really was it received? Friendly-and-happy-to-do-business-with-you? Or just a reply in French with stubborn look (I know in rural areas they may not speak much English so its not necessarily rudeness)?

Cut to the chase - if I went to those little cafes, street markets that you did, and first applied my schoolboy French greeting and then English, how would I fare in general do you think? I am just not into being made to feel awkward or embarrassed when I'm just trying to relax and spend money at a place.

Ta.

Hi - I'll butt in here although it's now been about 5 years since I was in France. I always start with a little bit of French and I was always treated nicely. Bear in mind that some in deep rural France will have no English so pointing and translate apps are good. Also - make sure they know you're Australian and not American or English and carry lots of cheap cough Aussie souvenirs like key rings and koalas

In Marseille - I asked the waiter Parlez vous Anglais - un peu (a little) OK me deep breath un verre de rouge un verre de blanc.

Waiter - Parlez vous Francais - me un peu - he burst out laughing and spoke in English for the rest of the night

 

[Nukie]

I agree with VPS. Always but always say 'Bonjour' when you go in a shop/restaurant. If you make an effort I've found people will usually be very friendly, especially if they know you're Australian. Most of the younger folk even in the country speak a little English. Don't be frightened of making mistakes, they love it that you're making an effort and there's often someone to help! And remenber 'Merci'.

 

[OATEK]

@MattA wonder if you can help me.

My first trip to France (Paris only), 20+ years ago I didn't enjoy socially as I (with 'schoolboy French', at best) had the 'classic' rude/rip-off experiences with waiters, restaurants etc and general unfriendliness towards the Anglo. It really, really put me off the whole country, although I know Paris was probably the worst place for this type of thing. After that, I had a few business trips to Paris, but was looked after by local colleagues.

Now, I'd really like to have a good look round, especially the historical areas in the south-east. I had one trip back 2 years ago and it wasn't bad but I was reluctant to engage much in fear of having a rude reception. (I assure you I've been to over 90 countries and enjoy socialising and eating out everywhere I go! )

So, a question - in your time there, did you mostly use your (I think) decent French or did you sometimes try English? If the latter, how really was it received? Friendly-and-happy-to-do-business-with-you? Or just a reply in French with stubborn look (I know in rural areas they may not speak much English so its not necessarily rudeness)?

Cut to the chase - if I went to those little cafes, street markets that you did, and first applied my schoolboy French greeting and then English, how would I fare in general do you think? I am just not into being made to feel awkward or embarrassed when I'm just trying to relax and spend money at a place.

Ta.

Not wishing to speak for MattA, but I have at best schoolboy French that does not support conversation, just aides sometimes in ordering etc. Have found ourselves in places where no one speaks English, ordering meals that use the local idiom/terms that can be quite difficult to get your head around. One of my favourites is Far (from Brittany) where we had no idea what it would be, and finished up I ate it at nearly every meal (breakfast and dinner at least for 3 days). Yes sometimes there seems a lack of patience, but overall it has been very rewarding to get out of Paris and explore from Alsace to Normandy, down to Brittany and we have never felt ripped off or subject to particularly rude experiences. And as others have said bonjour / ça va seems to make a world of difference.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks. Something I forgot to say was that I spent a year in Quebec subsequent to my first visit to Paris, so my 'schoolboy French' is really 'adolescent Quebecois' . But I know the basics and also the difference between poutine and poutain

 

[Nukie]

God I hope you know the difference or you could be in a bit of bother!!

 

[ellen10]

I agree with the answers above. As explained to us by our French friends - always say Bonjour when entering a shop or restaurant because it is like entering someone’s home and is curtesy.

A little story when we were at a restaurant in Sarlat, the owner was a bit stand offish, my husband heard him saying something in French to other locals about the English. My husband said no no not Angleterre ! Je suis Australienne ! Ah says he! Wallabies and happily preceded to bring us a bottle of red on the house. We have always found if you try some French language to start with it breaks the ice and the conversing dance is then fun.

 

[OZDUCK]

We have found the same thing as the last few posters. Be very sure to say bonjour at any shops and restaurants before any other interaction. (And of course throw in the merci's and au revoir's afterwards.) I then try to speak my bad French with a strong Australian accent and they are usually so amused, or possibly horrified, at what comes out that they are eager to speak English or use sign 'language'.

But again like the others have said ensure that for any longer interaction they defintely know that you are Australian and not English or American.

A friend of ours is French Canadian and she apparently gets more 'attitude' than us. She is obviously fluent but her French is considered to be not only old fashioned but also containing odd words adopted from other languages (English , First Nations etc) that are not considered to be 'proper' French.

 

[RooFlyer]

She is obviously fluent but her French is considered to be not only old fashioned but also containing odd words adopted from other languages (English , First Nations etc) that are not considered to be 'proper' French.

When the OP has finished, I might add a little story to this. Many thanks all, but that's probably enough for my hijack

 

[MattA]

@MattA wonder if you can help me.

My first trip to France (Paris only), 20+ years ago I didn't enjoy socially as I (with 'schoolboy French', at best) had the 'classic' rude/rip-off experiences with waiters, restaurants etc and general unfriendliness towards the Anglo. It really, really put me off the whole country, although I know Paris was probably the worst place for this type of thing. After that, I had a few business trips to Paris, but was looked after by local colleagues.

Now, I'd really like to have a good look round, especially the historical areas in the south-east. I had one trip back 2 years ago and it wasn't bad but I was reluctant to engage much in fear of having a rude reception. (I assure you I've been to over 90 countries and enjoy socialising and eating out everywhere I go! )

So, a question - in your time there, did you mostly use your (I think) decent French or did you sometimes try English? If the latter, how really was it received? Friendly-and-happy-to-do-business-with-you? Or just a reply in French with stubborn look (I know in rural areas they may not speak much English so its not necessarily rudeness)?

Cut to the chase - if I went to those little cafes, street markets that you did, and first applied my schoolboy French greeting and then English, how would I fare in general do you think? I am just not into being made to feel awkward or embarrassed when I'm just trying to relax and spend money at a place.

Ta.

I’ve definitely tried to speak French whenever I could. But that’s because I wanted to. I’ve got enough to get by in most tourist situations, and there’s always Google Translate if you don’t know a key word.

About half of the time the other person switches to English, which is kind of frustrating when you want to practice, but I think they’re genuinely trying to be nice/helpful.

With only a few minor exceptions everyone we’ve encountered has been friendly and not at all like the stereotype suggests.

Is that because I’ve made an effort to speak French? A post-COVID honeymoon period? The fact that we’ve mostly had two cute little people with us? Or that French people aren’t really as rude to foreigners as the cliché suggests?

Who knows. All I can say is if you want to go, you should. We’ve had an amazing time and I’m sure you will too. As others have said, I think a well placed Bonjour and Merci goes a long way!

 

[Pushka]

I agree with VPS. Always but always say 'Bonjour' when you go in a shop/restaurant. If you make an effort I've found people will usually be very friendly, especially if they know you're Australian. Most of the younger folk even in the country speak a little English. Don't be frightened of making mistakes, they love it that you're making an effort and there's often someone to help! And remenber 'Merci'.

And au revoir Madame/Monsieur when you exit as well regardless of whether you've only looked around. And definitely, as VPS says, you need to establish you are an Aussie.

It's all about the effort and not usually how successful you are at it. Unless you happen to be like National Lampoon and click your fingers and call the waiting staff garcon. I read that people owning stores consider them to be their home extension ( maybe that's changed now) and you'd always say goodbye when leaving someone's home.

 

[drron]

So when I walk into a restaurant in France and in my very school boy french say bonjour, Une table pour deux s'il vous plait. the reply i have always got is -The English menu Monsieur.

 

[MattA]

An early start. Quick stop off at the boulangerie for some final croissants for the journey and we hit the road back to Bordeaux.

At the Hertz counter the really quite rude guy handling returns tells me I have to pay a €70 cleaning fee, which is a new one for me. Not something I’ve encountered at any other rental service around the world. The car is not particularly dirty beyond the normal wear and tear of a two week rental, so I suspect this is simply a nice revenue raiser on Hertz’s part. No one else at the return desk is interested in entering into a discussion, in French or otherwise, and we have no choice but to head into the airport. I’ll be following this one up later.

We’re flying back to London on this BA A320.



I’d already checked in online so just dropped the bags and after that we were fairly swiftly through security and border control and into a crowded holding pen at the gate. We probably should have picked up some snacks for the journey before getting this far, as there are no facilities as such, apart from some dirty toilets and a broken vending machine. Nowhere to fill up the water bottles we’ve just had to tip out before security either and no shop to buy any. Oh well, no going back now as we have already technically left France.

Slumming it in Y for the 90 or so minute hop back to LGW. While there are 7 rows of J on these planes, they’re all just the same Y seats in 3-3 with the middle seat blocked. Which doesn’t make sense to me travelling as a family of 4.

We are in row 9, and in the very last group to board: while waiting there are two confusing announcements. The first tells us that masks are mandatory on board (wait, what? That’s not what the website says… We’ve kind of got out of the habit of always having one to hand after all this time in Europe. Cue mad scramble around in the bags to find some.)

The second announcement tells us that the cabin is full and cabin bags are now being checked. Cue second mad panic. Fortunately it turns out that this is because BA lets you bring two items into the cabin, and they are now checking the larger cases. The small backpack we have with ipads, passports and so on is fine (and when we finally get on board there is plenty of space in the overhead locker to store it). BA luggage allowance is quite generous on these routes, compared to full-on LCCs. Pretty sure a checked bag is included in all fares, but I can understand why people might be trying to bring as much on board as possible, given some of the recent baggage handling woes in the UK.

We are served a complimentary bag of pretzels and bottle of water shortly after take off.



The flight is otherwise uneventful and we touch down in LGW just about on time.





It wasn’t until half way through the flight that I realised that I forgot all about the mask in my pocket and that no one around me is wearing one either.

 

[MattA]

We’re out of LGW pretty swiftly and smoothly too: we can’t use the egates due to having the children with us (although AU passport holders over 12 can otherwise use them). There’s a very long line for all other passports/non-egate entry, but thankfully we are directed to the special assistance/family line which only has one family in front of us. Bags are out before my wife has made it back from the bathrooms with the kids and we’re off.

Standing room only on the first train to Victoria (and a delayed departure, which is, according to a subsequent announcement, due to some unruly passengers having to be removed from the train by British Transport Police). We roll into London just after 12.

We’re at the Novotel London Waterloo for the next week. Thankfully the room is ready for early check-in so time for a quick shower and back out to meet some friends for lunch at Ping Pong Southbank. https://www.pingpongdimsum.com/find-book/

Service is somewhat chaotic but the food is good. And they have robots (sadly not delivering to our side of the restaurant).



The sun is out and the Southbank is heaving.



After lunch we wandered down to the playground near the London Eye so our kids and our friends’ kids could run off some steam, then ducked into a pub for some refreshments.

 

[MattA]

After we say goodbye to our friends we decide to stay out for an early dinner. Opt for the Fire Station pub round the front of Waterloo.

Our walking route there takes us by chance through Leake Street Arches, under the train lines:

 

[MattA]

Burgers at The Fire Station pub are fantastic. Really friendly service too.




But we’re all pretty tired by this point, so time to head back for an early night.

Not a bad view from the end of the street our hotel is in:



And a nice surprise on returning to the room:



A less nice surprise when I tried to get on the wifi. Works fine in the corridor. In the room, not so much:



Hopefully I’ve got enough mobile data to get through the week.

 

[MattA]

London has turned on the weather for us again. We’re up reasonably early and walk over Lambeth Bridge to meet another friend and her kids for breakfast at the only cafe in the area that seems to be open on a Sunday morning: Home | Cafe Society Millbank



We sit outside where it’s almost too hot and we end up chasing the shade.



Kids are happy to play on the nearby art though (black squiggly thing on the left below).



From there, we jump on the Thames Clipper at nearby Millbank pier for a quick jaunt down the river: Thames River Cruises & London Boat Trips - Uber Boat by Thames Clippers



Would definitely recommend this if you’re in London. It’s integrated with Oyster so you can just tap on and off (not part of daily capping for Z1 though; it just takes the charge from your credit—£7.70 for a single journey in the central zone). 3yo travels free and I just book at ticket on the app for 8yo, who travels for half price.