bleedin french laws

[Simon_100]

Just subscribed to "The Spanish Biker" - great site, reminded me of two recent tours of Spain and why I will be touring there again next year.
Thanks for the info and effort that you have put into it.

Thanks matey, it's alway heartening to get positive feedback!

Back on language issues - re Billy's tyre issue. Beware of slang or idiosyncratic use. In Spain the term 'rueda' (wheel) is also used as a synonym for tyres - it took me years of wondering why so many second hand bikes seemed to be advertised with new 'wheels' the roads/trails aren't that bad! (thumbs)

Ray's story also reminds me of a time years ago when I had to change my holiday at short notice - an interview for a job in Matla and interviewed by the Ambassador now less - didn't get it! - leaving Mrs S to drive to Spain all on her lonesome, she speaks German and Spanish but French absolute zero. But as I said, if you walk into a hotel reception you're not going to ask for an elephant gun* now are you!

Regs

Simon
* well maybe if you were in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, etc. :whistle:

[ollydog]

but sometime you feel like it si

steve

[Moto Bikemad]

Am in France at the minute, having a ball.
I have an IRL sticker on the back of the bike, even though it should be a GB one, no stickers on lid, and no hi vis anywhere, just tell them you are from Ireland and all is good. Have a go at the language and be polite,

[AndyB]

Even late in the evening I can still order 2 beers in German, smile and say thank you.

I've come to the conclusion with no hard facts to back it up that Austrians speak better English than Germans outside of major cities but that may be because they get pissed off with my feeble attempts a lot quicker (thumbs)

[-Ralph-]

..............
Though once in Spain a member of staff did ask if I wanted the Salon as they where serving lunch, but the penny did drop when they rubbed their belly and pointed to their mouth

(thumbs)

I had one (only one!) bad experience with the French. I was skiing with 9 others in France and we stopped at a piste restaurant. I was in front and asked the guy at the reception dias if we need to find a place or be seated. He replied in a very sarcastic manner, "don't you speak French". I replied "No. I speak reasonable German and and am currently at night school learning Spanish." He then said, that's OK then. I said "No it's not, stick your restaurant where the sun don't shine". I told my jaw dropped friends we were going somewhere else and we left.

I have to emphasise that this is the ONLY time in many months of touring and visiting France that I have come across anything like this. All my other experiences have been warm and friendly and on the whole I like the French. I do agree that they are a tad more friendly the further South you go.

The belly rub thing works for me too. As does a few or the usual polite words for hello, goodbye etc. No one gives a sh1t if you screw up as long as you try.
As far as I am concerned, the biggest asset that anyone could use in any situation is a big smile. You can get away with just about anything if you look approachable and happy.

Like others have said above, it is difficult for us Brits to speak another European language, not that most of them are difficult (besides French perhaps) but that there are just so many of them and, are we better to learn a bit of all of them or one reasonably well.
I for one, now speak (despite my age !) fair German and Spanish but often when I formulate sentences in my head, I insert German words in Spanish senteneces and vice versa.

It's sad but true (and convenient for us) that English is now the common language, especially in commerce, but that does not mean we are all lazy, it's just more difficult for us as we already speak the common tongue. :unsure:

Very true that the smile is international!

As for a little of many languages, or a master of one, it depends what you want to do with your language skills. If you want to travel little of many is certainly true. If you want to a language to become useful, have a conversation rather than just navigation and restaurants, then it takes a certain fluency before the language actually becomes useful.

Many Brits say they speak a language, but in truth what they know is how to ask for things and exchange information. Having a conversation with a native about any deeper subject is an entirely different kettle of fish.

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[Old Git Ray]

Even late in the evening I can still order 2 beers in German, smile and say thank you. ........

Mine gets better in the evening....... especially after a few beers..... or so I think... :whistle:

[Old Git Ray]

...........

Many Brits say they speak a language, but in truth what they know is how to ask for things and exchange information. Having a conversation with a native about any deeper subject is an entirely different kettle of fish.

So true.

Many years ago whist based in Germany, I raced motocross and knew (still do really) all the major compnoents of a 2 stroke engine in German. When I orderd parts in my best German the parts guy would then look it up in an English parts book. Doh!

[BigBashBonanza]

Even late in the evening I can still order 2 beers in German, smile and say thank you. ........

Mine gets better in the evening....... especially after a few beers..... or so I think... :whistle:

Your days from B.A.O.R perhaps Ray.....?

[-Ralph-]

Even late in the evening I can still order 2 beers in German, smile and say thank you. ........

Mine gets better in the evening....... especially after a few beers..... or so I think... :whistle:

Lol! Alcohol certainly helps!

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[Scott_rider]

I have two sentences that always work for me when I'm in France. I firstly say in French "I am very sorry for my poor French", that usually breaks the ice and then when they reply I say in French "I understand but could you speak a little slower please". That usually does the trick and they either switch straight to English or speak in almost schoolroom French. As others have said, I think they appreciate that some effort has been made (thumbs)