I took French classes for two years before arriving and then continued in France. My language school is in the mayor's office and they're free. I've been to hospital and the treatment was outstanding and everyone was kind and patient.
I started learning French 2 years ago. I've have my times of elation and depression, eagerness and excitement followed by abandoning the idea and then crawling back to listening and reading.. Forcing myself to continue. I have improved. I can understand and speak it. I'm no specialist but i can manage.
how can you think one second that you can live in any country without speaking the local language ? That's probably the number one mistake the English speaking people (UK, US etc.) are doing, they do believe English is spoken everywhere and that's obviously wrong. But the worst is that some of these people are rude because they CONSIDER everyone should speak English ... last but not least, especially with the English community, they often stay together and don't mix with the locals ... I know that for a fact, I live in the south west of France where there is the biggest English community in France and they are often critisising the country they live in. What's the point in living in a country if you don't want to do any effort to be integrated ...
I didn't come to France to integrate. I came for peace,quiet and tranquility. I understand enough French to be polite but I couldn't have a conversation. But that doesn't bother me as I like my own space. I say good morning,ask how people are,can talk about the weather and basic stuff and for me that's enough. I'd never even said bonjour before I came to France. I'm 66 years old and have tried to speak more French. But try as I might,I just can't get it. That's obviously not helped by not socialising with French speakers. Being able to speak French is important if you want to work or want to socialise. But if you lead a solitary life the everyday polite basics are enough.
My wife and I are moving to Nice. We have been researching it for four years and have hired a conceirge to assist with some of the technical issues of citizenship. My wife lived and studied in Paris for a year. She is fluent in French and a retired French teacher. She is teaching me French. We have a good retirement income. We are in our sixties and active for our age. I would just say, research, prepare well and get expert help.
When a foreigner, especially an English speaker, speaks to me directly in English. I act stupid and don't say a single word of English. However, I speak it, not perfectly. But I understand it very easily. When you speak your language every day without saying a word of English, the first words in English don't come out so easily. Especially if you want to have the right accent. I have a secret to give to English speakers who come to France and all over the world. Never speak your language directly. Be polite and respectful. Say hello in the local language. apologize for not speaking the local language and then ask if your interlocutor can speak English. So you will have much more of the person you are talking to! It's so simple, but too many people forget it.
Interesting video. I'm American. My wife is German but has lived in the US most of her adult life. She still has family there and as we’re old farts, we plan on retiring in a couple of years and moving to Europe. She'd prefer Germany but I'd prefer France for a number of reasons. I took French in school from 1st grade through 12th grade, and while school French doesn’t really prepare you for the real world, at the end, we were reading classic French literature and had to write reports (in French, obviously) about the books. I also had four years of German in high school (at the same time as my last four years of French). But that was all over 40 years ago, and I don’t get much chance to communicate in either. When I test in French, I come out pretty low, like an A2 because my spelling is atrocious and I'm terrible at those “fill in the blank with the word” questions - even in English. My wife speaks pretty fluent German (it IS her mother tongue, though in school, she started in American schools in Germany so she never STUDIED German), but zero French. I was last in France (Paris, actually) two years ago right before Christmas. I had a number of interesting conversations in French, like speaking to the flight attendant on the way back to LA from CDG about our failing #2 engine (I had to look up “jet engine” on Google Translate before starting the conversation). Sadly, the word for “swimming” completely escaped me and was somewhere in the ether. I also had to ask about getting a replacement laptop charger at an FNAC, and the woman there (who spoke no English) actually complimented me on my French. And while they didn’t have them in stock, they could order one from one of their third parties and it would take about a week and a half to get, by which time I'd already have been in Germany. She DID take pity on me and gave me a flyer for a battery place that might have them; they did, and I bought one there, even though the guy tried to talk me out of it and said they’re very expensive (but I'd left mine at home so I couldn’t go 3 weeks without a charger). I also did well enough to buy some suppositories for my wife (had to look THAT one up, too - fun having a conversation about constipation in a foreign language), and to buy some COVID tests (which sadly, turned out positive - yeah, I got COVID in Paris). I can read most things; the time before in 2019, I picked up a French magazine at the lounge in CDG and could understand the article about the politics of some beverage company opening up a factory in France. But MUCH harder to speak… as I like to joke, tous les mots sont perdu. (Yeah, the joke is “perdu” and not “oublier” like they weren’t merely forgotten but got lost on their own accord) And fast spoken French is quite literally a different language altogether, and they might as well be speaking Russian. As for expectations, I don’t find France really any different than LA or Berlin or anywhere else. They’re PLACES, and people live there, and people do the same things. Yeah, there are cultural differences, like ALWAYS saying hello when you walk into a store in France. But considering that some grocery stores here make you pack your own bags and others have people who do it for you, that's really no different than the types of differences in France (or Germany). I get annoyed when people stand on the left of escalators, too. There's a lot to like about France, like
I find some of the comments here to be self-righteous and self-congratulatory with little empathy or understanding of how difficult it is to integrate into another country where your knowledge of the local language is basic. We moved to France 6 months ago and it hasn’t been easy. Navigating simple daily tasks takes twice as long let alone finding a new home or trying to understand the bureaucratic process. It’s exhausting and often there is little time or energy left to study. I speak 3 other languages and thought I could pick up French easily but after dealing with so many other issues, I have little motivation. For the most part, the French have been endlessly patient, helpful and understanding. I am very grateful for their kindness. Once the dust has settled, we hope to have more space in our lives for language learning.
Totally agree and understand how you feel. In the past I really tried. Really tried. I spent hundreds on various CDs and courses. I worked here in France but on my own as a builder. I listened to French tapes and CDs during the day,I listened to the radio, I listened to CDs when driving,watched French TV,even went to bed with French CDs playing. I'm reasonably intelligent and usually quick to learn. But I never could and still can't get to grips with it. I can speak the polite every day basics but that's about it. It bothers others more than it bothers me. I lead a solitary life and apart from a friendly bonjour and smile I'm not interested in engaging or as so many other commentators keep saying ”intergrating". But if you do want to integrate,you will need to speak a certain amount of French😉😁. Good luck. French is not easy😂
@@motohobo Sorry to hear that. I',m sure you can succeed at learning French. I do a free trial class. Perhaps you'd be interested in meeting me so that I can explain the contents and how I go about teaching French.
Sorry to hear that. I never meant for this video to be seen so many times, it just happened by accident. Perhaps I would have said things differently if I'd known. I was expecting 5 people to see it at the most! I myself have had to integrate in 2 countries and have a fair idea of the challenges. I'm in the US now and it's still not over. I'm a lot kinder than I might seem on video 😊
Very important information here. I see the same FB posts of those who believe they can "pick up" French just by living here or become fluent using Duolingo. I studied French consistently and seriously, in group and private classes, for 25 years before moving to France, and I STILL struggle with things like phone calls involving technical information (like utilities, medical vocabulary). The hubris I read on FB from those moving here without any knowledge of the language, astounds me. I live in a city with large hospitals and lots of doctors, very few of whom speak English. Only one person in my pharmacy speaks any English. My guardian doesn't speak English. My best advice to all considering a move abroad: Start taking French lessons with a real, live person asap.
I wonder how well the "Lost Generation" of Americans in Paris spoke French (Stein, Hemingway, et al.). As an American in the US, I had a female French boss for several years (married to an American) who sometimes got frustrated speaking English and would burst out with "On va parler français!"
@@ouicommunicate She was joking, but yes, even though her English was very good. She had a graduate degree from an American university. But still spoke with a strong accent, maybe knowing that Americans think French accents sound "sophisticated".
Great video - replace French with any other language in any other country and the expats fall into the same trap over and over again. Loved the simplicity of the insight.
Bonjour, Chris. I'm American. I studied French for 8 years when I was in school. Not having used it much for the following 40 years, I've obviously forgotten all but a few words and phrases. My husband and I have set a 24-month goal to retire, and we've begun studying in earnest -- reading, speaking, listening, even joined a local french-speaking group -- in an effort not only to speak French, but to understand what is being said to us. Fortunately, my brain is retrieving much of the language I thought was long-gone from memory, but comprehension is just as important as speaking. In my opinion, understanding native French speakers is more difficult than speaking the language myself. I will never understand why anyone moves to a country without making any attempt to learn the language. It's a bit arrogant, honestly. As far as retirement locations, well... many of the villages in France are stunningly beautiful and quaint, but it's easy to see how isolation could really become a problem in many ways. We're looking at buying an apartment in a smaller city, such as Tours. Access to doctors and emergency care is a bit easier, services are more abundant, and there's a relatively decent-size English-speaking expat community throughout the Loire Valley (helpful in making friends). We've also decided to keep our house in the U.S. for ease of visiting family, as well as the possibility of life going sideways in France. At least we'll have a place to come back to if we need it. I really appreciated hearing the stories you told in this video. Every potential expat (especially retirees) should watch it and seriously consider the opinions and thoughts you've shared. Merci!
Great video! We moved here a year ago from the States; it was for reasons across the spectrum but far least of all emotional or the food. I had 8 yrs of school french and 8 visits over the years and my husband studied it for 8 mos daily before we left. In our 1st 6 mos here we had to navigate a health crisis, dental crisis and getting X-rays for long stay visas, most via telephone calls. The difficulty of telephone calls and just getting hung up on if you dont speak a language WELL ENOUGH cannot be underestimated. Your relationship better be hell-a stable if one of you is going to be the only one making the phone calls for a while….If you want to test how well you think you will do, learn sign language, plug your ears and try communicating only that way with your SO for ALL THINGS for a month or 2 before you make a decision. It’s closer to reality than you may think.
I agree. Even though my French is decent, I dread answering the phone in French when we are there visiting his sister. Going to the bank there is also difficult if you need to speak to a customer representative because I swear they enjoy being unhelpful. My theory about speaking & reading French is get a very good French teacher & study. Force yourself to speak. Listen to podcasts. Read articles written at a high-level in French.
@@yogisurfrunner1925That should be: " Quel cauchemar". If you must speak - and write- French or any other language, it's best to make sure you do it properly. There are dictionaries to help you and, these days of course, there's Google. Just check. Banks in France may be a nightmare to you, but at least they don't close at 3 pm. And, oh... try asking for a mortgage - not a loan, no: a mortgage - when 60 plus in the UK. In France, you can.
I just bought a small townhome in Montmorillon, La Cite de l’Ecrit,” but I’ve been studying French my entire life off and on. Since age 12, then in high school and majored in it in college (and at the Sorbonne et l’Ecole du Louvre pendant une annee scolaire) and have visited multiple times through the ensuing decades. I have just spent my first two weeks in my new home. Definitely helps to speak the language fairly well, but I couldn’t say I’m totally fluent or bilingual. It really helps though and sometimes I’m reading and I forget what language I’m in (English or French). 😊 p s I’m an American.
My 82 year old father went on a tour of Normandy and fell, breaking both of his arms. The people of Bayeau were lovely and the few English speakers in town came to the hospital (more like a clinic if you ask me) to help translate daily. There is very little English in some of these smaller cities. Like almost none. I had to fly over there and coordinate multiple surgeries and an air evacuation. Thank God he had good travel insurance. If you’re in Paris, there is a fair amount of English but let me tell you, not in the hinterlands. And what passes for medical care can be very rough. His surgeries all needed to be redone in the US. Great food. Some wonderful people but think twice if you need good medical or have no French.
You amaze me. I have lived in France for 28 years, and have always found the healthcare to be first class. Of course, US doctors WOULD claim it was less than perfect: they're only interested in making money.
I've been helping refugees here in Montpellier. If they can make it without a euro and not even knowing the latin alphabet, you can too. Now i can confirm that all will depend on how fast you learn the language. So start learning now, watch french tv news.
Interesting point of view. As a French citizen, I am always puzzled by people without real exposure to French who want to settle in France. There are no real self contained expat ghettos in France I can think of, even in Paris, or the Riviera. France is not Monaco, or even Dubai, or the UAE. At the other end of the spectrum, France doesn't have the equivalent of the all-British caravan parks for pensionners on the Spanish cuestas, or of the US pensionner villages in Mexico. In France, you cannot be an "expat'. You are first an immigrant and you have to integrate into French society. It becomes more difficult to make new friends as you get older and French sociabilty doesn't include the superficial chumminess with small talk you find in the Anglo-Saxon world. Beyond the language obstacles, too many prospective "expats" are stuck in an imaginary 1950's France. Too much fantasy about the "French village" . Much of rural France is ghastly, with scant services, and lots of empty remote places. When you fantasise about the village you saw on an Nice summer day with plenty of activity, imagine what it may be like in mid-February, when it takes you weeks to get a dentist appointment. I also suspect there are purely economic reasons behind wanting to live in France : British working class families priced out of the UK property market, aging Americans scared of their future healthcare costs... There are also political reasons , for instance ' liberal' Americans who imagine Europe is a liberal paradise, while populism is well on the rise everywhere...
I loved the sentence "Beyond the language obstacles, too many prospective "expats" are stuck in an imaginary 1950's France." Not to be too cruel with France, but it does seem to be resting on laurels earned long, long ago. In its innocence, a lot of America still seems to consider France a "big player" as if it was still 1945. France has the philosophers and the writers but as we say in French "ca commence a remonter". Is France still a disruptor or an influencer today on the world stage? When did France last send waves across the world? Perhaps it is, in less visible fields. This being said, I do like France and am anxious to show it to me American wife. Thanks for your input, I learned a few things.
@@ouicommunicate Nobody who lives in France wants to permanantly move to America. Lots of people in America want to move out of America and France is an option. However, as you've noted you probably need to speak French. Many people move to America, have lived here for 20 years and still speak poorly. The US doesn't have an official language. Also AI language solved written and very important communication moments.
Interesting insights. I certainly see prospective immigrants to France think that it's just an amazing place to be gay or transgender without considering the fact that a large percentage of France's population believe in the creation of a caliphate. However, as an American I don't consider any part of France to be "remote" due to the number of people per sq km or mile compared to the US. Sure, one could say that there are social deserts in France where expected or normal levels of service are scant, that is true. After having worked in Paris area for a few years now, I will say that the French here really do have a "village" mentality at times, especially in large French businesses. Within these so-called international envrionments, I felt that since I was not natively French, I surely was not favored (some being openly bigoted against me) because I represented the immigrant threat to France and the company, which they viewed as a vessel for their heritage.
@@SurpriseMeJT Oh yes definitely. People do forget that far Right comes in second place at every presidential election, with Far Left being just as extreme. That's close to 50% of the country. Yes, when you drive through smaller towns they are indeed deserted. I mean even I get corrected and at times congratulated by the "real" French as if it were quite a circus trick I was performing by speaking the language.You get the well-thinking Euro political commentators tut-tuting at the rise of "Trumpism" when the debates I've seen on French TV are far more farcical. Thanks for stopping by and watching, and of course for the comment!
Chris, I appreciate your perspective very much. I have lived in Spain when I was in my 20s. It is my heritage and I adapted extremely easily to the culture. I intend to obtain my Spanish citizenship and spend time there. I had contemplated moving there permanently until I developed some significant health issues. I would need to determine a number of things before making such a big change, even with my comfort with the culture and my fluency. But, as you pointed out, there are a number of factors to consider. I am shocked repeatedly by people, most notably Americans, Canadians and Brits, who move to Europe without even initiating language study. 😳😳😳 Crazy! Ive even heard Brits criticize the Spanish for not speaking English, obviously ignorant of Spanish history and the fact that many Spaniards speak multiple languages, maybe just not English. I’ve spent a good amount of time in France too and studied French there. I hope to return. I’ll begin my studies of French soon as I’ve lost my fluency. Our enjoyment increases with knowing the language. Thank you!
I'm on some of those facebook groups for expats in France (I live in a Paris suburb). The posts people make, such as those who desire moving to France are so, so, so ignorant (stupid). People want to move to France to escape this or that in the USA believing that what they are escaping somehow doesn't exist in France, or that a lot of conveniences in the US do not exist in France. Very few of these prospective immigrants speak any French. With regards to the delusions and romanticism of France, I don't think I had any of those things. What I like about France, is that it's a place with an identity and with it, meaning. It's also got a lot of old stuff, old building and I love the fact that it's slower paced (likely due to bureaucracy and labor laws), even knowing that their business suffers competitively because of this. I'm good with this at this point of my life. Those who want to "work hard, play hard" can and if you don't, you'll still survive. In America, you're in survival mode 100% of the time to keep your head above water. Been there, done that and I value my time and health too much to continue that path.
I agree. I actually joined some of these groups as a way of finding potential customers. The situation is impossible to solve, so I left. It's a recurrent picture in which one encourages the other while at the same time completely embedded in delusion. Literally cannot be helped. America has its faults obviously, but then again it has the advantage of offering a lot more variety in terms of industries and careers. I think we also have to look at the effects of the European social safety net on inventiveness and resourcefulness. Bit cruel perhaps but when was the last time that France was relevant on a world scale?
Very well done, thank you! I am dedicated to learning at minimum solid A2 before I immigrate to France in mid-2025, working at it at least one hour a day, typically double that. I will not be buying a home in France - my retirement funds are modest; I will be renting. But lord help anyone who thinks - in France, the US, or anywhere - that this older woman will sit down and take shiite from anyone about anything. 😉
Well done! 😀 Thanks for watching the video and for commenting. (pssst... from me to you - don't tell anyone ouicommunicate.com/how-much-does-it-cost/ )
Have you looked at the reality of trying to rent in France? The laws there are very pro-tenant, thereby making it very difficult for a landlord to evict a tenant who has fallen behind on rental payments. Landlords usually require a signed employment contract with an employer. Then, there’s the rental contract itself. You must be able to read it. For example, tenants may be required to Pat certain fees at the end of a lease term. An A2 level probably won’t be enough to set up a bank account, which isn’t at all easy, buy or rent a car, have utilities turned on & so forth. I’m not saying this to simply be negative, but one must be linguistically, culturally, financially & socially prepared before moving to France. It is a very different place than the US.
Yes. I’ve been married to a 🇫🇷 guy for a very long time & we go back & forth. Since we obviously spend most of our time there with family and friends, I’m very aware of the need for a solid grasp of French in order to navigate business & health issues there. My husband says he’s lived in the US so long that France frustrates him because of interactions with government agencies which love to say ‘no.’ Even the language has changed a bit. People don’t realize how difficult it is to adjust or re-adjust. After 3 hours at a typical 🇫🇷 dinner party, I feel like my head will explode with trying to communicate on an educated level. I’d recommend B2 at a minimum.
Amazing that most folks in Europe are bilingual and yet the French, not so much. It is understandable that American's aren't bilingual given the location and size of the country. 50 states in the US all speak English whereas in Europe countries the size of individual American states all have different languages so of course Europeans are going to know other languages. It is just logistics.
My wife and I intend on retiring in France. Not sure where yet but we are planning a few long trips to cities like Montpellier, Toulouse, Antibes, Menton and others to figure it out. My father was born in Bordeaux but I can only speak French in a few phrases at this point. But I do intend to take French lessons before we actually retire. Just found out my wife is a French citizen . She was born in Canada, came to the U.S. in the 70s, and became an American citizen. Her parents were French and declared her and her brothers years ago but never told her till a few days ago. So I think, but not sure, if that will make getting visas or residency easier or not. Anyway, thanks for the info in this video as it confirms that my intention of learning as much French as I can and integrating as much as I can will increase my likelihood of success. BTW, I love the basses you have in the background. I'm also a bass player.
A bass player ! haha yes that's the acoustic. The red one is a cheap Indian model that I bought in th0e UK, a Sunn Mustang. I had the guitar so I wanted the matching bass. Regarding the Visas, my mum told me of a friend who was a native speaker of French who wanted to move to France from Belgium and was refused cause they didn't believe he knew French. I think you will have to prove a decent level of French which might even be B1. Any classes needed, I'll be all too happy.
My son is in that position as his dad is French. He registered him at the French Embassy in DC when he was born & we made sure to enroll him in a French international school so he’d be bilingual. He applied for his 🇫🇷 passport last year & because he was registered, he had his passport within a few months. As the 🇺🇸 wife of a 🇫🇷 guy, I can tell you that you will be able to obtain a long stay visa if married for a specified period of time, but you’ll have to pass a language test and be financially secure. You can also apply to be a citizen of 🇫🇷 from here in the US, based on the marriage & other factors.
It astounds me why British Expats who are on TH-cam who speak very little French ,go ahead and move to France. They live there, and still after many years,have not taken French lessons and have trouble to communicate with doctors & medical staff & physios. I find it somewhat arrogant that Brits expect others to speak English. You really need fluency in French,for both written and oral communications . I accept that my French Canadian accent ( which evolved from old Norman French spoken by illiterate colonists of the 1600s ) might illicit a smirk from a French citizen ,and I’ll likely be asked what country I come from. Wearing a Canadian flag lapel pin helps since older French citizen know & appreciate that the Canadian Army fought the Nazis and liberated many towns throughout France. There will always be certain people who will mock a foreigner, but they might not know that I understand they are ridiculing me. The point is I can communicate with them regardless of a Québecois accent. You really need to make local friends to force yourself to listen to the local sounding French because not everyone speaks with a Parisian accent. The speed with which they speak is the difficult part. Asking the person with whom you are speaking to please speak a bit slower might appear to them to be rude, however ,if you explain that you have trouble comprehending when people speak fast, they might slow down for a minute or two but often they’ll revert to speed talking again since it really is a cultural thing. Sadly some people do not have much ability as adults to learn languages . They massacre the language,largely because they do not learn the verb tenses, or the gender of nouns. Very often they just don’t understand certain words or don’t have the ability to hear that they are not pronunciating words correctly . Current French has many more contractions than 50 years ago, so if you think that the French you learned in highschool in the 1960s will suffice in 2024, think again. Some of the easiest French to understand is the beautifully spoken French spoken by citizens of African countries .
Wow thanks for the input ! Very interesting. This reminds me of an American who has channel on youtube and shares her experience in France. One time she marveled at the presence of a snail on the pavement. (or was it a caterpillar? can't remember) complete coo-coo land. It's crazy to me too.
Verb tenses,noun gender? No idea what you're talking about😂. In all seriousness,most English speakers speak English poorly and have no idea of correct grammar. They stand very little chance of speaking French well and correctly.
I enjoyed this vid. I don’t know what method you were speaking about. I agree that people need to able to communicate in French if you are going to live there. It’s important to integrate. We recently returned from vacay in France. We had a great time. I don’t romanticize about things, so we just had fun w/o worrying too much. We skipped every attraction with a line. My fav thing was riding bikes in Paris and again in Nice. I’m a great home cook and trained chef so eating out was fun. Only one lady was rude but she was rude to everyone. I can always pick up on tone and I know how to spot scumbags who try to take advantage of others and will not tolerate it.
Great plan ! The method is a Franco-French transfer of their language without knowing how an English speaker processes language. In what I do, there is the advantage of being understood as such.
@@batgirlp5561 As an American, I can say that the USA is a very different animal. If you are say, a non-English speaking Korean and you move to an international city with a Korean-town or large enough Korean community, you can literally find a Korean-American who can help you. You'll find Korean doctors and grocery stores where you won't have to use English. I come from a Vietnamese background and I can say the exact same thing about them too. In high school, many years ago, I knew a Korean guy who was born in the US, but spoke broken English. It's because he lived in a Korean culture his whole life.
Interresante conseil. Merci. Je voudrais a demenager en France comme un retraité. Moi parle francais est actuellement de DELF A2 niveau. Mon objectif est obtenir un niveau de DELF B1 donc je peux parle avec français de tous les jours avant de faire le déménagement. Je ne pourrais pas être plus d'accord avec vous ! Parler français vite (comme les parisiens) n'est pas facile. Tu as aussi apprendre au mons DELF A2 et PASSER le examen a obtenir la certificate a obtenir France longe term visa est French. Chapeau.
My Uncle Bill fought for the Canadian Army in France (WW2) (shooting and chasing out the German Army). His small unit of 3 to 5 men often operated behind German lines and had many close calls. He said the rural farmers and villagers of France were very nice people and warm and generous.
Why bother? Everyday French food is no better than what you can get in the UK. It might be different but it's not that great. There's a romantic notion about French food and wine that reality does not justify. Not unless you're paying an arm and leg in some overhyped,overpriced restaurant in Paris. To a certain extent,France is living of it's past glories when its food and wine may well have been considered world leading. The rest of the world caught up years ago .
Excellent video. I agree with your assessment 100%. My husband and I travel quite a bit, but as we get older I am more and more hesitant of going to countries where English is not spoken in medical emergency facilities or among the population. I now think about the what ifs: If we wake up in the middle of the night with a medical emergency in Turkey for example and we don't speak the language, and have a hard time even dialing the phone number... what would we do? It is very scary. That's one thing. In terms of integrating and having a full cultural experience it is imperative to speak the language of the country we move to. I became a member of a local Filipino church here in America through a Filipino friend. No matter how sweet and kind the members of the church were, they tried to welcome me saying hello and the usual formalities, but then they would turn around and join their group and chat with one another in Tagalog. I was an outsider. It took me over 6 months to finally say: I don't belong here and in fact I am making them uncomfortable because they feel bad that I am left out, but they can't help just wanting to socialize in their native language.
Yes I fully understand. I mean, if it happened to me in Belgium as a native speaker of French it can happen to anyone. Interesting account of mixing with speakers of Tagalog.
Thank you for creating this video. I’m interested in your opinion. I took French and Latin in American high school. I also studied 2-years in college. At that point I could not speak a full sentence without a panic attack and forgetting how to speak at all. Many years later(2009). I used Rosetta Stone a half an hour a night for a month or so. At that point I was able to speak to a cabbie, make reservations at a hotel and other basic travel scenarios. As I was hosting my elderly parents in this trip, it came in handy. My question is this, where do I go from here? I would like to be able to have a deep philosophical or technical conversation with a native French speaker at a high level. Also, got some reason, nouns gone do much easier than verbs. Thank you for your consideration. By the way, due yo the 2024 US election I’m planning moving to France within the year.
Hi ! Sorry I didn't see your comment earlier. I have no knowledge of Rosetta Stone but I'm glad it helped. If you like, you can book a free trial class with me and I'll show you how I teach French.
Wow thanks for putting up such a great video. Although not from those Anglo-Saxon countries you mentioned, I have this french fantasy as well. Cheese, wine, bakery and local bistro and you are absolutely spot on with making decisions based on emotion. But how do u recommend for ppl who deosnt speak french but want a deeper look into the french culture? If not moving to french to live & study right a way, a short 2-month something vacation would do?
Can't deny the huge numbers of different French cheese. Wine? French wine is overrated. For many it's just because it's French . Many countries all over the world produce wines that are equal to and some superior to, French wines. Local bistros? Dreadfully overpriced these days. Bakeries,yes the French like fresh bread. Who doesn't. You can get fresh bread in any European country. Yep,your idea of France is a romantic fantasy 😉
Excellent video. As a longtime Parisian resident I am fluent in French and I agree it's fundamental to have a solid command of the language. That said, Paris can be a harder nut to crack because of the big city culture. If you don't have a French partner I find it is difficult- even with almost impeccable French- to be invited into established circles. Just my experience.
anyone who moves to France and refuse to learn the language will automatically have a bad experience. Why do people think they can move to a foreign country and the entire population will learn English because of them? I will never understand this line of thought. We want to move to France as retirees from the US and we are learning French first. Sensible. No?
Depends. What are you coming to France for? If you want to socialise or be part of society being able to speak French will enhance your experience. It'll help with the ridiculous amount of red tape and bureaucracy in France too. But you can get by these days. It just depends on if you just want to "get by". Personally I didn't come to France for any "French" reason. Well,maybe the South of France weather. But not much else. Certainly not for the supposed great food. It's not that great. Or French wine. Again ,there are many countries that produce wines of equal quality. And the French cost of living is certainly not cheap. It's one of the most expensive in Europe. Everyday items are much more expensive than the UK for instance. In lots of ways of life,France is living off her past glories. But it is certainly a beautiful country. I came because it was all I could afford. I wanted to live quietly ,away from hordes of people and be in the countryside not too far from the sea. I came and worked on my own as a builder,Im now retired and live on my own in peace. France has allowed me that and for that I'm grateful.
When I imagine France, I see it in my mind's eye as it is portrayed in Stendhal's "Le Rouge et le Noir": an exciting mixture of romance, danger, political intrigue and tasteful elegance, a land peopled by dashing heroes and unattainably beautiful, ultra-capricious women. I hope to retire there next year.
🙄 Don't you think you're being a little unrealistic here? The last thing you want to do is romanticize some far away place, then decide to retire there. I'm planning to retire in France in a few years, but I have something more down to earth in mind. I picture the French countryside as it's portrayed in Saving Private Ryan. Relocating overseas is sure to involve challenges. But I hope to find my little slice of heaven, like what's portrayed in the movie Chocolat. I'll be something like Johnny Depp, irresistible to most women (but not all -- I must be realistic). And I'm sure my Juliette Binoche will eventually arrive, and we'll partake in many romantic adventures, some involving chocolate.
@@willnelson3362 this is so cute. Make sure to jot these down, then revisit them when u get discouraged. Also, try to find this place inside yourself before you go, this can be your internal happy place.
I see no risks. The ONLY regret I'have since moving to France 28 years ago is that I was not allowed to vote in the UK after 15 years here. I'm not particularly politically biased, so normally it would't matter, but don't talk to me about the Brexit referendum, as my reply would be unprintable!!! But I speak reasonable French, I mix freely with the locals, and I find the health service to be excellent. And the French authorities have been more than helpful with all the bureaucracy we were obliged to face after the (fixed) Brexit vote.
Thank you for the advice. However, I find the video unnecessarily depressing. I’ve migrated twice in my life and everywhere you go, you’ll always find proper professional educated people, despite language barriers, and also, nasty people that will troll anyone.
I visited france with a 4yr high school knowledge of french. I noticed that french people would let me struggle through my question in french then answer me in perfect English. Those doctors and nurses knew English, they were wiling to let that person die. I wonder if racism was a factor 😢
Don’t retire in France. It is a nightmare. The medical system is not at all what it used to be. We can’t find doctors. Dealing with the administration is horrible. You will have to get a French driving licence after one year. No exchange with your American or English driving licence. If you die, your children will have to deal with notaries and the fiscal system: six months to sort out the problems. I am French, my husband is American a d French and honestly, if we knew another country where things are easier and taxes lower we would move. Good luck if you still want to do it. Grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
@@Jim_in_AR Tell me about it ! I've actually just completed my 8 hours before the road test. I've been driving for almost 30 years. But if I'd had a German or French license, I'd a been fine. I tried to explain to the DMV that Europe WAS the country and that I could drive all over each member state but to no avail!
@ Hi. I got the list of American states that have a reciprocal agreement with France. From 3 states in 2016 the list is much longer which a good thing. But not all states are not on this list. It also means that French people moving to those states will able to exchange their driving licence. The new driving licence is good for 15 years and above a certain age, the préfecture requires you to see a doctor every year. Each préfecture has a list of accredited doctors. A real pain.
@@heleneculioli-atwood6997 Yes it's a pain. I have a British and Belgian license, which essentially means European. If I lived in France for a month, I could get a French license and then transfer it to America. But I can't do the same without first going through France. Belgian to American no good!
I'm actually happy to hear that! If I was the only one I'd be feeling a little weird. My brother's like me also so with your friend that makes 3 of us. the club is growing! If you can, please tell your friend I saw an original Van Gogh painting at the Yale museum in CT. I was blown away. The colours just jump out a you!
There are foreigners everywhere settled and working in English speaking countries that can't speak a word of English, It is the one language everyone learns a bit of everywhere and seems acceptable here. R u living under a rock?😂
Plusieurs remarques : Il est evident qu apprendre le français dans son.pays d origine avant d immigrer en France est essentiel .Deja un niveau A2. /B1 est largement suffisant.Sans la langue le pays rêvé peut tourner au cauchemar c est comme aller vivre aux Usa sans parler un mot d anglais. Apres il faut relativiser surtout au niveau des soins d urgence .Des millions d etrangers qui ne parlent pas notre langue ,sont soignes en France surtout pendant les vacances .Je suis tres surpris de cette histoire du couple âgé obligé de retourner aux US pour se faire soigner .Si cette histoire est vraie cela n a rien a voir avec le fait que ne parlant pas français ils ne pouvaient pas se faire soigner. Ce qui attire le plus justement les etrangers retraites en France c est la qualité et la quasi gratuité des soins. En suite en France le terme expat n existe on parle d immigrants qu on vienne d afrique ou d occident ou d ailleurs.Sur l utilisation des mots justes on ne dit oas un robinet qui coule quand on veut dire un robinet qui fuit .Ce sont deux mots distincts en français. Pour conclure je trouve l intitulé de la vidéo tres clickbait car le contenu n est qu une tentative plutot grossiere de nous vendre sa soupe sans grande conviction.
En chaque Francais sommeille un grammairien ! Merci pour la correction du mot robinet. Perso je ne suis pas au courant de la gratuite des soins. Le NHS en Angleterre est gratuit aussi. "Si cette histoire est vraie"...je ne sais pas. Vu que c'est du clickbait il se peut que tout soit faux. En parlant de soins gratuits, le monsieur auquel je fais reference avec l'operation au coeur a recu une facture de 30.000 euros du CHU de Toulouse. J'ai demande "attends, tu veux dire 3000?". C'etait bien 30.000. De nouiveau, j'avoue ne rien y connaitre. Expat fait reference a une communaute anlo/americaine au sens ou je l'entends. Immigrant a une connotation desagreable.
I took French classes for two years before arriving and then continued in France. My language school is in the mayor's office and they're free. I've been to hospital and the treatment was outstanding and everyone was kind and patient.
I started learning French 2 years ago.
I've have my times of elation and depression, eagerness and excitement followed by abandoning the idea and then crawling back to listening and reading.. Forcing myself to continue.
I have improved. I can understand and speak it. I'm no specialist but i can manage.
Bravo ! It can sometimes be hard to find an engaging source of learning. Here's a plan: ouicommunicate.com/how-much-does-it-cost/
👍 Stay strong, stay on!!
how can you think one second that you can live in any country without speaking the local language ? That's probably the number one mistake the English speaking people (UK, US etc.) are doing, they do believe English is spoken everywhere and that's obviously wrong. But the worst is that some of these people are rude because they CONSIDER everyone should speak English ... last but not least, especially with the English community, they often stay together and don't mix with the locals ... I know that for a fact, I live in the south west of France where there is the biggest English community in France and they are often critisising the country they live in. What's the point in living in a country if you don't want to do any effort to be integrated ...
I didn't come to France to integrate. I came for peace,quiet and tranquility. I understand enough French to be polite but I couldn't have a conversation. But that doesn't bother me as I like my own space. I say good morning,ask how people are,can talk about the weather and basic stuff and for me that's enough. I'd never even said bonjour before I came to France. I'm 66 years old and have tried to speak more French. But try as I might,I just can't get it. That's obviously not helped by not socialising with French speakers. Being able to speak French is important if you want to work or want to socialise. But if you lead a solitary life the everyday polite basics are enough.
My wife and I are moving to Nice. We have been researching it for four years and have hired a conceirge to assist with some of the technical issues of citizenship. My wife lived and studied in Paris for a year. She is fluent in French and a retired French teacher. She is teaching me French. We have a good retirement income. We are in our sixties and active for our age. I would just say, research, prepare well and get expert help.
fantastic and thanks for watching ! enjoy Nice!!
Please pass on the contact information for your concierge if possible…
When a foreigner, especially an English speaker, speaks to me directly in English. I act stupid and don't say a single word of English. However, I speak it, not perfectly. But I understand it very easily.
When you speak your language every day without saying a word of English, the first words in English don't come out so easily. Especially if you want to have the right accent.
I have a secret to give to English speakers who come to France and all over the world. Never speak your language directly. Be polite and respectful. Say hello in the local language. apologize for not speaking the local language and then ask if your interlocutor can speak English.
So you will have much more of the person you are talking to!
It's so simple, but too many people forget it.
A very sober, honest, and welcoming presentation.
That was the intention, thank you.
Interesting video. I'm American. My wife is German but has lived in the US most of her adult life. She still has family there and as we’re old farts, we plan on retiring in a couple of years and moving to Europe. She'd prefer Germany but I'd prefer France for a number of reasons.
I took French in school from 1st grade through 12th grade, and while school French doesn’t really prepare you for the real world, at the end, we were reading classic French literature and had to write reports (in French, obviously) about the books.
I also had four years of German in high school (at the same time as my last four years of French).
But that was all over 40 years ago, and I don’t get much chance to communicate in either.
When I test in French, I come out pretty low, like an A2 because my spelling is atrocious and I'm terrible at those “fill in the blank with the word” questions - even in English. My wife speaks pretty fluent German (it IS her mother tongue, though in school, she started in American schools in Germany so she never STUDIED German), but zero French.
I was last in France (Paris, actually) two years ago right before Christmas. I had a number of interesting conversations in French, like speaking to the flight attendant on the way back to LA from CDG about our failing #2 engine (I had to look up “jet engine” on Google Translate before starting the conversation). Sadly, the word for “swimming” completely escaped me and was somewhere in the ether.
I also had to ask about getting a replacement laptop charger at an FNAC, and the woman there (who spoke no English) actually complimented me on my French. And while they didn’t have them in stock, they could order one from one of their third parties and it would take about a week and a half to get, by which time I'd already have been in Germany. She DID take pity on me and gave me a flyer for a battery place that might have them; they did, and I bought one there, even though the guy tried to talk me out of it and said they’re very expensive (but I'd left mine at home so I couldn’t go 3 weeks without a charger).
I also did well enough to buy some suppositories for my wife (had to look THAT one up, too - fun having a conversation about constipation in a foreign language), and to buy some COVID tests (which sadly, turned out positive - yeah, I got COVID in Paris).
I can read most things; the time before in 2019, I picked up a French magazine at the lounge in CDG and could understand the article about the politics of some beverage company opening up a factory in France. But MUCH harder to speak… as I like to joke, tous les mots sont perdu. (Yeah, the joke is “perdu” and not “oublier” like they weren’t merely forgotten but got lost on their own accord)
And fast spoken French is quite literally a different language altogether, and they might as well be speaking Russian.
As for expectations, I don’t find France really any different than LA or Berlin or anywhere else. They’re PLACES, and people live there, and people do the same things. Yeah, there are cultural differences, like ALWAYS saying hello when you walk into a store in France. But considering that some grocery stores here make you pack your own bags and others have people who do it for you, that's really no different than the types of differences in France (or Germany). I get annoyed when people stand on the left of escalators, too.
There's a lot to like about France, like
I find some of the comments here to be self-righteous and self-congratulatory with little empathy or understanding of how difficult it is to integrate into another country where your knowledge of the local language is basic.
We moved to France 6 months ago and it hasn’t been easy. Navigating simple daily tasks takes twice as long let alone finding a new home or trying to understand the bureaucratic process. It’s exhausting and often there is little time or energy left to study. I speak 3 other languages and thought I could pick up French easily but after dealing with so many other issues, I have little motivation. For the most part, the French have been endlessly patient, helpful and understanding. I am very grateful for their kindness. Once the dust has settled, we hope to have more space in our lives for language learning.
Totally agree and understand how you feel. In the past I really tried. Really tried. I spent hundreds on various CDs and courses. I worked here in France but on my own as a builder. I listened to French tapes and CDs during the day,I listened to the radio, I listened to CDs when driving,watched French TV,even went to bed with French CDs playing. I'm reasonably intelligent and usually quick to learn. But I never could and still can't get to grips with it. I can speak the polite every day basics but that's about it. It bothers others more than it bothers me. I lead a solitary life and apart from a friendly bonjour and smile I'm not interested in engaging or as so many other commentators keep saying ”intergrating". But if you do want to integrate,you will need to speak a certain amount of French😉😁. Good luck. French is not easy😂
@@motohobo Sorry to hear that. I',m sure you can succeed at learning French. I do a free trial class. Perhaps you'd be interested in meeting me so that I can explain the contents and how I go about teaching French.
Sorry to hear that. I never meant for this video to be seen so many times, it just happened by accident. Perhaps I would have said things differently if I'd known. I was expecting 5 people to see it at the most! I myself have had to integrate in 2 countries and have a fair idea of the challenges. I'm in the US now and it's still not over. I'm a lot kinder than I might seem on video 😊
Very important information here. I see the same FB posts of those who believe they can "pick up" French just by living here or become fluent using Duolingo. I studied French consistently and seriously, in group and private classes, for 25 years before moving to France, and I STILL struggle with things like phone calls involving technical information (like utilities, medical vocabulary). The hubris I read on FB from those moving here without any knowledge of the language, astounds me. I live in a city with large hospitals and lots of doctors, very few of whom speak English. Only one person in my pharmacy speaks any English. My guardian doesn't speak English. My best advice to all considering a move abroad: Start taking French lessons with a real, live person asap.
I wonder how well the "Lost Generation" of Americans in Paris spoke French (Stein, Hemingway, et al.). As an American in the US, I had a female French boss for several years (married to an American) who sometimes got frustrated speaking English and would burst out with "On va parler français!"
Oh that's brilliant! really? On va parler francais !
@@ouicommunicate She was joking, but yes, even though her English was very good. She had a graduate degree from an American university. But still spoke with a strong accent, maybe knowing that Americans think French accents sound "sophisticated".
Great video - replace French with any other language in any other country and the expats fall into the same trap over and over again. Loved the simplicity of the insight.
Merci !
Bonjour, Chris. I'm American. I studied French for 8 years when I was in school. Not having used it much for the following 40 years, I've obviously forgotten all but a few words and phrases. My husband and I have set a 24-month goal to retire, and we've begun studying in earnest -- reading, speaking, listening, even joined a local french-speaking group -- in an effort not only to speak French, but to understand what is being said to us. Fortunately, my brain is retrieving much of the language I thought was long-gone from memory, but comprehension is just as important as speaking. In my opinion, understanding native French speakers is more difficult than speaking the language myself. I will never understand why anyone moves to a country without making any attempt to learn the language. It's a bit arrogant, honestly. As far as retirement locations, well... many of the villages in France are stunningly beautiful and quaint, but it's easy to see how isolation could really become a problem in many ways. We're looking at buying an apartment in a smaller city, such as Tours. Access to doctors and emergency care is a bit easier, services are more abundant, and there's a relatively decent-size English-speaking expat community throughout the Loire Valley (helpful in making friends). We've also decided to keep our house in the U.S. for ease of visiting family, as well as the possibility of life going sideways in France. At least we'll have a place to come back to if we need it. I really appreciated hearing the stories you told in this video. Every potential expat (especially retirees) should watch it and seriously consider the opinions and thoughts you've shared. Merci!
Thanks so much for sharing your story !
I enjoyed this discussion and I subscribed. Knowing more than the basics is very important if you plan to live there long-term.
Merci !
Great video! We moved here a year ago from the States; it was for reasons across the spectrum but far least of all emotional or the food. I had 8 yrs of school french and 8 visits over the years and my husband studied it for 8 mos daily before we left. In our 1st 6 mos here we had to navigate a health crisis, dental crisis and getting X-rays for long stay visas, most via telephone calls. The difficulty of telephone calls and just getting hung up on if you dont speak a language WELL ENOUGH cannot be underestimated. Your relationship better be hell-a stable if one of you is going to be the only one making the phone calls for a while….If you want to test how well you think you will do, learn sign language, plug your ears and try communicating only that way with your SO for ALL THINGS for a month or 2 before you make a decision. It’s closer to reality than you may think.
I agree. Even though my French is decent, I dread answering the phone in French when we are there visiting his sister. Going to the bank there is also difficult if you need to speak to a customer representative because I swear they enjoy being unhelpful. My theory about speaking & reading French is get a very good French teacher & study. Force yourself to speak. Listen to podcasts. Read articles written at a high-level in French.
@ Oh lord - the bank. Quelle Couchemare!!
@@yogisurfrunner1925That should be:
" Quel cauchemar".
If you must speak - and write- French or any other language, it's best to make sure you do it properly. There are dictionaries to help you and, these days of course, there's Google. Just check.
Banks in France may be a nightmare to you, but at least they don't close at 3 pm. And, oh... try asking for a mortgage - not a loan, no: a mortgage - when 60 plus in the UK. In France, you can.
@ Good thing there are people like you to keep the rest of us straight! I’m out here living : )
@@yogisurfrunner1925Yup! I like it straight, I do. 🙂
I just bought a small townhome in Montmorillon, La Cite de l’Ecrit,” but I’ve been studying French my entire life off and on. Since age 12, then in high school and majored in it in college (and at the Sorbonne et l’Ecole du Louvre pendant une annee scolaire) and have visited multiple times through the ensuing decades. I have just spent my first two weeks in my new home. Definitely helps to speak the language fairly well, but I couldn’t say I’m totally fluent or bilingual. It really helps though and sometimes I’m reading and I forget what language I’m in (English or French). 😊 p s I’m an American.
Thanks for you comment and bravo for your French !
My 82 year old father went on a tour of Normandy and fell, breaking both of his arms. The people of Bayeau were lovely and the few English speakers in town came to the hospital (more like a clinic if you ask me) to help translate daily. There is very little English in some of these smaller cities. Like almost none. I had to fly over there and coordinate multiple surgeries and an air evacuation. Thank God he had good travel insurance. If you’re in Paris, there is a fair amount of English but let me tell you, not in the hinterlands. And what passes for medical care can be very rough. His surgeries all needed to be redone in the US. Great food. Some wonderful people but think twice if you need good medical or have no French.
Thanks for sharing !
You amaze me. I have lived in France for 28 years, and have always found the healthcare to be first class. Of course, US doctors WOULD claim it was less than perfect: they're only interested in making money.
I've been helping refugees here in Montpellier. If they can make it without a euro and not even knowing the latin alphabet, you can too. Now i can confirm that all will depend on how fast you learn the language. So start learning now, watch french tv news.
Interesting point of view. As a French citizen, I am always puzzled by people without real exposure to French who want to settle in France. There are no real self contained expat ghettos in France I can think of, even in Paris, or the Riviera. France is not Monaco, or even Dubai, or the UAE. At the other end of the spectrum, France doesn't have the equivalent of the all-British caravan parks for pensionners on the Spanish cuestas, or of the US pensionner villages in Mexico. In France, you cannot be an "expat'. You are first an immigrant and you have to integrate into French society. It becomes more difficult to make new friends as you get older and French sociabilty doesn't include the superficial chumminess with small talk you find in the Anglo-Saxon world. Beyond the language obstacles, too many prospective "expats" are stuck in an imaginary 1950's France. Too much fantasy about the "French village" . Much of rural France is ghastly, with scant services, and lots of empty remote places. When you fantasise about the village you saw on an Nice summer day with plenty of activity, imagine what it may be like in mid-February, when it takes you weeks to get a dentist appointment. I also suspect there are purely economic reasons behind wanting to live in France : British working class families priced out of the UK property market, aging Americans scared of their future healthcare costs...
There are also political reasons , for instance ' liberal' Americans who imagine Europe is a liberal paradise, while populism is well on the rise everywhere...
I loved the sentence "Beyond the language obstacles, too many prospective "expats" are stuck in an imaginary 1950's France." Not to be too cruel with France, but it does seem to be resting on laurels earned long, long ago. In its innocence, a lot of America still seems to consider France a "big player" as if it was still 1945. France has the philosophers and the writers but as we say in French "ca commence a remonter". Is France still a disruptor or an influencer today on the world stage? When did France last send waves across the world? Perhaps it is, in less visible fields. This being said, I do like France and am anxious to show it to me American wife. Thanks for your input, I learned a few things.
@@ouicommunicate Nobody who lives in France wants to permanantly move to America. Lots of people in America want to move out of America and France is an option. However, as you've noted you probably need to speak French. Many people move to America, have lived here for 20 years and still speak poorly. The US doesn't have an official language. Also AI language solved written and very important communication moments.
@@noël_alexander Thanks for your time and for the comments!
Interesting insights. I certainly see prospective immigrants to France think that it's just an amazing place to be gay or transgender without considering the fact that a large percentage of France's population believe in the creation of a caliphate. However, as an American I don't consider any part of France to be "remote" due to the number of people per sq km or mile compared to the US. Sure, one could say that there are social deserts in France where expected or normal levels of service are scant, that is true.
After having worked in Paris area for a few years now, I will say that the French here really do have a "village" mentality at times, especially in large French businesses. Within these so-called international envrionments, I felt that since I was not natively French, I surely was not favored (some being openly bigoted against me) because I represented the immigrant threat to France and the company, which they viewed as a vessel for their heritage.
@@SurpriseMeJT Oh yes definitely. People do forget that far Right comes in second place at every presidential election, with Far Left being just as extreme. That's close to 50% of the country. Yes, when you drive through smaller towns they are indeed deserted. I mean even I get corrected and at times congratulated by the "real" French as if it were quite a circus trick I was performing by speaking the language.You get the well-thinking Euro political commentators tut-tuting at the rise of "Trumpism" when the debates I've seen on French TV are far more farcical. Thanks for stopping by and watching, and of course for the comment!
Chris, I appreciate your perspective very much. I have lived in Spain when I was in my 20s. It is my heritage and I adapted extremely easily to the culture. I intend to obtain my Spanish citizenship and spend time there. I had contemplated moving there permanently until I developed some significant health issues. I would need to determine a number of things before making such a big change, even with my comfort with the culture and my fluency. But, as you pointed out, there are a number of factors to consider. I am shocked repeatedly by people, most notably Americans, Canadians and Brits, who move to Europe without even initiating language study. 😳😳😳 Crazy! Ive even heard Brits criticize the Spanish for not speaking English, obviously ignorant of Spanish history and the fact that many Spaniards speak multiple languages, maybe just not English. I’ve spent a good amount of time in France too and studied French there. I hope to return. I’ll begin my studies of French soon as I’ve lost my fluency. Our enjoyment increases with knowing the language. Thank you!
Thanks! I completely agree.
I'm on some of those facebook groups for expats in France (I live in a Paris suburb). The posts people make, such as those who desire moving to France are so, so, so ignorant (stupid). People want to move to France to escape this or that in the USA believing that what they are escaping somehow doesn't exist in France, or that a lot of conveniences in the US do not exist in France. Very few of these prospective immigrants speak any French.
With regards to the delusions and romanticism of France, I don't think I had any of those things.
What I like about France, is that it's a place with an identity and with it, meaning. It's also got a lot of old stuff, old building and I love the fact that it's slower paced (likely due to bureaucracy and labor laws), even knowing that their business suffers competitively because of this. I'm good with this at this point of my life. Those who want to "work hard, play hard" can and if you don't, you'll still survive. In America, you're in survival mode 100% of the time to keep your head above water. Been there, done that and I value my time and health too much to continue that path.
I agree. I actually joined some of these groups as a way of finding potential customers. The situation is impossible to solve, so I left. It's a recurrent picture in which one encourages the other while at the same time completely embedded in delusion. Literally cannot be helped. America has its faults obviously, but then again it has the advantage of offering a lot more variety in terms of industries and careers. I think we also have to look at the effects of the European social safety net on inventiveness and resourcefulness. Bit cruel perhaps but when was the last time that France was relevant on a world scale?
Very well done, thank you! I am dedicated to learning at minimum solid A2 before I immigrate to France in mid-2025, working at it at least one hour a day, typically double that. I will not be buying a home in France - my retirement funds are modest; I will be renting. But lord help anyone who thinks - in France, the US, or anywhere - that this older woman will sit down and take shiite from anyone about anything. 😉
Well done! 😀 Thanks for watching the video and for commenting. (pssst... from me to you - don't tell anyone ouicommunicate.com/how-much-does-it-cost/ )
Have you looked at the reality of trying to rent in France? The laws there are very pro-tenant, thereby making it very difficult for a landlord to evict a tenant who has fallen behind on rental payments. Landlords usually require a signed employment contract with an employer. Then, there’s the rental contract itself. You must be able to read it. For example, tenants may be required to Pat certain fees at the end of a lease term. An A2 level probably won’t be enough to set up a bank account, which isn’t at all easy, buy or rent a car, have utilities turned on & so forth. I’m not saying this to simply be negative, but one must be linguistically, culturally, financially & socially prepared before moving to France. It is a very different place than the US.
@@ariannewdnotbe True. I'll do a video on this one time. A2 essentially means knowing a few key words as opposed to nothing at all.
*pay, not Pat.
Yes. I’ve been married to a 🇫🇷 guy for a very long time & we go back & forth. Since we obviously spend most of our time there with family and friends, I’m very aware of the need for a solid grasp of French in order to navigate business & health issues there. My husband says he’s lived in the US so long that France frustrates him because of interactions with government agencies which love to say ‘no.’ Even the language has changed a bit. People don’t realize how difficult it is to adjust or re-adjust.
After 3 hours at a typical 🇫🇷 dinner party, I feel like my head will explode with trying to communicate on an educated level. I’d recommend B2 at a minimum.
Amazing that most folks in Europe are bilingual and yet the French, not so much. It is understandable that American's aren't bilingual given the location and size of the country. 50 states in the US all speak English whereas in Europe countries the size of individual American states all have different languages so of course Europeans are going to know other languages. It is just logistics.
My wife and I intend on retiring in France. Not sure where yet but we are planning a few long trips to cities like Montpellier, Toulouse, Antibes, Menton and others to figure it out. My father was born in Bordeaux but I can only speak French in a few phrases at this point. But I do intend to take French lessons before we actually retire. Just found out my wife is a French citizen . She was born in Canada, came to the U.S. in the 70s, and became an American citizen. Her parents were French and declared her and her brothers years ago but never told her till a few days ago. So I think, but not sure, if that will make getting visas or residency easier or not. Anyway, thanks for the info in this video as it confirms that my intention of learning as much French as I can and integrating as much as I can will increase my likelihood of success. BTW, I love the basses you have in the background. I'm also a bass player.
Sounds to me like U r both French citizens. Prob just some paperwork to get ur French passports.
@@camiller4916 Interesting. Looks like I'll be contacting the consulate here in DC. Thanks for the info.
A bass player ! haha yes that's the acoustic. The red one is a cheap Indian model that I bought in th0e UK, a Sunn Mustang. I had the guitar so I wanted the matching bass. Regarding the Visas, my mum told me of a friend who was a native speaker of French who wanted to move to France from Belgium and was refused cause they didn't believe he knew French. I think you will have to prove a decent level of French which might even be B1. Any classes needed, I'll be all too happy.
My son is in that position as his dad is French. He registered him at the French Embassy in DC when he was born & we made sure to enroll him in a French international school so he’d be bilingual. He applied for his 🇫🇷 passport last year & because he was registered, he had his passport within a few months.
As the 🇺🇸 wife of a 🇫🇷 guy, I can tell you that you will be able to obtain a long stay visa if married for a specified period of time, but you’ll have to pass a language test and be financially secure. You can also apply to be a citizen of 🇫🇷 from here in the US, based on the marriage & other factors.
Ok if you are a bass player then I have a piece of advice for you : come to Montpellier 😊
It astounds me why British Expats who are on TH-cam who speak very little French ,go ahead and move to France. They live there, and still after many years,have not taken French lessons and have trouble to communicate with doctors & medical staff & physios. I find it somewhat arrogant that Brits expect others to speak English. You really need fluency in French,for both written and oral communications . I accept that my French Canadian accent ( which evolved from old Norman French spoken by illiterate colonists of the 1600s ) might illicit a smirk from a French citizen ,and I’ll likely be asked what country I come from. Wearing a Canadian flag lapel pin helps since older French citizen know & appreciate that the Canadian Army fought the Nazis and liberated many towns throughout France. There will always be certain people who will mock a foreigner, but they might not know that I understand they are ridiculing me. The point is I can communicate with them regardless of a Québecois accent. You really need to make local friends to force yourself to listen to the local sounding French because not everyone speaks with a Parisian accent. The speed with which they speak is the difficult part. Asking the person with whom you are speaking to please speak a bit slower might appear to them to be rude, however ,if you explain that you have trouble comprehending when people speak fast, they might slow down for a minute or two but often they’ll revert to speed talking again since it really is a cultural thing. Sadly some people do not have much ability as adults to learn languages . They massacre the language,largely because they do not learn the verb tenses, or the gender of nouns. Very often they just don’t understand certain words or don’t have the ability to hear that they are not pronunciating words correctly . Current French has many more contractions than 50 years ago, so if you think that the French you learned in highschool in the 1960s will suffice in 2024, think again. Some of the easiest French to understand is the beautifully spoken French spoken by citizens of African countries .
Wow thanks for the input ! Very interesting. This reminds me of an American who has channel on youtube and shares her experience in France. One time she marveled at the presence of a snail on the pavement. (or was it a caterpillar? can't remember) complete coo-coo land. It's crazy to me too.
Verb tenses,noun gender? No idea what you're talking about😂. In all seriousness,most English speakers speak English poorly and have no idea of correct grammar. They stand very little chance of speaking French well and correctly.
At least you do not speak Acadian.
I enjoyed this vid. I don’t know what method you were speaking about. I agree that people need to able to communicate in French if you are going to live there. It’s important to integrate.
We recently returned from vacay in France. We had a great time. I don’t romanticize about things, so we just had fun w/o worrying too much. We skipped every attraction with a line. My fav thing was riding bikes in Paris and again in Nice. I’m a great home cook and trained chef so eating out was fun.
Only one lady was rude but she was rude to everyone. I can always pick up on tone and I know how to spot scumbags who try to take advantage of others and will not tolerate it.
Great plan ! The method is a Franco-French transfer of their language without knowing how an English speaker processes language. In what I do, there is the advantage of being understood as such.
Honestly, I am mystefied that someone would move to a country and not speak a word of the local language.
People who do that aren't thinking about survival.
@@SurpriseMeJT obviously not. I mean are they even thinking?
I guess you have never been to the US. A large number of people have moved here only speaking another language.
@@batgirlp5561you just described the whole history of America since the Vikings.
@@batgirlp5561 As an American, I can say that the USA is a very different animal. If you are say, a non-English speaking Korean and you move to an international city with a Korean-town or large enough Korean community, you can literally find a Korean-American who can help you. You'll find Korean doctors and grocery stores where you won't have to use English. I come from a Vietnamese background and I can say the exact same thing about them too.
In high school, many years ago, I knew a Korean guy who was born in the US, but spoke broken English. It's because he lived in a Korean culture his whole life.
Good video!
Thank you!
Interresante conseil. Merci. Je voudrais a demenager en France comme un retraité. Moi parle francais est actuellement de DELF A2 niveau. Mon objectif est obtenir un niveau de DELF B1 donc je peux parle avec français de tous les jours avant de faire le déménagement. Je ne pourrais pas être plus d'accord avec vous ! Parler français vite (comme les parisiens) n'est pas facile. Tu as aussi apprendre au mons DELF A2 et PASSER le examen a obtenir la certificate a obtenir France longe term visa est French. Chapeau.
Thanks for the comment. I do free trial classes. I'd be very happy to meet you an explain how I teach. Merci !
My Uncle Bill fought for the Canadian Army in France (WW2) (shooting and chasing out the German Army).
His small unit of 3 to 5 men often operated behind German lines and had many close calls.
He said the rural farmers and villagers of France were very nice people and warm and generous.
so we will settle in the UK and take the ferry over to France for wine and dinner and than come back
Why bother? Everyday French food is no better than what you can get in the UK. It might be different but it's not that great. There's a romantic notion about French food and wine that reality does not justify. Not unless you're paying an arm and leg in some overhyped,overpriced restaurant in Paris. To a certain extent,France is living of it's past glories when its food and wine may well have been considered world leading. The rest of the world caught up years ago .
@@motohobo I do share this view of France resting on past laurels.
France was the only country that tried to trick me when making change while visiting Europe.
The WHOLE country tricked you 😂🎉?
Haha ! 😀
Ça coule=it flows. L’eau coule= the water flows. Ça fuit =it leaks. L’eau fuit = the water leaks
We. Le plombier a voulu jouer sur les mots. "ben ouais si je pars c'est que j'ai fini" fit-il plein d'arrogance.
Excellent video. I agree with your assessment 100%. My husband and I travel quite a bit, but as we get older I am more and more hesitant of going to countries where English is not spoken in medical emergency facilities or among the population. I now think about the what ifs: If we wake up in the middle of the night with a medical emergency in Turkey for example and we don't speak the language, and have a hard time even dialing the phone number... what would we do? It is very scary. That's one thing. In terms of integrating and having a full cultural experience it is imperative to speak the language of the country we move to. I became a member of a local Filipino church here in America through a Filipino friend. No matter how sweet and kind the members of the church were, they tried to welcome me saying hello and the usual formalities, but then they would turn around and join their group and chat with one another in Tagalog. I was an outsider. It took me over 6 months to finally say: I don't belong here and in fact I am making them uncomfortable because they feel bad that I am left out, but they can't help just wanting to socialize in their native language.
Yes I fully understand. I mean, if it happened to me in Belgium as a native speaker of French it can happen to anyone. Interesting account of mixing with speakers of Tagalog.
Thank you for creating this video. I’m interested in your opinion. I took French and Latin in American high school. I also studied 2-years in college. At that point I could not speak a full sentence without a panic attack and forgetting how to speak at all. Many years later(2009). I used Rosetta Stone a half an hour a night for a month or so. At that point I was able to speak to a cabbie, make reservations at a hotel and other basic travel scenarios. As I was hosting my elderly parents in this trip, it came in handy. My question is this, where do I go from here? I would like to be able to have a deep philosophical or technical conversation with a native French speaker at a high level. Also, got some reason, nouns gone do much easier than verbs. Thank you for your consideration. By the way, due yo the 2024 US election I’m planning moving to France within the year.
Hi ! Sorry I didn't see your comment earlier. I have no knowledge of Rosetta Stone but I'm glad it helped. If you like, you can book a free trial class with me and I'll show you how I teach French.
Enjoyed your video, thanks
Thanks for watching !
As a bilingual person I understand exactly what you saying about not including the non speaking person to our conversation
Thank you !
I watched for 1:30 and there had been no mention of any risks of retiring in France.
I don't mention them specifically in this episode. Please wait for episode 3. 😀
Wow thanks for putting up such a great video. Although not from those Anglo-Saxon countries you mentioned, I have this french fantasy as well. Cheese, wine, bakery and local bistro and you are absolutely spot on with making decisions based on emotion. But how do u recommend for ppl who deosnt speak french but want a deeper look into the french culture? If not moving to french to live & study right a way, a short 2-month something vacation would do?
Thanks for your time and for your comment. To answer your question, my suggestion would be to use French at a better level. Ready to start? ; )
Can't deny the huge numbers of different French cheese. Wine? French wine is overrated. For many it's just because it's French . Many countries all over the world produce wines that are equal to and some superior to, French wines. Local bistros? Dreadfully overpriced these days. Bakeries,yes the French like fresh bread. Who doesn't. You can get fresh bread in any European country. Yep,your idea of France is a romantic fantasy 😉
Wonderful advice for those willing to listen
Merci !
Excellent video. As a longtime Parisian resident I am fluent in French and I agree it's fundamental to have a solid command of the language. That said, Paris can be a harder nut to crack because of the big city culture. If you don't have a French partner I find it is difficult- even with almost impeccable French- to be invited into established circles. Just my experience.
Merci !
anyone who moves to France and refuse to learn the language will automatically have a bad experience. Why do people think they can move to a foreign country and the entire population will learn English because of them? I will never understand this line of thought. We want to move to France as retirees from the US and we are learning French first. Sensible. No?
Depends. What are you coming to France for? If you want to socialise or be part of society being able to speak French will enhance your experience. It'll help with the ridiculous amount of red tape and bureaucracy in France too. But you can get by these days. It just depends on if you just want to "get by". Personally I didn't come to France for any "French" reason. Well,maybe the South of France weather. But not much else. Certainly not for the supposed great food. It's not that great. Or French wine. Again ,there are many countries that produce wines of equal quality. And the French cost of living is certainly not cheap. It's one of the most expensive in Europe. Everyday items are much more expensive than the UK for instance. In lots of ways of life,France is living off her past glories. But it is certainly a beautiful country. I came because it was all I could afford. I wanted to live quietly ,away from hordes of people and be in the countryside not too far from the sea. I came and worked on my own as a builder,Im now retired and live on my own in peace. France has allowed me that and for that I'm grateful.
It's the very best thing to do! Call if you want to sample a free trial class!
When I imagine France, I see it in my mind's eye as it is portrayed in Stendhal's "Le Rouge et le Noir": an exciting mixture of romance, danger, political intrigue and tasteful elegance, a land peopled by dashing heroes and unattainably beautiful, ultra-capricious women. I hope to retire there next year.
🙄 Don't you think you're being a little unrealistic here? The last thing you want to do is romanticize some far away place, then decide to retire there. I'm planning to retire in France in a few years, but I have something more down to earth in mind. I picture the French countryside as it's portrayed in Saving Private Ryan. Relocating overseas is sure to involve challenges. But I hope to find my little slice of heaven, like what's portrayed in the movie Chocolat. I'll be something like Johnny Depp, irresistible to most women (but not all -- I must be realistic). And I'm sure my Juliette Binoche will eventually arrive, and we'll partake in many romantic adventures, some involving chocolate.
@@willnelson3362 this is so cute. Make sure to jot these down, then revisit them when u get discouraged. Also, try to find this place inside yourself before you go, this can be your internal happy place.
Yes, France has that effect on people! Any classes needed, I'm happy to help. Enjoy France anyway !
@@willnelson3362 They say that in France the streets are paved with chocolate !
Lol.
I see no risks. The ONLY regret I'have since moving to France 28 years ago is that I was not allowed to vote in the UK after 15 years here. I'm not particularly politically biased, so normally it would't matter, but don't talk to me about the Brexit referendum, as my reply would be unprintable!!! But I speak reasonable French, I mix freely with the locals, and I find the health service to be excellent. And the French authorities have been more than helpful with all the bureaucracy we were obliged to face after the (fixed) Brexit vote.
Of course! I'm not 100% right and not completely wrong. Thanks for your comment.
Now that trump has won, a surprising number of "don't be an ex-pat" videos are being made.😮
Wow! What do they say?
Human dramas remain the same no matter where you go; the rest are just pure hype.
Thank you for the advice. However, I find the video unnecessarily depressing. I’ve migrated twice in my life and everywhere you go, you’ll always find proper professional educated people, despite language barriers, and also, nasty people that will troll anyone.
Everything you say in this presentation is 100% true.
That is very kind of you. I got so many view by accident. I might have said things differently otherwise.
A good dose of reality.
Merci !
I've been living in France for five years and I don't even know the meaning of "bonjour". harsh
😀
I visited france with a 4yr high school knowledge of french. I noticed that french people would let me struggle through my question in french then answer me in perfect English. Those doctors and nurses knew English, they were wiling to let that person die. I wonder if racism was a factor 😢
Are you American? I don't think the racism version of America necessarily translates to that of France.
Don’t retire in France. It is a nightmare. The medical system is not at all what it used to be. We can’t find doctors. Dealing with the administration is horrible. You will have to get a French driving licence after one year. No exchange with your American or English driving licence. If you die, your children will have to deal with notaries and the fiscal system: six months to sort out the problems. I am French, my husband is American a d French and honestly, if we knew another country where things are easier and taxes lower we would move. Good luck if you still want to do it. Grass is greener on the other side of the fence.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Some US states (including, surprisingly, mine) have reciprocal agreements with France to exchange driving licenses.
@@Jim_in_AR Tell me about it ! I've actually just completed my 8 hours before the road test. I've been driving for almost 30 years. But if I'd had a German or French license, I'd a been fine. I tried to explain to the DMV that Europe WAS the country and that I could drive all over each member state but to no avail!
@ Hi. I got the list of American states that have a reciprocal agreement with France. From 3 states in 2016 the list is much longer which a good thing. But not all states are not on this list. It also means that French people moving to those states will able to exchange their driving licence. The new driving licence is good for 15 years and above a certain age, the préfecture requires you to see a doctor every year. Each préfecture has a list of accredited doctors. A real pain.
@@heleneculioli-atwood6997 Yes it's a pain. I have a British and Belgian license, which essentially means European. If I lived in France for a month, I could get a French license and then transfer it to America. But I can't do the same without first going through France. Belgian to American no good!
Needs video must be share every where
Quelle bonne idée de venir en France
Right now is raining all the time in Bretagne.
I already have a bi-linqual French teacher who is the great grandson of Vincent Van Gogh. What do you have to offer? LOL
I'm actually happy to hear that! If I was the only one I'd be feeling a little weird. My brother's like me also so with your friend that makes 3 of us. the club is growing! If you can, please tell your friend I saw an original Van Gogh painting at the Yale museum in CT. I was blown away. The colours just jump out a you!
How stupid to imagine relocating in France without speaking french!! Can you imagine a foreigner settling in Iowa without speaking english?
There are foreigners everywhere settled and working in English speaking countries that can't speak a word of English, It is the one language everyone learns a bit of everywhere and seems acceptable here. R u living under a rock?😂
Do not use the word "ex pat" please.
très éclairant
Can’t believe that anyone would want to retire in this sht country. Beyond me
The cheese! 😀 (and I don't condone that description )
Plusieurs remarques :
Il est evident qu apprendre le français dans son.pays d origine avant d immigrer en France est essentiel .Deja un niveau A2. /B1 est largement suffisant.Sans la langue le pays rêvé peut tourner au cauchemar c est comme aller vivre aux Usa sans parler un mot d anglais.
Apres il faut relativiser surtout au niveau des soins d urgence .Des millions d etrangers qui ne parlent pas notre langue ,sont soignes en France surtout pendant les vacances .Je suis tres surpris de cette histoire du couple âgé obligé de retourner aux US pour se faire soigner .Si cette histoire est vraie cela n a rien a voir avec le fait que ne parlant pas français ils ne pouvaient pas se faire soigner.
Ce qui attire le plus justement les etrangers retraites en France c est la qualité et la quasi gratuité des soins.
En suite en France le terme expat n existe on parle d immigrants qu on vienne d afrique ou d occident ou d ailleurs.Sur l utilisation des mots justes on ne dit oas un robinet qui coule quand on veut dire un robinet qui fuit .Ce sont deux mots distincts en français.
Pour conclure je trouve l intitulé de la vidéo tres clickbait car le contenu n est qu une tentative plutot grossiere de nous vendre sa soupe sans grande conviction.
En chaque Francais sommeille un grammairien ! Merci pour la correction du mot robinet. Perso je ne suis pas au courant de la gratuite des soins. Le NHS en Angleterre est gratuit aussi. "Si cette histoire est vraie"...je ne sais pas. Vu que c'est du clickbait il se peut que tout soit faux. En parlant de soins gratuits, le monsieur auquel je fais reference avec l'operation au coeur a recu une facture de 30.000 euros du CHU de Toulouse. J'ai demande "attends, tu veux dire 3000?". C'etait bien 30.000. De nouiveau, j'avoue ne rien y connaitre. Expat fait reference a une communaute anlo/americaine au sens ou je l'entends. Immigrant a une connotation desagreable.