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16. Starting Conversations with Strangers
Updated January 21 2003
Your best bet is at a bar or in a café or shop. People sitting atA table next to you, may themselves start a conversation with you, especially once they realize you are an international with potentially a different point of view? That is fine. It is a compliment, not a pick up.
Answer their question in French if you possible can and show your willingness for further conversation by continuing with observations on the same or a different topic.
Whether you are passing time in a café or just buying envelopes, expect a discussion of the opinion .In fact, to invite a question, start with these ten magic words, (from Polly Platts):
“Excusez-moi de vous deranger. Monsieur/Madame, mais j ai une probleme”.
The French love nothing better than to be asked their opinion on a subject
They feel strongly about.
Yes, the French are “ argumentative” but an argument
in this case had the legal English meaning here:
in this case had the legal English meaning here: It is a point of view presented, not an unpleasant attack.
Compromise, on the other hand, has a negative
meaning in French. It is to be avoided. The French are quick to criticize everybody and everything, but that is often only to make an opportunity for discussion to “ break the ice” so to speak. Most good conversations start with a complaint and end with a satisfactory display of analytical thinking. Waiters
love to discuss the nuances of their menus.
meaning in French. It is to be avoided. The French are quick to criticize everybody and everything, but that is often only to make an opportunity for discussion to “ break the ice” so to speak. Most good conversations start with a complaint and end with a satisfactory display of analytical thinking. Waiters love to discuss the nuances of their menus.The art of conversation in France is highly developed. It follows very specific, rules. However, as a foreigner with limited skills in French, you will be forgiven a multitude of sins, as long as you do not commit the only cardinal sin: refusing to converse. 
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Paris Chapters16. Starting Conversations with Strangers