Well I have to say Joanne that the English (read British) are probably as bad! I did study French and German at school and at least one foreign language was obligatory up to age 16, I don't know how it is now. Since coming to live here in France, my French has become pretty fluent. I couldn't live in a country and not be able to communicate - but then I always had a lot to say for myself - you may have noticed! LOL
But it's amazing the number of English ppl here who have been here for years and can hardly manage a 'merci' or 'bonjour'. It makes me feel angry and embarrassed as we all get tarred with the same brush. It's interesting for me to see being an 'immigrant' from the other side. I was guilty of complaining in the UK that tax money was being spent on printing leaflets etc in foreign languages - 'they should learn English, etc etc'. Now, here in France, I see English ppl being given the same kind of treatment. Our local supermarket even has the aisles marked with the English alongside the French. How will ppl learn if they don't have to? Again, I'm embarrassed, what must the locals think? However, this is economic, I appreciate that. This is a poor, rural area and the English and Dutch 'incomers' bring a lot of wealth to local businesses. Sorry, told you I liked to 'communicate'! :mrgreen: