I’ve lived in Mexico for seven years. Related to your conversation, which for me always begins with, ‘Hola, buen día….( local slang for Buenos Días, used my non-locals )’ . I lived in a mixed neighborhood (Ex-pats and locals) where locals want to speak English! LOL I persist with Spanish.
I still think people appreciate the effort. I had only good experiences speaking to people in Mexico and here in France, I have a lot of conversations where I am speaking my level of French, they're trying out their English. I really think these things are more about communication than getting everything right. Like my neighbor in that story? She was very happy to see me the next time I saw her - that counts for something and I'd argue is real communication, even if I can't get directions from her just yet.
I can so relate! This was very good—I nearly spit out my lunch when you lied about being from Maryland (but haven’t we all?), and I laughed out loud when you actually got something at the bakery! Given that I was in a restaurant at the time, this created a risk that I too would be pulled into conversation, in Portuguese. But luckily I emerged unscathed.
I'm so glad you liked it! And I am so sorry that you can relate, but truly my awkward experiences with people definitely predate my awkward moments with French people. Same awkwardness, new people.
I get that, but doesn't having to do it in a foreign language make it so much harder?
Actually, I made a bold decision when I moved to Portugal. I decided to adopt a friendlier manner with people. (The fact that my Portuguese is quite good makes this easier, to be sure.) So I'm going around chatting with people the way they do here. It's a bit terrifying but also feels good!
Perfectly captured. Next will be trying to follow conversations during a diner party... It took me years until I felt confident enough to dive in and participate.
I’ve lived in Mexico for seven years. Related to your conversation, which for me always begins with, ‘Hola, buen día….( local slang for Buenos Días, used my non-locals )’ . I lived in a mixed neighborhood (Ex-pats and locals) where locals want to speak English! LOL I persist with Spanish.
I still think people appreciate the effort. I had only good experiences speaking to people in Mexico and here in France, I have a lot of conversations where I am speaking my level of French, they're trying out their English. I really think these things are more about communication than getting everything right. Like my neighbor in that story? She was very happy to see me the next time I saw her - that counts for something and I'd argue is real communication, even if I can't get directions from her just yet.
I can so relate! This was very good—I nearly spit out my lunch when you lied about being from Maryland (but haven’t we all?), and I laughed out loud when you actually got something at the bakery! Given that I was in a restaurant at the time, this created a risk that I too would be pulled into conversation, in Portuguese. But luckily I emerged unscathed.
I do agree. I always feel like I’m faking it. But people always appreciate the effort.
I'm so glad you liked it! And I am so sorry that you can relate, but truly my awkward experiences with people definitely predate my awkward moments with French people. Same awkwardness, new people.
I get that, but doesn't having to do it in a foreign language make it so much harder?
Actually, I made a bold decision when I moved to Portugal. I decided to adopt a friendlier manner with people. (The fact that my Portuguese is quite good makes this easier, to be sure.) So I'm going around chatting with people the way they do here. It's a bit terrifying but also feels good!
Perfectly captured. Next will be trying to follow conversations during a diner party... It took me years until I felt confident enough to dive in and participate.
Oh my goodness. It happens a lot. Still.