well I dont see the point of speaking to another Brit in French or any other language...like you Wendy...am sure no other nationality would ignore their own language when speaking to a fellow national...
Totally agree Phil. I find it totally ridiculous that English speaking stop speaking English the moment they go out their front door. I'm married to a French chap with 2 daughters 3 and 7 yrs... I speak English to my kids all the time and am treated just like all the other mums at the school gate / cycling club / ballet class... wherever...
That's right Carol, I feel that's the way to true integration, it really doesn't matter what nationality you were born, we all have something to bring to the table. Just think, if the UK had not had an large influx of Indians, for instance, it would have missed out on the delights of the curry!!
I have a friend living in Vaison which I understand from her, has a real mix of all Europeans....and like you Phil, they have amazing get togethers...its a real mixing pot which includes French and its French which is the language of choice for all.
It's quite ironic that many English speakers (whether English, Scots, Irish or from wherever), move to France and find themselves in the mix with other English speakers who have done exactly the same thing, then become dodgems trying to avoid contact with "les Anglais".
How about just putting the language and culture to one side and mixing with all, whether English, French or other speakers!!
We went for a lovely evening at some friends in Moux, Aude and we had English, French, German, Greek, Irish, Scots and we Manx around the table. A veritable European mix.
Got to plug my mates, Peter and Johann's duo, the Moux Brothers, available for parties, weddings, bar mitzvas etc!! CD also available lol.
We have tried to do that as well Martin but our local little bar in the village has just closed for the 2nd time, guess the Austerity is hitting us bad here....will have to go to the next village now!!!
We live in the middle, and have been quite well accepted by our locals, part of that i think is because we're known for going to the cafe where the French go instead of the cafe where all the English go, surprising how people treat you differently if they see you intergrating more.
Martin.
That is definately good to hear Brian, when we were there the other week there seemed loads but guess like us they were visitors...such a pretty place although I did pop in to an Estate Agents and guess what...yep they all were English haha!!!
LOL...
Around Montignac immediately there do not appear to be that many. I met one of my countrymen up that way who has been here over 40 years, married to a French woman, but now has grandchildren and is deeply rooted here. He hardly speaks anything but French but when I said that I was not English and he asked for my origins, on my response almost the most broad Aberdonian I have ever heard shook me. Just for once, leaving my slightly Souf Lunnen Cambridge English behind, I slipped into Hieland Scots and we had a good natter atween the twa o' us. But generally, surprisingly at Montignac one would expect many more to visit Lascaux 2 but so far it seems to be a few organised coach trips rather than individual visitors or people living thereabouts.
a wise move Maria, Brian knows the area far better than me living there and will give you a far better idea, for the record I never speak English in public either, my OH and kids only speak French for the moment anyway - it was just to get an instant feel for the reaction, but there again if there really are that many English around nobody will notice! ;-)
Agreed Brian....
Aaaargh, Eymet is little England, we keep clear although it is only about 25 minutes drive away. Stick with the Vézère valley which is ten times as beautiful anyway and a fair few less Anglais.
Wow you do live in a beautiful area Brian we might take another trip down to try and gauge the feelings and might even do as Andrew suggests. We went to Eymet and I could have been in England....We stayed at Sergeac which is also on the Vezere River...stunning!!
I nearly always keep my mouth shut except to speak french !!!
Everything along the Vézère river is beautiful, wonderful. I am a bit of a distance from Montignac but quite near the confluence with the Dordogne. I go with the primary school to Lascaux and les Eyzies on their trips, been twice this school year and will go at least once again next. Just having those things at your 'doorstep' and all the rest of it, Rouffignac, Limeuil, and so on, such wonderful places nearby. Plenty of Anglais around, I avoid them and mainly have French friends, although I have a Welsh friend near Montignac who has been here for over 20 years and has a French partner and do go to the Irish pub in the next village sometimes. Generally people are fine, some a bit distant until you get to know them but when you do then it is a warm and friendly place - almost except those English people who keep to themselves and never learn French.
Worked in Brittany years ago and came up against some resentment. Across in the Lot there seems to be a lot too and as soon as there's a sizeable expat population that seems to be the case. Teaching in industry and businesses, I came across a lot of anti, but also positive feeling. Go to Montignac, stand in the main street for a while and speak English amongst your and see what reaction you get...!