As I left the clinic this morning, I looked out the door at the pouring rain and exclaimed a little “Ouf!”. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more French 
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I’ve picked up a few of those along the way, perhaps my most used mini whinge is Aïe; I find myself doing it a lot when I’m getting up from the sofa for example, and my back is aching… That’s also how I know I’m getting old!
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When you use the “P” word to express surprise and/or dismay, your Frenchification is progressing nicely.
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@NotALot - I assume you’re not talking Pfff… That’s another good one I’ve adopted. 
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Hah, in a previous job I managed the UK team that worked on a joint “Plan d’urgence Transport” or PUT and it took me all my effort to make sure that the UK team always used the full name or called it the P-U-T and never used it as an acronym.
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Mince is one that I’m gradually starting to use…
Non-verbally, have you noticed the “French sympathetic face”? Slightly furrowed brow, head a little tilted, plus a slow nod.
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Many versions of the original swear word. I know lots of people who say ‘punaise’ or ‘purée’ and one mate says ‘putee’ which becomes ‘petit’ after a few glasses.
‘Mince’ is a nice one but my favourite has always been ‘Zut’ !
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Ah, the French version of “flip” instead of “f***”.
Russians use “blin” instead of “b***t” when Babushka is in earshot to avoid a close encounter with whatever kitchen implement she’s holding.
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(pronounced manse) Been using that for years now, ever since I asked our (then) Secretaire what was acceptable in more or less any situation depending on how one says it. 
some examples below.. and it works every time.
For me, a gentle mince means “oh dearie me..”
A forceful mince means “drat and double drat..”
A sad mince means “oh dear, I’m sorry to hear that…”
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Anyone been brave enough to say “Ooo la la, la la?
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Yep… I’ve done that.
can mean so many things depending on the tone/music of the voice
eg: “wow, well done” or “ooops, did you really mean to do that?” 
and if I’m asking after her husband, a neighbour always shrugs her shoulders and says “pffff” while baring her teeth in a tight smile 
. H e won’t make any effort to do what the doc tells him to and wonders why his health isn’t improving..
so for her, “pffff” means “he’s being pig-headed as usual” 
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“La, la,” is sufficient for me
Voila, voila, voila in a descending voice and with drama is something I hear a lot but haven’t used…
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Not I, but my Francilien friend does all the time. (Edited) He pronounces it “Oh loh loh loh loh”.
I’d like to find something a bit antiquated, like “Gadzooks”.
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Anyone manage to use “quand même” ?
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Bon ban is one I picked up inadvertently from the ancients in the village we used to hang out in,
Mortecouille is like gadzooks. Saperlipopette is nice and inoffensive. Sapristi when you’re surprised. Gougnafier is a word for a useless person. Of course the usual way of expressing slightly theatrical displeasure is p de b de m.
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Thanks. Gougnafier is going to be my new favourite word now.
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Is that a reference to wedding tackle?
I like piniouf. And, in Spanish, gillipollas. Similar meanings.
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Purée de boule de mince, obviously.
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