Issue No. 18

Language classes, French radio and
television will help in your quest to settle
here. My school-French was pretty rusty, so
I went to language classes when I first
arrived. We listen to French radio in the car
and watch the actualités (news) on French
TV – though we do turn over to British TV
for Downton! Your 'O' level French might
need brushing up: language does change
over the years, and what you learned at
school is not necessarily the French you
need today.
Many of the French will speak a little
English, and shop staff often go out of their
way to help foreigners. The local tax office
might even have someone who speaks
English to help you 'arrange your affairs',
and the EDF electricity board have an
English-speaking helpline. However, this
isn't enough to make you truly happy in your
new environment. You must mix with French
people whenever you can. Perhaps you can
join the 'Comité des Fêtes' in your village.
Help out in your community as often as
possible; it will be noted and appreciated –
and your French will improve enormously.
CULTURE
The culture in France is subtly different to
UK culture. The French have a different way
of doing things: they think differently and
have different values; they prioritise
differently and live quite differently. For
example, you have to get used to the long
lunch hours, when banks and shops close.