[KGZotU]

The only words you need to know in French: "Je voudrais" Then just point and pay. Intone friendliness and a very moderate embarrassment.

I took a couple of years of French, though that was several years before I actually went to France. People in general were extremely courteous, aside from a rail worker or two. Luckily I didn't need to communicate anything too complicated in Paris, except for train tickets and they had an English speaking window there. Unless you're in a similar situation, I understand you're just going to get ire for trying English in Paris.

Funny story. Near the French-Italian border the rail station signs are all in French and Italian. On the other side they're in Italian and English. (; I was strangely self satisfied seeing that.

--Joe