Re: Chris Colfer Appreciation Thread!--part 7

[ColferInspired]

[Glorfindel]

^Kevin is Chris' #1 fan.  

Utah is beautiful - prettiest state in the country, in my completely unbiased opinion  . It's the largely Mormon culture, particularly up north, that can take some getting used to if you move there from somewhere else. I'm not dissing the Mormons either, since I was one born and raised, and most of my loved ones still are. It can be a bit of a different world though  

The Grand Canyon is actually all in Arizona, but gorgeous Lake Powell lies mostly in Utah, and is another place to visit if you ever get back there. It was created by damming the Colorado River (that made the Grand Canyon), and is just as amazing I think.

Yes, I can imagine living in a part of a country with a heavy emphasis on religion (any religion really) can have a big influence.    

I now remember I indeed went to Lake Powell back then (took a 'cruise' to see the Rainbow Bridge) and travelled to the Grand Canyon from there. It was so beautiful, with the stark color contrasts between the blue water and the red rocks still rising above it. It looked like a flooded Monument Valley (which lbr: it basically is  ).                

And don't people speak english? It would make it easier to communicate. Or people are like those who prefer to speak their own language?. And sadly you can't do nothing about rules, either you respect them or commit an offense.

Haha, most European people speak english, but a lot of (old) people don't like to speak it in their own country, especially near the borders where old border conflicts  are still part of the long toes and pride of the nations (and therefore language is a confirmation of their own identity).
Especially the French refuse to speak english, seen their touchy history of wars with England. And in Belgium there is a language border (French vs. Dutch) that is still part of many current political conflicts, so speaking Dutch in the French part of Belgium can be tricky and vice versa, lol. As I said: deep and long roots of history.

But to be fair: if foreigners notice that you actually try to speak their language first but can't do it properly to express yourself they usually don't mind switching to english, and from personal experience I know that Germans often compliment foreigners when they try to speak their language.
I personally think it's only respectful/courteous to at least address people in their own language when in their country. It's when they enthusiastically assume from those few words I mutter that I can speak their language fluently that I overestimate my lingo knowledge and make a mess of things.
Remember Chris and "Je suis une towel"? That's basically me.  

and being an american, i have never been to these places. so jealous. i hate you marie.      

I love you too, Kim. 



(And wow, have we gone off topic. )

[coxfire]

Especially the French refuse to speak english, seen their touchy history of wars with England.

Hey, it's less and less true among young people, you know, please don't make generalizations.

and it's not more "refusing" rather than having a poor level and being completely embarassed by it. I have a lot of friends whose english is not that good, and are completely inhibited when they have to speak it. The fact is that our learning methods for foreign languages do SUCK.[/quote]

[Glorfindel]

^Hold your horses: I agree on all points.  
Noticing a repeatedly encountered trend/trade of a country and/or its people is not generalizing and calling an entire nation out imo. After all: we made fun of a lot of Americans' casual clothing when on holiday yesterday: doesn't mean all Americans dress like that.
And although I didn't put it directly in the french example, I did mention that it's mostly old people who refuse to speak other languages than their own. It's true that most younger people speak english when asked.

It's too bad that the French (like the Germans and in Spain?) dub everything on tv because I think listening to the original language helps learn that language a lot, even when it's just a sound in the background while reading the subtitles during a movie.

[Lottie2303]

^ Oh, I think Germany does an amazing job to dub movies/TV shows (in Poland apparently the movie is dubbed by one person in an emotionless voice), but it would be so much better just to listen to the original with subtitles. I also highly appreciated the English television when I lived in the Netherlands and was lazy cow who didn't learn the language.  

Many complain about the Germans, as apparently we just start talking English when foreigners start conversations. Those who actually want to speak German sometime have a very hard time to actually get the chance.  

However, currently I am annoyed about all the anglicism as currently many words are unnecessarily translated from German to English. I'd like it if more Germans would be a bit more proud about our country and language.

[brisallie]

^Kevin is Chris' #1 fan.  

...
I personally think it's only respectful/courteous to at least address people in their own language when in their country. It's when they enthusiastically assume from those few words I mutter that I can speak their language fluently that I overestimate my lingo knowledge and make a mess of things.
Remember Chris and "Je suis une towel"? That's basically me.  

 

Kevin has a boy crush on Chris  and who don't?

Going back to the off topic, thanks for explain me why is the reason behind why some countries prefer not to speak the language of the "enemy". And also I think is nice and respectful when foreigners try to speak the local language, for instance I like when a tourist try to say few words in spanish, and sometimes they feel so complicated looking for the right words, that is better to help them.

Do people understand you when you speak french like Chris? Oh that's boy, why he doesn't take some french lessons?

[coxfire]

^Kevin is Chris' #1 fan.  

...
I personally think it's only respectful/courteous to at least address people in their own language when in their country. It's when they enthusiastically assume from those few words I mutter that I can speak their language fluently that I overestimate my lingo knowledge and make a mess of things.
Remember Chris and "Je suis une towel"? That's basically me.  

 

Kevin has a boy crush on Chris  and who don't?

Going back to the off topic, thanks for explain me why is the reason behind why some countries prefer not to speak the language of the "enemy". And also I think is nice and respectful when foreigners try to speak the local language, for instance I like when a tourist try to say few words in spanish, and sometimes they feel so complicated looking for the right words, that is better to help them.

Do people understand you when you speak french like Chris? Oh that's boy, why he doesn't take some french lessons?

Hmm, not sure we understand fully. if you are lucky and speak to someone with good english notions, yes, we could understand, otherwise...Basically, we try to help the one in front of us, except of course some people: my granny for instance would be completely panicked and unuseful (she would speak French to you, but as if you were completely idiot or 4 months old ), and also some jackasses who don't even try. But basically, we would try to help, find other resources (body language, "talk" with the hands), but no, I don't think we expect the whole world to speak French or take lessons

[brisallie]

@coxfire, do you know why there's that misconception that french people are not nice with those who don't speak french?

[Buenos]

I've been to France several times and I have to say its my personal experience that many folks will accommodate you by trying to help you out when you don't speak French.

[coxfire]

@coxfire, do you know why there's that misconception that french people are not nice with those who don't speak french?

Oh, Iknow. and I think it was true, maybe 10 years ago, but not anymore. The young French are much more open to europe than they used to be, and most far more friendly than before. And English is slowly improving (it still sucks, but we try)
 
Besides, I think there is a big difference between people you'll meet as a tourist (waiter, taxi driver, receptionnist...) and "local" people you'll meet in a street or in a bar. And I think the difference is not only directed at foreigners: we ourselves complain about the attitude of some people in the tourism business in Paris (but this is generalizing, it's not true for everyone)
 
I can't see any of my friends or relatives be deliberately rude to a foreigner that would require help but not speak french, really. I know people who can't speak english, but they'll try to help anyway. I know I do, at least.
 
It reminds me of earlier this year, when I was in Barcelona. I can't speak spanish, but tried to ask if we could take away our bottle of wine that we had not finished, which ended up as "Puedos..."pfffuuuit" la botella?", which was ridiculous, but had the benefit of making the waiter laugh a good 5 minutes . and I could take my bottle away in the end, so WIN.

[brisallie]

@Coxfire, the people that have told me that, should comeback to France and see how things are different now . Thanks for clarify that french people are willing to help you, even though you don't speak french, but still I believe is nice to know few words at least.

And do you tried to say "Puedo pedir la botella"?

[coxfire]

@Coxfire, the people that have told me that, should comeback to France and see how things are different now . Thanks for clarify that french people are willing to help you, even though you don't speak french, but still I believe is nice to know few words at least.

And do you tried to say "Puedo pedir la botella"?

HA!! Thanks for the advice!! I'll ne sure to use it next time !!

[brisallie]

@Coxfire, the people that have told me that, should comeback to France and see how things are different now . Thanks for clarify that french people are willing to help you, even though you don't speak french, but still I believe is nice to know few words at least.

And do you tried to say "Puedo pedir la botella"?

HA!! Thanks for the advice!! I'll ne sure to use it next time !!

You're welcome/De nada. If you ever needs help with spanish, ask me.

[fantastica]

i love that our community is like a little united nation. people from all over the world gather here for a common love. only if the rest of the world can be this peaceful and harmonious.  

[Buenos]

Actually I speak Spanish so I'm guessing you were trying to say "puedo llevarme la botella?" (Can I take the bottle?)

[ColferInspired]

_{rolanblazer: Jus me hanging with @ChrisColfer talking about the upcoming glee season #backstage #XD#dancingwiththestars #glee}

[Buenos]

Wow that was a quick German trip.  

[ColferInspired]

DWTS.

[ColferInspired]

[ColferInspired]

They are sitting so close they are physically touching.

[ColferInspired]

[ColferInspired]

[brisallie]

i love that our community is like a little united nation. people from all over the world gather here for a common love. only if the rest of the world can be this peaceful and harmonious.  

Kim that's so sweet  

Actually I speak Spanish so I'm guessing you were trying to say "puedo llevarme la botella?"  (Can I take the bottle?)

Your spanish is quite good  bastante bueno.

_______________________________________________________________

Looking at those pics from DWTS, I really like that Chris brings along Will to support his friend. It seems like he's already part of the group.

[ColferInspired]

i love that our community is like a little united nation. people from all over the world gather here for a common love. only if the rest of the world can be this peaceful and harmonious.  

Kim that's so sweet  

Actually I speak Spanish so I'm guessing you were trying to say "puedo llevarme la botella?"  (Can I take the bottle?)

Your spanish is quite good  bastante bueno.

_______________________________________________________________

Looking at those pics from DWTS, I really like that Chris brings along Will to support his friend. It seems like he's already part of the group.

And it's so wonderful to see.

[ColferInspired]

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