Travel Reference
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few appropriate ways they can break the privacy boundary
among strangers on the street.
When a French person gets lost (and many do, especially
in Paris), he or she will be likely to stop YOU and ask for
directions. It will be done with courtesy, even hesitancy and
with apologies for disturbing you. (Polly Platt in her book
French or Foe? calls these her ten magic words: Excusez-moi,
Monsieur, de vous déranger, mais j'ai un problème …).
If you are learning French, all the better. Here is your i rst
chance to use your new skills! Since you just arrived, it is
unlikely you have an answer in your i rst encounter. But it
won't be long before you are giving and getting directions
with the best of them.
You don't speak any French? Don't panic. It is still a great
compliment you have been paid. You look so at home
in the neighbourhood, and you present yourself so well,
you have been mistaken for a fellow French person, a
trustworthy one at that. He has overcome his Gallic reserve
to ask for your help. Apologise immediately, ( Desolé,
 
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