Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
As the ball goes back and forth, keep acknowledging
the speaker, with little sighs or nods of agreement.
(There is a special way the French say
Oui
, while
sucking air in, that is a popular way of doing this.)
Show yourself to be listening attentively. If you
are getting bored, change the subject when it is
your turn.
Interruptions are perfectly acceptable in French
conversation. One French conversant need only
give the slightest pause for the other to cut in with
his response. If you don't give a pause, your French
interlocutor will probably break in. That's not being
rude, that's being participatory. The rapidity of the
interruptions and even the volume of the exchange
may increase as everyone gets more excited—like a
dance that gets faster and faster. Just remember not
to disturb others around you.
A lively conversation is a successful interaction. As
intensity builds, burst of laughter and even explosions
of anger may occur. Don't be alarmed. Drama is
part of the debate, and the quest is only for a better
understanding of the topics covered and a deeper
respect for the intelligence of the individual players
involved. A frenzy of disagreement may suddenly
collapse into a new subject; the pace changes, the
players move on.
I have been involved in heated and interesting debate
with people I have met on a train or in a café. But your
best chance of good conversation with the French is
a table
. Animated conversation happens often with
friends in restaurants, or at a dinner party. Watch a
few of them quietly to see how they play. The original
meaning of
converser
in French was 'to live with some
one'. There is a delicious intimacy established with
good conversation. That is why the French consider
it so important and make so much of it.
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