Viviancake

will France finance my therapy for all of the horrors i’ve seen in the metro? 

More often than not, Parisians will switch to English if they hear an American (British, Scottish, Irish, etc. you get what I mean) accent while speaking to someone.  Since I have been in Pairs, people have been switching to English less and less, which is a very nice thing from my point of view!  However, lately I have noticed that when I am obviously having trouble expressing myself in French the French person who I am talking to, won’t switch over to English like they used to.  So, when I am completely stumped, exchange my pride for a pice of the English language, and finally say that particular word missing from my French vocabulary in English, the person who I am talking to is a bit shocked, and usually says something like:

“You’re American!?”

“You speak English? Me too!!”

I have been saying yes, but after this last month I think I might start saying otherwise for my own sick enjoyment. Anyways, when I do answer them with the “yes” (yes, I am American…) they tell me that I have a Spanish or Italian accent and thought I was from one of those two places.  This  has been happening more often than not and I don’t understand why!  I would think that my accent would be getting “Frenchier” over time, not Spanish and certainly not Italian.  Two languages I know close to nothing about.

Just about once every week at dinner my host family asks me, “So, when do you want to get married?”  ”Do you want to get married?”  And each week, I try my best to honestly, nicely, and in French explain, no - as in “I haven’t thought about it yet.  I think I’m a little too young.”

“Yes, well, maybe when I’m in my late twenties maybe.  I haven’t really thought about it… I would want to when it’s right… after I’m finished with school and everything.” is usually my standard answer.

“But that’s too old if you want kids! Most people get married in their twenties.”

Their answer every time. 

I don’t understand. 20 is young? Right? Yes, it is.  I really hope it is.  They beg to differ. The one time when I responded, with “29” instead of “late twenties,” my answer was acknowledged with a “huuuhh!” and an “oh non non, ça c’est trop vieille!” followed by different French terms for “cat lady” and “spinster,” but presented in the nicest way possible.  

Oh là là.

So I’m stealing photos from friends!

I’ve been using disposable cameras, and will see the turnout of these in June…