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A comment on Ask HN: To those who became fluent in a second language, what did you do?. Parent comment

Re:Ask HN: To those who became fluent in a second language, ... by tux3 on Sunday October 16, 2016 @12:01PM (#12719202)
>I wonder if this is unique to the culture of France, or at least Paris, that they do not like to hear their language from a foreigner? Maybe the language is part of a group identity, used to identify locals who can be trusted to follow local customs? It was a little saddening.

I'm sorry to hear that. As a Parisian, I don't think this had anything to do with protecting an identity, rather we're just as happy to practice our (often terrible!) English as you are to practice your French!

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Re:Ask HN: To those who became fluent in a second language, ... by happyslobro on Sunday October 16, 2016 @12:43PM (#12719470)
Haha, I never even considered that angle. Sorry for jumping to conclusions. Paris was amazing, and the people were merveilleux :)
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Re:Ask HN: To those who became fluent in a second language, ... by adrianratnapala on Sunday October 16, 2016 @01:30PM (#12719738)
The French used to have a reputation for haughtily refusing to speak anything but French to tourists. I never observed such behaviour though.

Was this reputation always a myth? Or is it something that used to happen until a cultural change took place?

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