Thought of the week

Everyone tells me how rude and strange the French people are, they are nationalistic and wont talk with strangers etc. Its probably a topic I will continue to revisit becuase I dont really understand it however I have been living in Luxembourg (on the boarder of France) for over 6months now. Since moving here I have always felt like a tourist – its not home and it hasn’t felt like it. Having never heard French before hasn’t made things easier (90% of Luxembourg speaks French) so I have always found myself on the outside of jokes and quite literally haven’t understood a word around me for the either time I have been here. In their defence my New Zealand accent really confuses them and a lot of people don’t understand me.
Now don’t get me wrong its not that these people are not nice and friendly but it’s the fact that English is their second language and it’s harder for them to speak, so communication between me and them is usually limited to asking for what is required.

The first time I felt actually comfortable in Luxembourg was about 3months ago, a group of us had been to Paris for the weekend, While I loved Paris and thought it was an incredible city when I got on the train to go back to Luxembourg I breathed a sigh of relief and actually relaxed for the first time that weekend, that for me was real turning point to this OE to Europe, it made me realise what a fantastic country Luxembourg is, however I was still sceptical about the people – the French have a real reputation worldwide and I can appreciate why.

However, over the past two weeks I have noticed another change in the dynamics of Luxembourg. That is my relationship with everyone here, especially at work. In the past I felt like it was them v me. But, for example we went to see ZZ Top the other day with my French manager – he spoke more English with me that night than ever before.

Last night we went out for dinner (with the same manager) and our French head of department. We went to a Japanese restaurant in Arlon, Belgium (yup that’s right, we went to another country for dinner) As usual the conversation was mainly in French and yet for the first time it was much more comfortable, we where included in the conversation, they wanted to know about us and New Zealand. It was enjoyable to interact with these people especially because they have lived such different lives from us, the stories they tell and places they have been are things I have never heard about. Our head of department bought his wife and two kids to the restaurant. The children where playing together – incredibly this 4 year old and 6 year old where switching between English and French, this is something that made my jaw hit the ground, you wouldn’t see this at home that is for sure.

I don’t know if it’s the fact that I have been studying French a lot and its slowly starting to pay off - I can understand the odd joke now and comprehend the general conversation (within reason of course– ask me about make up and I have no idea).
Yet I don’t quite understand what has changed, maybe its that I understand more, or the opposite that I have realised how little I understand and don’t care anymore. Maybe these French people have realised we are here to stay and suddenly because more interested in us? Either way it’s great, I had my first ever ‘BonJour’ from my manager this morning – maybe it’s because I drove him home last night in his car after dinner (and the 4 bottles of wine).

I don’t really no why or how and don’t really care - I am not complaining, lets just see if it continues.