#I cant speek french driver

The bureaucratic machine will sense weakness and ignore you. Many of my emails or queries used to start with something like “If it’s not too much trouble would you mind…” As that’s what's going to help you find a flat, a job and help you function in everyday life - it’s pretty crucial.Īs an Irish person I have a deep instinct to not want to be a burden or a hassle. It’s important to learn to be assertive and direct, especially when dealing with French bureaucracy. Visiting Lyon? Take a 360-degree virtual tour of the city to get to know it firstĪlways be direct and ask for what you want in France.Needless to say I avoided that bus for the rest of my time working there. When no one responded the elderly woman was not allowed aboard and off we went until two minutes later I so innocently pressed the stop button.

#I cant speek french driver

That announcement I so happily ignored/couldn’t understand was the bus driver asking if anyone was getting off at the next stop so they could let one elderly passenger on. Now, as is clear I am no expert in the French language, but I got the gist. I am greeted by a barrage of very loud, very angry French.

So off I go shuffling nervously down the aisle to reach the top of the bus. The bus driver has stood up again and is looking directly at me, eyes ablaze. Except the door remains very firmly shut. Immediately 80 heads spin around to look at me.Īt this point I am concerned but I’m right by the exit door and ready to hop off.

The bus comes to a halt and I stand up to get off. Meet the 22-year-old British student stuck in Afghanistan: ‘I’ve bitten off more than I can chew’Ī frisson of tension immediately ripples through the bus, the man next to me starts shaking his head and people are looking around.The most overrated tourist hotspots in the world, according to our readers.