Hello everyone,
This forum was recommended to me by an anglophone friend currently doing a year abroad in Paris as part of her degree. Myself I've been living in Paris for the last decade, though I only learnt French and "integrated" as they call it French culture since 2006. First six years here I spoke English, did my B.A. here in English and after a few attempts at approaching Parisians with little success I left them to their "arrogance and anglophobia" (quotes, because these are actually stereotypes, as I later discovered, and, while they certainly apply to some Parisians, outside of Paris the attitudes are more open and forthcoming). Anyway I stuck with my anglophone friends until the graduation when most of them went back to their home countries and I... had to learn French, rapidly. Today you won't find me any different from a typical Parisian in appearance and language, however I do miss conversations in English and open-mindedness that is quite rare among the French who never crossed their national borders
I entirely understand the frustrations many expatriates are faced with arriving here, I did myself. France I found is in appearance a cold and capricious lady, however it is worth spending the time to adapt to her and treat her right as then all of a sudden her face warms up with humanity and she becomes very generous
I'm 30, been working in Sales (Luxury Goods, Real-Estate and Financial Products) and am looking for interesting personal stories to share over a cup of coffee/tea/drink what have you. Whether it evolves into friendship (guys or girls/ladies) a short adventure (not for guys) or something more serious (still no guys, sorry) it will be a win-win scenario I'll remember the good old days as an anglophone and can explain, if necessary, the intricacies of French social, legal system and give insider tips on how to live better in this country (and it can be very welcoming). If I still need to point this out I am a male Apart from that I spent most of my life in multi-cultural, multi-lingual environments at university and earlier in a boarding school, meeting new people is something I grew up with. So any volunteers?
This forum was recommended to me by an anglophone friend currently doing a year abroad in Paris as part of her degree. Myself I've been living in Paris for the last decade, though I only learnt French and "integrated" as they call it French culture since 2006. First six years here I spoke English, did my B.A. here in English and after a few attempts at approaching Parisians with little success I left them to their "arrogance and anglophobia" (quotes, because these are actually stereotypes, as I later discovered, and, while they certainly apply to some Parisians, outside of Paris the attitudes are more open and forthcoming). Anyway I stuck with my anglophone friends until the graduation when most of them went back to their home countries and I... had to learn French, rapidly. Today you won't find me any different from a typical Parisian in appearance and language, however I do miss conversations in English and open-mindedness that is quite rare among the French who never crossed their national borders
I entirely understand the frustrations many expatriates are faced with arriving here, I did myself. France I found is in appearance a cold and capricious lady, however it is worth spending the time to adapt to her and treat her right as then all of a sudden her face warms up with humanity and she becomes very generousI'm 30, been working in Sales (Luxury Goods, Real-Estate and Financial Products) and am looking for interesting personal stories to share over a cup of coffee/tea/drink what have you. Whether it evolves into friendship (guys or girls/ladies) a short adventure (not for guys) or something more serious (still no guys, sorry) it will be a win-win scenario
I'll remember the good old days as an anglophone and can explain, if necessary, the intricacies of French social, legal system and give insider tips on how to live better in this country (and it can be very welcoming). If I still need to point this out I am a male Apart from that I spent most of my life in multi-cultural, multi-lingual environments at university and earlier in a boarding school, meeting new people is something I grew up with. So any volunteers? 
