Ola laadded a note 9 years ago

A funny analysis about the difference between the American and French reaction. Really Fun! And really true!

if you sound positive — or worse, enthusiastic — you definitely won’t sound French.

Consider the following:

Typical American Response: That's awesome!

Typical French Response: C'est nul.

Translation of the French Response: That sucks (lit. zero, nothing).

Typical American Response: Eh, it's so-so.

Typical French Response: C'est le bordel.

Translation of the French Response: It's a mess (lit. whorehouse).

Typical American Response: That's really amazing work!

Typical French Response: C'est correct.

Translation of the French Response: It's correct/proper.

Typical American Response: I, like, really can't wait to get going on this, it's, like, going to be fascinating?

Typical French Response: Je m'en fiche.

Translation of the French Response: I don't give a shit.

Typical American Response: Good morning, ma'am! I don't have the answer for that but if you give me a moment I'll call over someone who can inform us.

Typical French Response: Ché pas.

Translation of the French Response: Dunno.