I'm in Paris for the weekend and I'm struggling to get by. I can speak basic phrasebook French but when they reply in rapid French I haven't a clue what they are saying. At FNAC in Forum Des Halles, I offered too much money and the guy gave me back the extra €20 note and smiled and said a big long sentence and I had no idea what he was saying and i just nodded foolishly. 
Also despite my best efforts they can tell immediately I'm not a native speaker and they switch to English, while I try to be courteous by attempting to speak French...
Is there something wrong with the French that is taught at school? It bears little resemblance to how real French people speak the language

Also despite my best efforts they can tell immediately I'm not a native speaker and they switch to English, while I try to be courteous by attempting to speak French...
Is there something wrong with the French that is taught at school? It bears little resemblance to how real French people speak the language





just wish I had a companion