Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Parlay Vou Fronsay? Not Yet, Anyway

So much in my life happens just because of where I'm standing at a particular moment.  This particular moment was on a Friday night and, yes, I did have a glass of wine in my hand.  I guess that could also be a factor.

It was a dinner party of very sophisticated and international friends.  I was the least sophisticated and the least international.  The others were laughing and discussing politics at a lively clip.  Then, talk turned to the fabulous overseas travel they were planning over the summer.

I sighed.  There were no overseas plans on my horizon.  Then they all broke into the language of love.  Yes, the majority of the group, I'd say 9 out of 12, all speak french.  They were parlaying and vooing all over the place.  Who knows what they were discussing, but it sounded romantic and adventurous.

My friend, the other anglophone across the table, looked me in the eye and asked me if I'd like to take French lessons with her.  I said yes, in English.  The night went on.  We had an exotic dessert, kissed everyone 3 times on the cheek, and headed home.

The next morning, I was answering overdue e-mail, when I saw a message in my box titled, "French Lessons."  Uh oh.  


16 comments:

~Jamie said...

When I was in college the same sort of situation happened with me only it was self defense/karate. I did manage to get conned into one lesson. I got to flip a huge man over my shoulder and land a square kick to the jewels. But other than that I was bored. I left earlier and waited for the girls next door at the bar and indulged in artichoke dip and a cocktails. They still tease that in a dangerous situation I would order a good appetizer and offer my assailant a drink. I say whatever works, right?

AudreyO said...

I'm slow at learning languages. Both of my daughters pick them up rather quickly. My younger daughter now speaks 3 languages, no problem.

Terri said...

Oh my!! Don't you just hate it when you do things before really thinking about it!!! Good luck with this one my friend.... You never know... it might be fun!?

Helene said...

Oh man...so you're kinda stuck taking the class, huh? Well, it could be fun....and maybe you could use some French lines on your husband to get him to do the laundry. They do say the French language is very romantic and sexy...I'll bet if you ask him to do the laundry in French, he'd do it versus just saying in plain English "it'd be nice if you helped every once in awhile with the laundry...hint, hint"

Anonymous said...

very cute story. I have been in a situation like that before. Oh to hop on a plane to Europe must be nice.
Please check out my non profit. We need help spreading the word
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I am following you from MBC
Erica

Deb said...

@Jamie: I like your style! I was the one who constantly ran out the door of my college aerobics class when we were supposed to take a lap around the room. Of course, I kept right on running until I hit the ice cream shop.
@Terri: Thinking things through would be good steady advice for me. Thanks for the luck :)
@Helene: Great idea! First I'll have to learn how to give him directions to find the laundry machine...I'm sure he is quite unaware of its location!
@Erica: I don't hop on planes to exotic locales quite often enough :) My last flight was to Detroit. But, that's a French word, right? I guess it's all in how you look at it. Thanks for the follow!

Terri said...

Thanks for the vote for my bag Deb! Your the greatest!!!

Jennifer said...

I've been learning the language since junior high, and at this rate, I'll be fluent by the time I'm 80!

You'll like it, really. You will.

Suzy said...

Great story! Looks like you'll be learning some French, No?

(hey! I'm following you! Your blog is great fun! From MBC!)

TheAtticGirl said...

Hi there! Thanks for dropping by my blog! Your children are precious!

I am Harriet said...

I'm with ya.
Hang in there.

Charmaine said...

My grandparents both speak French and have lived in French speaking countries for about 6 years - they would probably love it if I learned French. My husband, on the other hand, hates French and thinks it's the ugliest language (weirdo) he would tease me to no end if I learned French. He speaks Portuguese.
Anyhow, just visiting from Mom Bloggers Club, and am following you now, can't wait to read more!

Charmaine said...

Oh yeah, I do speak ancient Hebrew. More like read it since it's not spoken anymore - doesn't do me a whole lot of good, except if I am reading the Old Testament or other ancient manuscripts!

Lynda said...

Goodness, who are those friends you speak of? Something tells me they think the world of you.
Bon chance avec la Français!

Deb said...

@Terri: You are so sweet! Thanks!

@Jennifer: Well, it's good to have goals, right? I hope I'm doing something when I'm 80, fluent French would be stylish and call for an adventure :)

@Swoozie: Oui, if all goes well. Thanks for the follow!

@Shelly: Thanks!

@Harriet: I'll sure hang in there, but if I need help I'll be screaming and that works in all languages, right?

@Charmaine: Wow! French, Portuguese and Ancient Hebrew? I'm very impressed! Thanks for the follow.

@Lynda: Well, dear friend, what can I say? You are an inspiration to me and many. You are the total package. Thanks for your kind words :)

Musings of the Mrs. said...

I HATE learning languages. It was always what I was worst at, which made me frustrated and hate it. Maybe you'll have better luck.