mommy always said "say please"

i had a very successful day speaking french today! miss Maria and i went shopping in Nice (after a lovely visit to the Matisse museum!) and i found it very easy to converse...when i want to buy something, boy can i figure out how to say it! it is particularly charming when a clerk wants to practice their english with you! if they are learning too, they have endless patience and understanding! a little english, a little french and we usually get it figured out! and the two magic phrases really open up the french heart...Excusez moi Madame, de vous deranger, mais j'ai une questionne s'il vous plait...and...Excusez moi Madame, je peux parler francais mais je ne suis pas tousjours sur....you wouldn't believe the trouble they will go to to help you once you've said those very polite words...the gal at the yarn shop sold me HER PERSONAL COPY of a crochet instruction book i couldn't find anywhere else!!