Why I'm Learning French

When I mention to folks I'm learning French, this is what happens.

Me: "Yes, I'm learning French"

Them: "As in the language?"

Me: "Yes, the language. I want to be fluent."

Them: Very quizzical look on face. "Why?"

Me: "Well, because, its a romantic language and when you learn one, they all kind of make sense."

Them: "Yeah, but why not Spanish? Everyone is learning Spanish! My 2-year-old is fluent already!"

Me: "Um... I don't really care for Spanish."

Them: Astonished look now. "What?!"

And that's pretty much it. They are left shaking their heads asking what the heck being fluent in French is really going to accomplish for me. They seem to think if you are going to take the time to learn a language—it should be Spanish.

Well, I'm bucking the system.

Have you been to Paris? How about just watched the recently release movie Midnight in Paris? Its INTOXICATING!! Cancun is not intoxicating. You get intoxicated there. See the difference?

I love the culture, the people, the landscape, the way they hate Coca-Cola and how they live their lives with such unrestrained passion. And I would like the U.S. to adopt their work hours and "holidays."

I have no idea what being fluent in French will get me—other than putting it on my resume. And I can order at French restaurants on business trips to impress my clients.

Except I'm scared to actually speak the language. Well, that's for another blog post.

If you are interested in learning French—try the Alliance Francais de Minneapolis.

Or a private tutor is a little more money, but its one-on-one and you'll learn quicker.

The French Film Festival is going on now until February 1st. If you have Comcast, all the movies are available to you On Demand for about $2.99 a movie. Or you can watch them online here: http://www.myfrenchfilmfestival.com/en/