An American in France
I worked in France a few months, once I got lost trying to get to the train station in a small town... I stopped an elderly woman for directions and said (in very bad French) "excuse me but I dont speak French very well...." She just said with a smile "Yes that is correct" and walked off
I gave her the perfect set up and I cant blame her for taking advantage of it...
In general the French were very open and pleasant people, Many loved having an english speaker to practice their English with...
I am linguistically challenged- I can read french but it is VERY difficult to speak or understand it- my ear just doesnt catch the words...