Here comes the cleaner
I was working as a work experience student at a school in the South of France, and when I arrived on my first day, I was shown to the reception desk to inform them of who I was. In my best possible French accent, I informed the lady behind the desk that I had to see the Headteacher as I was there for les étages, which I assumed to mean 'work experience'. The lady asked me to repeat, which I did, eyed me suspiciously but sent me through anyway. After saying this to various teachers for most of the week, one kindly lady who spoke perfect English informed me that the correct word was les stages - I had been saying 'I'm here for the floors' all week!
Sent by: Hayley
Comments
I think un stage or le stage would be more correct to mean "work experience".
I phoned a friend at work once in Belfast. She's called Cliona, an Irish name. But with my French accent, I managed to be put through to the cleaner. Funny but sharp conversation followed: "Yes?" "Cliona?" "You're talking to her!" "No you're not Cliona!"
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