the four repetitive questions
So, what are you doing in this country?
Do you like it here?
Don't you miss home? Your family and friends?
Wait, you're American? How'd you learn how to speak French so well?
Do you constantly get asked these same questions in your country of residence? Does it annoy the hell out of you? I'm wondering if it is just specific to the country I live in (France) and to the way they treat foreigners, or if this is a universal thing that expats all over the world go through.
I didn't mind answering them when I was a student. In fact, it seemed pretty normal to be asked that kind of stuff. But after three years of living here, I am so fed up with being asked these same questions everytime I meet someone new. In fact, whether or not a new person asks me these questions tends to have an effect on whether or not they make a good impression on me. I guess it's also the way they ask them - sometimes I get the vibe that my interlocutor thinks it's weird that an American would have chosen to live in their country, but other times it's out of sheer curiosity and desire to learn about other places.
Anyway, what do you think? Are there other questions that those of you in other countries get asked every single time you meet someone? How do you feel about it?
x-posted to francophiles, expats, and americansabroad
Do you like it here?
Don't you miss home? Your family and friends?
Wait, you're American? How'd you learn how to speak French so well?
Do you constantly get asked these same questions in your country of residence? Does it annoy the hell out of you? I'm wondering if it is just specific to the country I live in (France) and to the way they treat foreigners, or if this is a universal thing that expats all over the world go through.
I didn't mind answering them when I was a student. In fact, it seemed pretty normal to be asked that kind of stuff. But after three years of living here, I am so fed up with being asked these same questions everytime I meet someone new. In fact, whether or not a new person asks me these questions tends to have an effect on whether or not they make a good impression on me. I guess it's also the way they ask them - sometimes I get the vibe that my interlocutor thinks it's weird that an American would have chosen to live in their country, but other times it's out of sheer curiosity and desire to learn about other places.
Anyway, what do you think? Are there other questions that those of you in other countries get asked every single time you meet someone? How do you feel about it?
x-posted to francophiles, expats, and americansabroad