T minus 3 days and counting.

[baratron]

As some people have asked, here's the link to my wish list. Only get me something if you're a close friend and can afford it, please.

So this isn't a totally pointless livejournal entry, something that's been bothering me for a few days. In French at school, we learned the phrase "Excusez-moi, je descends a la prochaine." as something to say on public transport when you're trying to get to the doors. ("Excuse me, I'm getting out at the next stop"). Right. So, I have spent many, many hours in my life on buses, tubes and trams, in English-speaking and French-speaking parts of the world, and never, ever have I heard anyone use this phrase in either French or English. I've heard lots of "Excuse me", the occasional "'Scuse me, I'm trying to get out", and the odd sarcastic "Let the passengers off first please!". But I've never heard anyone say "Excuse me, I'm getting out at the next stop" - let alone having the other person reply with "Moi aussi" ("Me too").

So I'm just wondering whether anyone here has ever heard this phrase used on public transport outside of a French lesson. Yep.

Comments

[redbird]

Oui, "debarque"! Merci.

I knew "descends" sounded slightly off, but I wasn't sure why until I got to your comment; the French I'm picking up is from Quebec, not France.

[geminigirl]

I'd probably have used "debarque" as well, but I studied French in New York, and it was an interesting combination of Canadian and European. We speak a mix of English and French in the house, and it tends more towards Canadian, at this point, which is fine with me, and will probably end up more useful in the long run, considering our regular trips to Canada.