C1 comprehension/speaking: understanding strangers and not responding too quickly.
Hello all,
I'm currently at a C1 level in French, working towards a C2, and I'm looing for advice on two challenges I am having with comprehension/speaking. I use French both in Metropolitan France and Québec.
A stranger will come up to me and ask a question, and I will have no idea what they said, whereas I can understand well once we start having a conversion. Part of this is likely my ADHD, I struggle with this sometimes in my first language (English) as well, but way more frequently in French. I have to get in the habit of asking someone to repeat themselves more slowly, because I often freeze and then just fumble the conversation. Does anyone have other advice for working on this situation? Is there some resources somewhere of common questions you will be asked in public so I get used to hearing them?
Someone will ask a question, and I'll panic and say "oui" right away, even if I didn't understand what they asked right away! I need to break this reflex somehow. I was at a conference (in French, in a completely francophone audience) this past week and the presenter asked me a bunch of questions about myself, and I kept answering quickly instead of waiting for the question to sink in. Naturally, I didn't answer correctly. I often understand the question a few seconds after they finish asking it, and I don't actually need them to repeat it. Any advice is much appreciated.
I think I'm also putting a lot of pressure on myself to sound as close to a native level of speaking as possible in French. Thus, I feel like I have to respond right away or strangers might automatically assume I don't speak French.
Thank you again.