Since Paris is a heavily visited city from people all over the world it is easy to worry about speaking French. For those that worry about not "speaking French" I can tell you that most people in the downtown Paris core, especially in the hospitality industry speak some English. If you know a few French phrases my suggestion to you is to use them. In my experience the locals appreciate the effort and in return treat you well. And remember: manners matter to the French. Say "please" and "thank you" - often.
The following phrases will help you get around with only knowing a little French (I print the phrases out on a card and put the card in my purse when I travel to French speaking areas that way it is within reach to reference while visiting):
"Bonjour" (bohn-jor) Madame (mah-dahm) / Monsieur (mons-yure)" = Hello or good day Mrs. / Mr. Always say this when meeting a person it is considered polite.
"Salut" (sah-loo) = Hello
"Bon matin" (bohn-ma-tahn) = Good morning
"Bon soir" (bon-swar) = Good evening
"Bonne journée" (bunn-jor-nay) = Have a good day
"Oui" (wee) = Yes
"Excusez-moi" (ex-koo-zay mwah) = Excuse me / sorry
"Non" (nohn) = No
"Désolé" (day-zo-lay) = Sorry
"S'il vous plait" (seel-voo-play) = Please
"Merci" (mer-see) = Thank you or "Merci beaucoup" (mer-see-bo-koo) = Thank you very much
"Au revoir" (o-re-vwahr) = Goodbye (say when leaving a restaurant or store - always - it is considered polite)
"Parlez-vous anglais?" (par-lay voo zon-glay?) = Do you speak English? (Ask first before speaking English, again considered polite. More often than not a service industry person will say they speak English.)
"Je ne parle pas français" (jen parl pah frahn-say) = I do not speak French
"Ou sont les toilettes?" (oo son lair twa-lette?) = Where are the restrooms? (Watch where they point, the responses you might receive from locals include: "à gauche" (to the left), "à droite" (to the right), "tout droite" (straight ahead).
"Où" (oo) = Where
"Je ne comprends pas" (zhe nhe comp-rehn pah) = I don't understand
"De rien" (dah ree-ehn) = You're welcome
More Paris.
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