You are learning greetings and first words: you will read the scene it happens in, learn 10 words and phrases, take apart the pattern behind them (the polite ordering formula), hear them in a conversation, rehearse them, and finish by saying one thing out loud to be graded.
A boulangerie on a Paris side street, 8am. The baker has been up since 3. You are not yet caffeinated. Three words will get you through this moment beautifully.
The boulangerie on rue des Martyrs has been open since 4am. By 8, the croissants are perfect — deeply golden, audibly crisp, smelling of butter and wheat and the particular warmth of a professional oven at full heat.
The stranger stands at the door. A small bell rings as he pushes it open. Three people ahead of him. He watches carefully.
Each person begins the same way: «Bonjour !» Not as a question. Not tentative. A clear, warm declaration. The baker responds: «Bonjour !» The transaction has begun properly.
When his turn comes: «Bonjour madame ! Je voudrais un croissant et un pain au chocolat, s'il vous plaît.»
She wraps them in a small paper bag. «Voilà ! Deux euros cinquante.»
He pays. «Merci beaucoup ! Bonne journée !»
«Bonne journée monsieur !» she says, already turning to the next person.
Outside, he bites into the croissant. The butter runs. He understands immediately why people move to Paris.