What kind of .....

[Brian]

Brian I don't know if it's of any interest to you but I noticed Guitar Strings for sale at Cultura in Poitiers.

Thanks for that, Fred. I have bought strings from Cultura in Limoges - they have a reasonable selection but not as good as the Poitiers machine.

However, I now dare not show my face in Cultura music department.
I went there to buy a small amplifier (the 50watt Fender being too lound for home use).
I browsed the display and then, wishing to try a couple before buying one, approached the counter where I spoke with all the confidence of a "rosbif imbecile":
"Bonjour monsieur. J'aimerais essuyer des amplis - le Yamaha et le Marshall, celui-la".
Not surprisingly, he looked baffled. By using mime as well as speech, I eventually made him understand that I actually wanted to "essayer" the amplifier.

I did not realise my mistake until I was walking out of the shop, amplifier under my arm. That reminds me, I must buy some cleaning cloths...