For example, if someone spoke in French, I wouldn't understand what they said. But if they spoke in English, I would.
I mean I understand that it has its use in naming desserts, but it's just not suited for day to day conversation.
Imagine this exchange:
Person: "L'eau est empoisonnée."
Me: "What the fuck are you talking about?" Takes a sip and fucking dies.
Compared to:
Person: "The water is poisoned."
Me: "Oh shit no thanks" Lives
See how confusing it is? It's just hard to relate to on a human level.
How do French people put up with this?
is this real or
It is! Before 1935 it was seen as an interjection, so you'd say something like: "Eau! L'oxyde d'hydrogène est empoisonné!" and, over time, and with French people's increasing natural resistance to all sorts of poisons, it became so normal to drink poison water that "eau", once used to express disgust at deadly drinks, became a shorthand for potable water. Crazy, huh?