Have you ever gotten frustrated with someone who didn't speak English while you were visiting a non-English speaking country?
by 
AmorousLilith
ANSWERS: 17
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yea, a taxi driver in LA
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No, but I have gotten frustrated with someone who didn't speak English in an English speaking country. I no longer speak with anyone who hasn't learned the language of the country.
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no, it'S there country....I get frustrated at myself for not having studied enough of their language!
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Yes. They often think they speak English but really they don't.
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I have become frustrated at my inability to speak *their* language well.
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no. it's their country. I should speak their language in THEIR country. I do get pissed when other countries "people" come here and DEMAND that we cater to them and learn their language which is now a requirement in our public schools. Who cares if our kids can't add 1 + 1 as long as they can speak the language of someone in OUR country who is too lazy to learn OUR language. enough said
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No, It's my obligation to at least try to speak their language
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No. That wouldn't make much sense.
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No while I was in Cancun I really enjoyed learning everything I could about speaking their language. Their was a bartender at the hotel were I stayed that spoke really good English and he taught me alot.
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I just got back from honeymoon in Mexico City and most people there spoke English fine. But for those who only spoke Spanish, I had my wife along who speaks perfect Spanish.
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I haven't really travelled anywhere I didn't speak the language at least a little bit, so no. That said, when I've stumbled through a greeting or my mind blanks at "what kind of cheese do you have?" they typically switch to english.
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Interesting answers here. I wonder how many of the folks who previously answered no believe that only English should be taught in US schools? In CA, we give our driver's license exams in 5 different languages.
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No, but I have gotten a bit frustrated when I couldn't remember bits of their language though. I figure that if I am visiting another country I should at least try to learn some useful phrases to get around and a similar rudimentary knowledge of the written form. Of course, I am talking short-term tourist type situation here, something longer term I'd try to learn more of the language. I get more aggravated with people who LIVE here in the states and apparently cannot be bothered to learn our language. I get downright angry when someone tells me he doesn't "habla" when I just heard him speaking English a little bit ago.
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Earlier Travelers used the following Principle: "Any People will understand English if it is SHOUTED LOUDLY ENOUGH at them. It doesn't work in Modern Times. I tried my broken-High-School-French in Montreal some years back, and even the act of Trying seemed to open doors for me.
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It's natural to feel a bit frustrated when you can't get your message across but you have to remember: it's their country and YOU are a guest. So whatever you do, stay calm and respectful I speak four languages fluently and understand and work in another four to six at varying levels, so I don't often end up where I don't understand people, but even when it comes down to customs and regulations, the same rules apply: be polite, be calm, be respectful.
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Yeah, I was trying to order breakfast from a restaurant in Vienna. I speak minimal German. I ended up making cow sounds, and they gave me a glass of warm milk. They were sympathetic towards me and I thanked them a lot.
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Yes in Paris, France. I don't expect people in other countries to speak English, but I do expect them to work with me and try and figure out what I'm trying to communicate. The French are notorious for looking totally disinterested if you are not a native speaker.
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