Do ALL Americans ......
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From: FCUK
Originally posted by brantshali
I always try to use a British accent to look smart...it sounds REALLY funny when I use it speaking Spanish in a German restaurant!!
I always try to use a British accent to look smart...it sounds REALLY funny when I use it speaking Spanish in a German restaurant!!
That sounds similar to my exploits of trying to speak Japanese in a french restaurant !!!!!
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From: FCUK
IT WAS STRANGE, BUT FRENCH ALWAYS USED TO BE THE LANGUAGE THAT IMMEDIATELY CAME TO MIND WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SPEAK A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. HOWEVER, AFTER 3 YEARS IN JAPAN, IT SEEMS THAT JAPANESE HAS NOW TAKEN THE PLACE OF FRENCH IN THAT PORTION OF MY BRAIN
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From: Central Massachusetts
I think it's great that you've had the chance to really delve into these cultures/languages, James. As you know, we yanks (many PWs notwithstanding) are a pretty mono-lingual bunch.
I truly wish I'd learned Japanese.
Rock on, James.
I truly wish I'd learned Japanese.
Rock on, James.
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From: State of Confusion
When I find myself in a foreign country (it's happened, I'm an army brat) and need to communicate with a local I usually look the person in the eye with a confident expression and pull from my rolodex of useful phrases:
Excuse me, do you speak English?
Excuse me, do you speak English?
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From: FCUK
That works most places except ....
France .... where they can speak English but are too arrogant to admit it; and
Japan .... where very few people can actually speak English and if they can they are mortally embarrassed that theirs is not as good as yours so pretend that they don't speak any !!!!!
France .... where they can speak English but are too arrogant to admit it; and
Japan .... where very few people can actually speak English and if they can they are mortally embarrassed that theirs is not as good as yours so pretend that they don't speak any !!!!!
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From: State of Confusion
It's worked for me in Paris...as long as I'm willing to suffer through a few chuckles from the various waiters, etc... 
As for Japan, I've been lucky enough to have a translator when I was in Tokyo a few years ago, so I was able to avoid any embarassment...and the translator even let me use my British accent without laughing at me...
As for Japan, I've been lucky enough to have a translator when I was in Tokyo a few years ago, so I was able to avoid any embarassment...and the translator even let me use my British accent without laughing at me...