In France recently the only language problems I had (my french is limited to the few phrases everyone says tourists should know) was with the police. We got a parking ticket in a small Provence town and the police didn't speak a word of English. Apparently not German either as the other people there, who were reporting a stolen bicycle, spoke German and English but no French and they couldn't communicate either. I've heard that about other areas of France. Does anyone know if the same is true in other countries - such as Italy?

I wonder if it's just true of police "types" everywhere. Most of the policemen I know at home (USA) don't even speak English too well, so I wouldn't have high hopes that they'd be able to understand foreign visitors wanting to report problems or ask questions in their native language. Remember a few years ago when there was a big story about an applicant who was rejected for a police officer job (in USA) because his aptitude test results were too high and he'd be deemed a misfit?

stories...?

This thread kind of goes with the Russian police story thread currently at/near the top.

Four of us went to Oaxaca, Mexico in the end of October 2000. We found almost immediatly very few in the town spoke English. One of our group was fluent in Spanish (thank goodness), and I could speak a little Spanish with some comprehension. The local's inability to speak English did not stop two lovely farm ladies with a small child from carrying on a rip-roaring conversation with me and my poor Spanish for a full 15 minutes. You know, a smile can cross any language barrier. ALL the Oaxacan's were warm, helpful and very friendly. Lovely people. I shall return.

To all the people complaining about England: maybe if you realise that in England people speak English and not American...next time you go to a restaurant, ask for "the bill" before leaving and everything will work better.

I might suggest that you always assume people around you speak English - my friend and I were on a train heading to a small town in Germany and questioning between ourselves whether we would be able to understand when we got there. The young man sharing the compartment with us spoke up and told us he would be sure to let us know when we arrived! So keep it polite and clean!!

Once in Barcelona, we went to a very small, out-of-the-way Catalan restaurant. We only know a little Spanish, but generally had no trouble with menus, but this menu was entirely in handwritten Catalan, and they didn't have any other type of menus, and the waiter nor the bartender/cashier spoke Spanish really, so communication was, needless to say, very difficult. I even tried to say "whatever you recommend," and similar phrases, but ended up basically pointing to things and not knowing what we were going to get at all. Some of the words are sorta similar to spanish, but many were very different, and the handwriting was kinda calligraphy-like,to boot!!

HI.. Most Europeans know English, but I know in France, they like it if you try to speak some of their language. But the french know english. The first time I went to Europe I tried to speak Italian in Italy, because I thought they'd like it, but they just replied to me back in English...

In both Italy and France, I found that almost everyone spoke English well, but everyone seemed to appreciate it when I opened with a few stumbling words of their beautiful languages. A little effort goes a long way. And it's always nice to have a few of the politenesses -- bonjour madame when you walk into a shop, merci monsieur when the waiter gives you your wine. And "oh, Paris, c'est merveilleux!" sighed feelingly warms up any Francais, no matter how lousy your accent is.

I can't think of anyplace in Europe where I felt the language was absolutely essential. In fact, although I speak fluent Spanish and sort of fluent French, people will often just start speaking English to me when they realize I'm American. (well, OK, asking for antacids in a Paris pharmacy would have been easier if I'd known how to do so in French!) <BR> <BR>I once sat next to a Spanish businessman on a flight to Madrid who INSISTED we speak English because he wanted to practice. Let's just say he needed A LOT of practice. I could barely understand him & practically begged him to speak Spanish!! ;-)

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I've found it necessary, to know a bit of the language where ever i go. <BR> <BR>Being an American, i know that with some, it's a common thought that "everyone in the world knows english, so that excuses me from speaking any of the native language." <BR> <BR>When tourists visit the large city i live in, they have taken the time to learn a bit of our language. It may not be perfect, but they try. I think it only right to know a bit of the language no matter what country you go to. It can only help you.

I took an Italian course before going to Italy (Rome, Florence, Naples). Was very surprised how few people spoke English. You can probably get by in Rome not knowing Italian, but I would advise you to be able to count to twenty and make change. Most of the small shop keepers do NOT know English. <BR> <BR>A couple of phrases are just common courtesy: Buon Giorno, Buona Sera, Prego, and so on.

The people who write and say that English is spoken everywhere must not get off the beaten track much!

If you read this far, you must have a story ot two, too.

OK.....watched it too long not to add....As seasoned backpackers in our younger days and slower a little richer and a lot older, smaller backpackers, in our later years....It has to be Yugoslovia. Went there many moons ago (before the iron curtain was gone) and along the eastern border we met up with a much disgruntled population. We could not even get something to drink with hand gestures. Now this was 20 years ago, and since then have been to many many out of the way places....always traveling off the beaten path.....the trick is to find the teen agers......they can always speak english! I have been in places that supposedly they had not seen an american in a long time (or an english speaking visitor) and found that you can ALWAYS manage. Thanks to you all for some interesting reading. <BR>"TIME IS SHORT....THE END IS CERTAIN.....GO NOW! ( go enjoy..don't worry...have fun...just smile a lot)

Tell me a story, please.............

Topping, for all the people who never had a chance to read and add to this great discussion.