Places where Tourists Not Welcome?

[mikeyyc]

Originally Posted by kevinm

English is the language of commerce all over the world.

Says someone who has not seen any of the world.


Break that nugget out in the middle of the night in Shenzhen when you're trying to get a cab to your hotel after your phone broke.

[cebuan]

Originally Posted by kevinm

English is the language of commerce all over the world.

Correct, English IS. Virtually every business that has international customers communicates in English if their customer does not know their own language. That does not mean that every cab driver in the world can speak English. It means every company engaged in international commerce can, and usually does. However, there is nothing to prevent a buyer in Belgium and a seller in Quebec to use French.

You would be hard pressed to find a business office in the world that imports or exports, where there is noone in the office that can speak English to their customers.

[Dd714]

Originally Posted by mikeyyc

Says someone who has not seen any of the world.


Break that nugget out in the middle of the night in Shenzhen when you're trying to get a cab to your hotel after your phone broke.

English is the language of the world, the Chinese know it and the younger generation are learning English like crazy (I go to China at least once a year).
Cab drivers aren't a problem - SOP is to have your directions prepared and written in Mandarin, give to taxi driver. If in hotel even easier as hotel clerk or luggage guys out front will provide taxi drivers instructions. NO PROBLEM!