Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I don't think anyone has a moral obligation to speak English. But I take as an article of faith that English is widely recognized as an international language, and everywhere I go, someone can be found ready at hand who speaks English, to assist in a situation where explanations are required. And also that any business enterprise that might deal with travelers will see the value in having an English speaking person at the front desk.
When I dedicated myself to a life of travel, I took it upon myself to learn enough French, German and Spanish to get by when traveling where one of those languages predominates, either as the national language or as a strong second language.
I've had no problems, even in China, where I encountered only 2 or 3 English speakers in three weeks. In rural towns, somebody would automatically escort me to the foreigner-licensed hotel, and when I walked in the door, my intentions were obvious and the checkin was transacted with no need for verbal language. Bus tickets can be bought just by pointing to the name of the destination in a guide book that has the name in both Chinese and Roman alphabet. The Chinese are absolutely wonderful and patient about assisting travelers who don't know the local language, even in places where travelers are rare, and I never had a moment of anxiety.
Spanish kids in London usually speak OK English - which is a shame, as most of the racist, homophobic bile they spout would sound much better in a language I can't understand.
-----
Benjamin
I live in Sitges, near Barcelona and we receive our share of English tourists, but since this town is not cheap on any account and we have no "everything-inclusive resorts", the English we receive are different, more so during September, October. The English we receive nowdays are not of the same quality than our previous English or American visitors, Chesterton, Fleming, Deering, etc, but they are certainly well raised and very educated and nobody cares if they speak Spanish or not since we all speak a multi-lingual pidging here.
Other towns, like Lloret de Mar, in Costa Brava, arrange those "all-inclusive alcoholic vacations with sex" in which 20.000 or 30.000 young English get drunk and dance, etc.for 300€...but that's the tourism that their Town Council selected...
Barcelona became the English paradise of Bachelor's Parties during the past socialist mandate, of course, those English messed up parts of the city....who's to blame? ¡The City of Barcelona! Now they put fines for p.issing in the streets, etc, but I don't see them pursuing pickpockets hard enough..or putting a limit to prices to avoid ripping off tourists or watching quality, as Franco did in the past.
Spanish local authorities are responsible fir the behaviour of those tourists, but since those English don't bother a lot and live in their large compounds in Costa del Sol, etc, and leave money, really, they are OK unless they go into big cities. Spain is a very big country.
Yes, I know about the presence of Spanish Hooligans in England....when Spain was poor, those people went as waiters, now as Football Hooligans. I'm ashamed of them.
English Hooligans are certainly noisy, the chant and scream, but their behavior is Ok here when they come, they empty our beer reserves but they are quite friendly....not in the past..Here, the Scots from the Celtics are kind of popular, they support Barça.
Which Americans can afford to travel outside of North America much these days (not people who work to travel, which I've done), in terms of money and free time? Perhaps the top 20%, and their children, who are used to having everything their way back in America are more likely to be the Americans people outside North America are most likely to encounter (not including those who are working abroad). Whereas countries with a larger middle class, where people have more holidays, have better representation when people from their country travel.
I think the average American, no matter how poorly educated they may be, will quickly understand people in other countries may not speak English well or at all and adapt. However, those who feel they're special, that they're near the top of the #1 country, that are used to having everything they want back home, may have a harder time adjusting to this and get frustrated. The richer someone is, the less likely they care if other people like them or not as well. People with less money are dependent on support from others to survive.
I would expect someone who works in the tourist industry, especially working closely with tourists - such as a hotel receptionist or tour guide - to speak English. I certainly don't expect everyone in the world to speak English but I would be surprised if it weren't a basic requirement for a position which is pretty much centered on working with tourists.
This.
I honestly can't see with some people who travel to another country where English isn't an official language and seriously expect everyone to speak English to them.
Though English is a widely spoken language, some people need to realize that it is not the only language there is in the world, and that they should not expect everyone else to speak it.
I do agree with PA2UK that if you work in the tourism industry, it would be expected to know some English to help the people traveling.
Spanish kids in London usually speak OK English - which is a shame, as most of the racist, homophobic bile they spout would sound much better in a language I can't understand.
Unlike British kids, which are soooooo nice. Especially when they're wasted.
There are resorts in southern Europe that cater to northern Europeans and that includes the language. Lagos in Portugal feels more like England with sun. ...
Funny...
Actually its just a few km down the road in Praia da Luz. And more than once a Portuguese has called it "England with sun."
Actually its just a few km down the road in Praia da Luz. And more than once a Portuguese has called it "England with sun."
That was the other place I was thinking of
Point is .... there are places in Europe which have made a business out of catering to English tourists just as there are places in Mexico - such as Rocky Point - that have made a business out of catering to American tourists. In these resorts it is reasonable to expect the local tourist industry to speak English because that is one of the key selling points that they have built their business model upon.
Other tourist destinations, where the model is different to that of catering to a specific linguistic demographic, it would not be reasonable to expect English as a standard offering.
I have had a few students tell me that we Americans expect people to know English when we travel and get upset when people don't.
my experience from traveling in europe, was that people only seemed to get irritated if i asked whether or not they spoke english.
the response was occasionally pure sarcasm: "No I don't speak English", (spoken in perfect english) as if I was suggesting they were an idiot. This happened to me in Austria, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands.
On the other hand, in Belgium, i had some interesting conversations where I would speak english, get a response in French, I'd respond in English, they'd respond back in French....
this actually worked because I can understand some French, but I cannot speak any of it. I can see how this might've been rude on my part, but I found it sort of amusing nonetheless, because they could obviously understand my English but refused to speak it.
Truth is, I'd love to be able to speak German and French and Italian, and converse with these folks in their own languages, but this is a wildly unrealistic expectation for a typical American tourist. Maybe when I'm a billionaire and can dedicate my life to international travel, it'll be practical to learn.
But , uh to answer the question -- no I wouldn't get upset . I spent a good bit of time in areas where no one spoke english, and I got along fine. Complaining that others "cannot" speak English is the height of stupidity. If they simply refuse to speak English, as they sometimes do, that's them just being overly sensitive.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
