Re: Foriegners who refuse to assimilate rise to municipal power...

On Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:33:42 -0000, "DVH" <dvh@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


"True Blue" <tb@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

I don't think there's a "should" about it. But if you want to live an
interesting life, it's always better to try, in my view. As Ravioli says,
it's a bit sad to hear about folk who don't bother.

I lived in Germany for four years, so I did the courses and could order my
beer with pride. If you're English (and therefore speak "international")
and only make brief, five night forays to Italy or wherever, it's
debatable whether you have an obligation to courtesy to learn more than
just the rudimentals. I was in Barcelona last year and we sat in a square
having lunch and for an hour listened to Spanish waiters talking in
English to French, German, Swedish and Italian tourists. The only Spanish
we heard was when the Manuel spoke to me and I ordered in Spanish. Very
bad Spanish, it has to be said.

It's a good way of making friends. But in any case the worst thing you can
say when someone talks in their own language is "I don't understand
Portuguese" or whatever language it is. End of conversation. "Do you speak
English" seems a better opener.

After that you can get down to discussing the war on your own terms.

everyone educated speaks inglish...

regards

--
web site at www.abelard.org - news comment service, logic, economics
energy, education, politics, etc 1,552,396 document calls in year past
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all that is necessary for [] walk quietly and carry
the triumph of evil is that [] a big stick.
good people do nothing [] trust actions not words
only when it's funny -- roger rabbit
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