Originally Posted by
KingCanute
I'm up to about 60 countries now, perhaps about 10% of which it might be reasonable to assume speak English as a first language. I don't think I've ever had a problem at Bonvoy hotels around the world but do try to pitch up and at least say hello in the local language, even if then switching to English straight afterwards.
That's not to say I haven't had difficulties at times in global brand hotels though, a CP in western China springs to mind. But generally speaking I would say that English has become much more widely spoken over the last couple of decades. Perhaps that's something to do with the internet and/or a new generation coming through, who knows...
The main issue nowadays seems to be whether people speak the same
type of English as you. Having a British accent is no guarantee of being understood, however loudly we repeat ourselves
The British English point is so interesting - in my opinion, that's the most pleasing accent! I'm obviously incredibly American, and my Southern roots come out frequently with "y'all" - however, I like to think that my mother's incredibly Southern accent mixed with my father's Midwestern accent (muddled with a teenage upbringing in the South) to make my manner of speech rather generic American. I spent most of my tween and teenage years watching British vloggers online (in fact, I still watch predominantly British creators online), so I find the British accent and slang quite easy to understand and can pick up some of the regional differences.
Back to the thread topic, yes, I bet the Internet has a lot to do with it - a younger generation brought up in a far more globalized (or should I say globalised ;-)) world.