Originally Posted by xj47
Aside:
On the other hand, and I fall into this trap all the time as one who studied Mandarin Chinese for four years in college, depending on where you are and who you're talking to, there's a good chance that "they" speak English better than you speak the local language. In that sense, I've known people who are insulted when you try to speak to them in the local language/go out of your way to utilize their customs as opposed to just letting them be the ones to adapt. Frequently, in China as well as Europe, attempts (and my Chinese is perfectly decent) at speaking to a local in the language resulted in rolling eyes and a "How can I help you?" in English.
Oh well. I guess I'll just have to get completely fluent!
This has happened to me too, especially in downtown Rome in the summer when it's packed with American tourists. They speak in English and I'll keep responding in italian. Finally they can get kind of impatient and in a huff, and I'll say in English, "We are in Italy, where most people speak Italian, and I have studied Italian (still working on it) and am trying to honor your language and customs while I am here." or worse yet I'll say it in some broken italian, and I'll add in something about my favorite team, Roma and reading La Gazzetta dello Sport as much as possible. This usually brings a smile to their face (women), or at the very worst shuts them up. Guys on the other hand always have an opinion about soccer and sports, so this erases any tension.. However, I have yet to see Italians gruffly ask in the Parisian style "what do you want" in response to my poor Italian. They're usually very proud of their language and love the fact that you are trying it out, even taking the time to correct your pronounciation. An example, "Straciatella, per favore," I tell the gelato guy. "stracia-telllla," says the nice gelato man, smiling and giving me a little extra.
Ditto with the Chinese, except no one speaks English here. For a country in which people are running about and never queue (line) up, the Chinese, in most of my experiences, have an incredible amount of patience for foreigners trying to speak their language. They are convinced that Mandarin is one of the most difficult languages to learn and learn well (a huge source of pride, along with their history and culture). They'll stand there and say numerous things to help you understand what's going on, and if you begin to play charades to show them waht you mean (I really have no shame when it comes to this), they'll play along and try to help you out. It's very encouraging, and it's made me hate hearing the phrase, "We're in America, speak English!"
English is a tough tough language...
So yes, when in Rome, I try to do as Romans do...