Flew PHL-SFO yesterday in exit row seat. Across the aisle in other exit seats was a couple with Chinese passports, with the wife next to the door. FA came over pre-takeoff to give the required exit row speech. When she asked the Chinese couple if they were willing to perform the evacuation tasks, the husband replied, but the wife just stared. The FA asked the wife again; she said something to her husband in Chinese. The FA then asked the man if he would explain to his wife that she had to perform the exit row duties, and to ask if she consented. The man said something to his wife again, the wife replied in Chinese, and then the husband (not the wife) said yes to the FA. The FA walked away.

My seatmate across the aisle and I stared at each other, and agreed that we were glad we were near the other exit door.

Isn't the rule that exit row passengers must understand English so they can respond to instructions in an emergency situation? It would seem that this non-English speaking woman would be useless in an emergency -- especially when she was seated right next to the door -- and would compromise the safety of other passengers.