Brief exchange at Disneyworld (EPCOT)

[underpants]

This was the only political type thing that I saw in the kingdom....other than the prevailing environmental message

(scene) me waiting behind a guy in his - I would guess - 60's who I overheard as being from Cincinnati:

Me: Hey are you from Ohio?
Him: yeah Cincinnati
Me: I was born in Xenia
Him: Were you there when the tornadoes hit
Me: No we lived in Yellow Springs then


--delay as the cashiers processed his order and the customer next to him --

Cashier 1 to Cashier 2 -- How do you say "tax" in Spanish....much delay after that. The customer said something that included "Brazilia". I realized that he probably speaks Portugese and not Spanish (I told the cashiers this later)

Him: You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?
Me: (pointing to watch) what, it is taking too long?
Him: No. If THEY are goin' to come into our country they should learn to speak our language

Me:... It's a small world after all

[liberal N proud]

1. I have a response for that...

How many languages do you know, if only one, I assume you never leave the USA. Not even to Puerto Rico.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

2. You know those idiots travel over seas...

...and get pissed when they don't speak English because they deserve good customer service just like someone local. Either that or they only go to the UK.

[liberal N proud]

6. I only know english, but, when I treval overseas

I always try to pick up a few important phrases so I can at least deal with services.

I find english only in much of Europe is not too difficult if you try to use some the gratitude phrases.

China is a whole different story however. If you don't know some key phrases forget it.

[anti-alec]

4. I know two languages fluently

English
American Sign Language

I also know (not as fluently):

Hebrew
Spanish
French (high school) (When I was in Nice, France - my "accent" was perfect French - so they had no trouble understanding me)
German


I really want to learn how to read Japanese, but it's a little hard for a hard of hearing person... I know Domo Arigato (Thank you) and Moshi Moshi (hello). I would like to read the language too.

I'm reading a little bit about Japanese culture - and if you must do business with a Japanese - it's best to have plenty of business cards handy - it's very traditional on their culture - and even Americans can respect that part of culture and exchange it, leaving it out until business is concluded. Putting it in your pocket tells the Japanese that you aren't interested in them very much.

Same for Chinese (I know they are also icongraphy-based and similar to Kanji)

[d_r]

3. I know when I was in Tokyo Disneyland

I had a wonderful day due the kindness and patience of the Japanese cast members. I can only say "Domo Arigato" so many ways.

[Speck Tater]

5. These are the kind of people...

...who when they visit Canada can't even be bothered to learn to speak Canadian.

[kestrel91316]

7. I remember that day. We lived in Beavercreek.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. Few years back

Something similar.

I told the cashier what she needed, and the guy said something stupidly similar. Hubby started with Italian, German and French, I switched to Hebrew and well Spanish.

Then we asked him if he was willing to emphasize the stereotype of an ignorant American? We apologized for his ignorance to the tourist who was surprised we could switch to so many languages. The other guy was red...either from embarrassment or rage never tried to figure it out.