Gadling

Wow. The "big cities" you might find someone that speaks English. And then you use Madrid as an example of where you won't.

Madrid is the CAPITAL and the BIGGEST city. That's an embarrassing error there.

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Abha, when you're in Spain, you should be ordering that coffee in Spanish. It's not their obligation to speak to you in English.

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Abha, stick to writing about travel and avoid commentary. You're not very good at it and only serve to make you look like a fool.

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In my experience, not only do the Spanish generally not bother to learn English (or French, Italian or Portuguese, languages you'd assume they'd encounter regularly), but they often get curt and flustered if YOU don't speak perfect Spanish. I've had the girl at the coffee shop pass me over and help someone else when I didn't use the proper term for an apple tart (In my decaffeinated haze I used the Italian word, which is what happens when you try to learn TOO MANY Latin languages).

Virtually everyone I met in Rome spoke passable English. I've been there five times.

Berliners, like most Germans under the age of 45, speak reasonable English. They often just don't feel like it.

The same used to be true for the French, but in the past few years I found this to be changing. Even in perennially rude capital Paris, people can often say enough to get through a transaction or at least are more patient when communications break down to pantomiming. They deserve more credit.

And guys, please, leave the petty name calling over at usenet. There's plenty of ways to disagree without resorting to schoolyard tactics.

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"how perfectly American their accents are."

Isn't that an oxymoron?

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"It's embarrassing how here you can't even order a coffee in English at Starbucks!"

Embarassing for the Spanish-speaking employee, or embarassing for the tourist who can't even order a coffee in Spanish?

I did notice that almost no one seemed to speak much English in Spain, but I noticed the same thing in Italy. France I'm not sure about, I have the impression people don't speak as much English (or refuse to) but never really found out since I am fluent so no need to
ask.

I lived with kind of a mini-EU in the UK, and all my Western European friends, while they all spoke good English (obviously since they were studying in England), were in agreement that they resented the idea that English was a requirement, and felt that more people should make an effort to learn German/Spanish/French - which is true. (Although I
then asked them if they would learn Thai to go to Thailand.... or speak to Thais in English? It is a bit of a double-standard on Western Europeans' part... they just want people to learn THEIR languages.)

Anyway, my point is, I think there is a broader cultural attitude or tradition at work here beyond the dubbing/VO question. Not sure why the Scandinavians (and some Northern Europeans) don't fall in with it
as well... I guess it's an imperfect theory. Ah well.

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While I disagree with the premise that Spain is any worse than much of continental Europe in this regard - especially compared to Italy - if it's true, it's not about the movies, it's about Franco. During his regime he oppressed pretty much everything that wasn't Castillian and, while he's been gone for 30 years now, it takes a while for the culture to readjust.

That said if you go to the Basque Country or Catalonia you'll find the youth speak English better than some kids in the USA. And they probably speak Castillian and either Basque or Catalan as well. This being a direct reaction to that period of oppression.

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It's true that in Madrid it's very hard to communicate with anyone in English. I speak basic American school-taught Spanish (more Mexican/Central American Spanish). I was barely able to get by in Madrid because Mexican Spanish and Spain Spanish are so different, but I had a great time having to learn what was going on around me in a different language.

It's true that we expect people to speak English when they visit America, then we expect people to speak English when we visit their countries. I see a double-standard here. I have been lucky that I had translators when I visited other countries, so my stays were much easier.

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Many people of the years have worked very hard to learn English.... They are proud to had done so. I am am proud for them. But I am tired of people wanting the easy way out of everything not just the english complaint. No other country bends over backwards to help people come into this country. You leave your countries for a better life. Then you want to change USA to be like what you left. If you dont like whats here stay where you were. Conform to this country and find out how good it is to belong. I support the man who says order in English. he worked for it good for him.

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I loved the sign. Wish more people Would display it! If they live here they should learn the language. I used my charge card at the store the other day. The machine had two words, both in spanish. I ask the clerk, "Am I in Mexico?" I think alot of people are tired of ..............Press 1 for Spanish. It's time these people learn our language!!!!

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The signs are offensive. In America, if you want to make the sale, you make it as easy as possible for the customer to make the purchase. Americans speak many languages and as such it is my privilege and yours to use whatever language you want. If I really want to make the purchase, I will use whatever language is necessary. In this particular instance where the restaurant requires the use of English, I would probably order in another language and make the point that they just lost a customer.

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I THINK IT IS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE STOOD UP FOR THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE . WE HAVE COMPRMISED OURSELVES TO THE LIMIT OT ACCOMADATE THE FORIEGN NATIONLS THAT WE CAN'T EVEN SAY GOD BLESS YOU OR MERRY CHRISTMAS ANYMORE . HURRAY FOR THAT MAN TO ME HE IS AN AMERICAN HEROE AND NEEDS A MEDAL OR THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR STNDING UP FOR HIS COUNTRY!!!!!!

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By the way this man looks, he must have a friend, relative, associate or a dishwasher who does not have a very good command of the english language. I suppose they are the exception to the rule. As far as my personal observation is concerned he got what he wished for which is "publicity" but my greenbacks can go some place else.

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This is my first comment via computer to an article or issue. Some countries require immigrants to learn the national language to acquire citizenship, we don't even require illegal immigrants to learn our language and still offer them our welfare and medical. I am not opposed to citizens from other countries who wish to relocate to our country but I think they should go about it in the proper way. I think those who do enter legally are insulted when we offer considerations to the illegals.

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yeah, It's true. spanish is my mother tongue but i live in New york, so I am used to listen to every program in english. when i went to spain 3 years ago, they were showing on tv "the fresh prince of bel air" (that show with will smith) and the translation was so freaking corny; it actually made the characters of the show sound really stupid. at that moment, I realize how lucky i am to listen tv in english.

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