TBH I get the feeling that most posters on here don't speak much spanish either How do you know these Brits who embarrass you aren't just on a weeks holiday...do you expect them to study a foreign language everytime they go abroad If people don't want to learn spanish then it's their loss. Likewise if te Spanish don't want to learn English when working in a tourist area then it's their loss!

Must be different Germans on the CDS. Most use English to converse to spaniards, loads of German bars, sausage stalls, bread shops...bit like the English really. The Dutch has bars frequented by er Dutch. Best pancakes and apple pie outside Den Haag

That is probably a bit of the problem the fact that the more or less world fallback language being English. It can be assumed by say many Spaniards that the ignorant person they are trying to communicate with are English when in fact they may well be German Dutch Scandinavian or from many other English speaking Countries. I was speaking to 2 guys in a bar in our village last year when out on my own, one of them I would not have known was not English he spoke it that well they were both Danish.

It is embarrassing when you do see a British person just speak English in a slow and laboured way as if they are speaking to an imbercele. Jacky does have a point that if you want and encourage tourists to an area as holidaymakers then It would be advisable for your staff to speak some of the language of the tourists. Only thing with that though is we try and encourage tourism in the UK but don't generally don't do that we expect them to speak English. There is no excuse for not carrying a little phrase book and making an attempt.

As for the food thing well I was stationed in Germany for quite a while and quite enjoy visiting Torrox as walking on the sea front you can get just about any German food you want, so I don't think it is just the Brits that expect that.

I always think living in a Spanish village with other Europeans such as Germans Dutch Scandinavian as well as Spanish, if the none Spanish learn a little Spanish then they can all communicate with each other that then becomes the common language. However I do from trying know that is easier said than done but just have to persevere.

well where you live must be the place where the real gobshite Brits congregate, because most Brits know the places where Fish chips and mushie peas are served, they dont go into tapas bars to ask for them.

Ot are you just point scoring by running your own lot down.....

Not Dutch - they speak every language.

The problem with tourism in the UK is which language(s) should they learn? Probably Japanese (judging by my last visit to Bath) but that wouldn't help with tourists of any other nationality. Having said that, the UK is probably better than most countries for providing written foreign language translations.

Good points J2
It must be terrible to have such a finely tuned sense of "verguenza ajena" that poeple feel that they have to monitor non Spanish speaking Brits, and in some cases apologise on their behalf.

If I came accross Spanish people in the UK who had a low level of English even after years of being there, I though WTF has it got to do with me, did I feel ashamed for their shortcomings, no way.

Wouuld I aplogise for their ignorance, no chance.

Having learned a foreign language myself, and in my opinion to a high standard,( I seem to hold my own on here against native speakers, even though I make a few mistaks, but a lot less grammar mistakes than a lot of poster on here) because I needed/wanted to.

But what I read on this forum is a lot of posters try because they dont want to be classed like the costa Brits.

If some dont want/need to learn Spanish thats fine, but it would have seriously got on my wick if the Spanish folks in the UK had the same attitute and used lack of language as a stick to beat you up with.

[QUOTE=jimenato;10181571]Not Dutch - they speak every language.

[B]The problem with tourism in the UK is which language(s) should they learn? Probably Japanese (judging by my last visit to Bath) but that wouldn't help with tourists of any other nationality.


I think you get the meaning of what I am saying, I doubt anyone would speak every language in the world, but surely you can make an effort to gauge your potential customers. After all it was about 2 years or so ago that Spain had a big push in the UK to encourage tourism to Spain.

I would agree with the written translations both for tourism and in particular any official department, that is certainly something that the EU as a whole maybe should encourage.

Yes I do think you have a point it is as though to live in the tourist area on the Coasta's is a crime for any expat. For me it is horses for courses if you like it like that fine not for everyone, just live your own life not everyone is or would want to be the same. Some find it easier than others to learn a language, however there is no excuse for ignorance and as I said earlier a little phrase book is a starting point.

The phrase book could be a good idea, but from speaking to workers in "catering", they would rather use their limited English than have someone trying to order with a phrase book. It takes to long, simple.

Busy bars with the boss overseeing the waiters is not the place for a waiter to be patient and understanding no matter how good the intention is of the customer to show willingness to try and speak Spanish.

The vast majority of Brits here are tourists, and tend to be the ones who demand fish & chips at tapas places and get frustrated when someone doesn't speak english. There are a handful living about, but definitely in the vast minority. But most that live here are decent and respectful types.

And by the way, have a look at the title of this thread, and further read the first post. Despite your need to believe it's just a fluke, happens everywhere, and not something that's consistently a British character, it's actually more common than you might like to believe, especially apparent when you have the benefit of direct comparison to other nationalities' behaviour.

It's not exactly a secret. Brits exhibit an overwhelming tendency to want everything to be "British", whilst other nationalities are much more likely to embrace the local character. Why do you think places like Benidorm and Magalluf even exist? Check out the travel forums. Brits are always asking if some destination is "British" enough, and which restaurant has the best F&C, and how much does Strongbow or Tetleys cost?

Wouldn't want to be subjected to something "Foreign", would we?

In my case it was in a hardware shop, not the sort of place a tourist would be visiting, and they were buying an ironing board, again, not a normal 'tourist' item.

Yes sorry I know what you mean I would use the phrase book prior to being at the bar to work out what I wanted that is what I meant. Of course may be a problem when they reply. We should all try all be it some will crack it some will struggle and no doubt some will never learn much more than Hola. Can't fault a tryer!

Sat on a plane to Crete one time from Newcastle. There was a large group sat in front all they spoke about was the Geordie Bar in Malia. Luckily they were dropped off the coach long before we were. Did pass my mind why pay all that money when you could just go down the Bigg Market?

For me it is the persons attitude to everything that matters the most. If people live in a very Spanish place they need to realise that few of them will know English. The guy I wrote about seemed genuinely interested in living within a Spanish community and yet expected all the medical staff to understand him and speak to him in English and if this was not possible he expected them to provide an interpreter.

To be fair if you earn your living from tourists it is in your own interests to learn the very basics in the languages that you encounter. Most nationalities are thrilled if someone makes an attempt. The receptionist at my surgery speaks a few languages, some more fluently than others and one day he said goodbye to a lady (I think she was Chinese) in her language and she was tickled pink.

Rosemary

A Danish couple has bought a house next to us. I met them at some art show and attempted to translate for them from English into Spanish as they were being introduced to the artist. No need, they said, when they decided to buy a home in Spain they went out and learned Spanish.
Spoke it well, too.
In reply to the OP, I think you meet one foreigner... and take away a whole bag-full of opinions about that nationality. The one grumpy British patient will have given a whole ward a chance to be bigots.

Good post,