English in Europe.

[Serrland]

I am an english-speaker in Europe. It's pretty handy. I'd say most people know enough basic english for you to get by in any busy area of the EU.

There are obvious levels of disparity. In Italy- few people had strong english, and many couldn't speak it functionally at all- even young people sometimes (I spent a month in Italy and I think I only met 2 people who you would say spoke 'good' english). Lucky for me, this improved my Italian somewhat.

Now I am living in Amsterdam. More or less everyone here speaks good english. There is the odd old person who doesn't. Obviously it is convenient- but in a minor way it is a shame, because I'm not going to automatically learn to speak dutch just by living here- I'll have to put effort in.

I always got the feel that a lot more Italians knew English than let on - but simply chose not to use it. Alas, I've been only twice, and both times stayed with family and never really got into the peninsula itself, so I don't know if my vibe was right or not.

[Keronians]

Meh. It's quite useful since programming is done in English (though, somewhat annoyingly, in American English), trading is done in English, and so on.

It is the official / co-official language of at least one country in every continent on the planet.

[Genivaria]

English is also the language of air traffic control.

There is a story, probably apocryphal, of a Lufthansa pilot approaching Frankfurt who addressed the tower in German. The tower asked him to say again in English. He snapped irately, "Why must I, a German, flying for a German airline, in German airspace, approaching a German airport, speak in English?"

Before the tower could respond, a voice with a precise British accent cut in, "Because you lost the bloody war, old boy."

I love you.

[GreaterPacificNations]

I always got the feel that a lot more Italians knew English than let on - but simply chose not to use it. Alas, I've been only twice, and both times stayed with family and never really got into the peninsula itself, so I don't know if my vibe was right or not.

I didn't find this- most of the italians I hung out with and lived with were genuinely shit at English- though enthusiastic to try and speak it anyway.

Kind of, they live in this bubble of the Italosphere- and see English more as a way of enhancing life within this Italosphere- like being able to understand pop songs or communicate better when on holidays (as opposed to wanting to engage with the world)

[The Blaatschapen]

I always got the feel that a lot more Italians knew English than let on - but simply chose not to use it. Alas, I've been only twice, and both times stayed with family and never really got into the peninsula itself, so I don't know if my vibe was right or not.

I didn't find this- most of the italians I hung out with and lived with were genuinely shit at English- though enthusiastic to try and speak it anyway.

Kind of, they live in this bubble of the Italosphere- and see English more as a way of enhancing life within this Italosphere- like being able to understand pop songs or communicate better when on holidays (as opposed to wanting to engage with the world)

Well, to be honest: Fuck the world. Most of it is more shit than Italy (or any other part of EU or North America, or Australia, or New Zealand) anyway.

[Furthermore]

No problems here.
I find it quite fun.
And I love the accents/ dialects.

[The Republic of Lanos]

If it unifies the people, then why did the Thirteen colonies break away from the UK?

An Englishman travelled forward in time and watched the Tea Party Political debate. He returned and passed on this information to the King before committing suicide.

^Not sure if serious...

Anyways. I'm an American that only knows English. This'll help me out.

[GreaterPacificNations]

Well, to be honest: Fuck the world. Most of it is more shit than Italy (or any other part of EU or North America, or Australia, or New Zealand) anyway.

Oh certainly- I don't hold the attitude against them in the slightests. Italians don't give much of a fuck. Even about issues in their own country- there is this nonchalant awareness that the situation with the economy and the government is fucked beyond belief, as well as the fact that there isn't an easy solution. So what do they do?

They forget about the economy and Berlusconi and try to spend more time enjoying good food with friends and family, and focus on living life.

Sure it plays right into Berlusconi's hand- but still the Italians have an enviable lifestyle. Things would have to get pretty bad before they did an Egypt.

Anyhow they have a similar attitude towards the world. "Oh Australia, yeah thats cool. Here try some strachhino". They aren't rude about it, but they don't really seem to care about much.

[The Blaatschapen]

Well, to be honest: Fuck the world. Most of it is more shit than Italy (or any other part of EU or North America, or Australia, or New Zealand) anyway.

Oh certainly- I don't hold the attitude against them in the slightests. Italians don't give much of a fuck. Even about issues in their own country- there is this nonchalant awareness that the situation with the economy and the government is fucked beyond belief, as well as the fact that there isn't an easy solution. So what do they do?

They forget about the economy and Berlusconi and try to spend more time enjoying good food with friends and family, and focus on living life.

Sure it plays right into Berlusconi's hand- but still the Italians have an enviable lifestyle. Things would have to get pretty bad before they did an Egypt.

Anyhow they have a similar attitude towards the world. "Oh Australia, yeah thats cool. Here try some strachhino". They aren't rude about it, but they don't really seem to care about much.

Definitely. I've been there a couple of times and they just know they have a decent landscape, fairly okay weather, good food, alcohol and relative freedom. Why care or be envious about the rest of the world?

[GreaterPacificNations]

*I once had a problem ordering a vegemite sandwich in Brussels. One Blaatpoint for the reference.

Whoa, you eat vegemite sandwiches. Fuck that sir, you get 2 blaatpoints.