Off. Kurassier M 99/02

Guys, wait till you try learning Arabic. Then French and German become quite easy 8-)

English is actually among the easiest and friendliest languages to learn even at a late stage.

Ed, beautiful piece! =D>

My hunch is the owner purposely placed the cross ventilation to the front to highlight it more. Same as those Prussian Guard Shako stars that would have the Mitt Gott on top. As a Christian, I would've probably done the same.
 
Nice joke Gustaf, but it’s a little harsh to our American friends,
Click to expand...

It might be harsh but it's true. We are not alone however. Our last couple books really show how the English language has copied history from one author to the next for a century.

Ronny,

I tried Arabic once and you are right on.

:sad4:
 
My family and I had a similar encounter in Koblenz during a rail strike. The fellow in front of me complained strongly (in English) to a conductor about the German trains and how he had business obligations. The platform conductor answered in German that he was sorry. I, in poor German, I explained that my family and I would like to get to Muenchen so we could catch a train to Garmisch Partenkirchen. He smiled and replied something like, "Kein problem, in halb Stunde Sie koennen an der I-C-E mach Muenchen fahren" (only in good German) in a half hour take the ICE all of the way to Munich. It was one of the most memorable rides of our lives.
I get very bothered by fellow tourists (I love being a tourist!) who don't even TRY to at least greet people in a native language. I've learned German, Arabic, Czech, French, Polish and some Scottish Gaelic in order to communicate better in those countries. It's not difficult and it makes a world of difference… Especially in places like Paris, where even the ability to smile and say 'good day, how are you?' will earn a smile in return, rather than a look of contempt. With even a little language, you meet people who enjoy seeing you visiting, rather than wishing you'd go home.

And yes, the joke is quite true.

:D Ron
 
Thanks Ed, for the comment on my new avatar. It took me three tries to get it right, but I got it! The helmet is mine, but the photo is still the Weitz one with the name imprint removed (photoshop). I'll get some of my own photos up someday.

:D Ron
 
I think that any attempt by a foreigner to speak ones native language is a compliment that appeals to the better side of most people, when approached by someone in this situation, I always want to help out. I also believe that as was pointed out, that geography definitely plays a role here in North America. Europe is small by comparison and contains many languages so thus, the European must learn these as part of daily life. I am sure that he/she would be just as lazy as we in North America if this were not true. This huge continent, is English except for Quebec which struggles to survive. I do know that there is one commonality here, intelligence and a love of History, I guess that's two things which cross oceans. However, I digress, the bottom line.... I have a great respect for any person who has a command of more than one language and I personally intend to pursue German and French in my retirement.
 
We love to believe that we have evolved, but I’m sure we would be surprised if we discovered an alien planet, to find that everybody there, lives in groups with different beliefs and languages …
Oops, almost getting philosophically here :oops:
 
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