Desi postmaster in England won't serve non-English speakers

[Bobby+Umit 161]

I don't know, every country I visited in my travels, I learned enough of the native language to get by.

I also carried a little translation book (now electronic) to help for the harder words.

Never did I expect, nor did I demand, for the native speakers to speak my language, since I was the visitor.

I expect the same when people come to my country. If your not willing to even try, I won't be willing to help you either, I would just point them to someone that may understand them.

When Umit comes here, she will be teaching me Turkish, and I will be reinforcing her English, which is the way it should be...

(plus I will be in a position to understand her when she goes into "turkish" mode)

[Saddle Bronc 124]

There was a point made in this thread that all foreigners eventually learn the language of their new country, even if it does take time.

My husband has line cooks working for him at his restaurant that have been here LEGALLY in the US for up to 10 years. They can only speak a few words of English, some speak none at all.

When you go live in an English speaking country, as long as you are living in a neighbourhood that is driven by your ethnicity, which many people do, you rarely have to speak a word. Spanish grocery store near by, spanish gas station attendant, etc.

You have to be willing to learn.

And, as I stated earlier, this is also true of Canada--where I've seen many Punjabis whose English could be euphemistically described as "broken" who have lived there for donkeys-years.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

"People are ringing me and sending me e-mails, I have that many fan mails, all helping me out," he added.

Looks to me like he needs some lessons in English as well!!!

"I have that many fan mails" --> I have that MUCH fan MAIL

Could that be a Brit vs Americanese (you may be thinking in the latter) difference?