Bill wrote:
On Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:19:53 -0700, poldy wrote:

to learn the language of the countries they visit?

I've been to Italy almost a dozen times but haven't learned anything
beyond a few phrases.

It does seem gradually there's more and more Italians who speak English
though.


The teaching of English in Italian high schools became universal well
over a decade ago.

By now anyone over about 30 or 35 should have some English.

That's probably true, but I always thought it was the height of
arrogance to ASSUME everyone spoke English! It seemed only polite to
learn - in their language - enough of the foreign tongue to say "I'm
sorry, I don't speak language, does anyone speak English?" (Usually
just my obvious floundering in their language had them replying in
English, if they spoke it.)