I've been studying languages since I was in sixth grade. My school system how to add a class that we took the gave us one semester each of German, French and Spanish in 6th grade and we were supposed to pick one of those three in seventh grade - I chose French. In 9th grade I began studying Mandarin Chinese which I continued for another three years. In 2000 I began studying Russian in earnest had a very prestigious Feinberg School. I consider myself to be near fluent in Russian, I at least have a working fluency and could work and live easily in Russia, Ukraine or other Russian speaking countries. I have completely forgotten all of the French most of the German and Spanish and Chinese. I still use my Russian on a daily basis.
I also make an effort to pick up basic phrases where ever I'm going, especially "please", "thank you", and "I don't speak X, English?"
It's a common courtesy, when in another country. Yes, most people speak a little English, especially in tourist areas. You don't need it to shop, eat out, or stay in a hotel. But it does a respect for their culture, language and country, the one that was important enough for you to pay to visit, and it engenders friendliness. They smile as you misprounce words, often because you can't read their language exactly correctly. What sound do ã and ы make, exactly?
So don't be rude. If the person you're talking to doesnt understand you, it's your fault. Not theirs.
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