Why do Germans not like it when you speak English to them?
I have been in Germany for some time. I noticed an interesting thing that Germans don't like when you speak English to them. I don't think they don't know the language. Someone told me that it is common for them to react like that. "If you're in Germany (not just traveling), speak German. Can't? That's your problem." Maybe that happened only to me.
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Best answer
I met different German people and didn't have such a problem. everybody was so kind and polite. They easily spoke English & German to foreigners
- Nik JedonMuttersprachlicher Tutor
Es kommt vermutlich darauf an welchen Typ von Person du ansprichst. Ich glaube dass es einige Personen nur an lernen erinnert.
Depends on the age of the people you are talking to in English. The older generation is usually not fluent in English. Most young people on the other hand do speak English.
- SzilviaGerman isn't as hard as you think!
I partially grew up in Germany. The fact is that most Germans do speak and understand English, however they want to see your effort to immerse in their culture, since you are on their "turf" so to speak. It confirms, that you are visiting because you are interested in their way of life. And I must agree with that, it's the respectful thing to do when visiting a country. No one expects you to speak perfectly but the effort counts. And seeing your efforts, they will help you, when making mistakes, without judgment.
In Germany most of people have very good knowledge of English, due to the german educational system, so for me I have never experienced such treatment. However I imagine the current political situation might be making it a lot harder for foreigners in Germany, so I think that could be the reason. However, in my experience Germans are very fourth-coming and kind to english-speaking foreigners (with the exception of some "haters")
I was living in Germany for nine years. Before that, I didn't know a single word of German. Then I learned the language because I thought, and I still do, that it's the least I could do to adapt to the life and show respect to the people in a country that was my home for all those years. After all, if someone visits you at your home, they should follows your rules, not theirs. Consequently, Germans reciprocated by treating me truly well and accepting me as their own. As a traveller, using only English is fine and no one will complain. But if you are there for a longer time and not just passing through, it's impolite - to say the least - to show no desire to learn the local language.
All depends on the person! But Germans complain when no one is speaking English overseas.!
Germans want you to follow their culture and speak in their language only but such type of thing now a days rare so everywhere you will not get such type of human. But yes as per my observation Germans are possessive for their culture and language and its a good thing,
I think you just met someone who's very impolite and unfriendly. No, I woudn't say this is something common where I live or where I've been. Sorry you experienced that!
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