WHY IS IT THAT WE HAVE TO SPEAK ENGLISH?
An officer in the U.S. Naval reserve was
attending a conference that included admirals from both
the U.S. Navy and the French Navy. At a cocktail reception,
he found himself in a small group that included personnel
from both navies.
The French admiral started complaining that
whereas Europeans learned many languages, Americans
learned only English. He then asked: "Why is it that we have to
speak English in these conferences rather than you speak French?
Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied:
"Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans
arranged it so you would not have to speak German."
The group became silent.
An officer in the U.S. Naval reserve was
attending a conference that included admirals from both
the U.S. Navy and the French Navy. At a cocktail reception,
he found himself in a small group that included personnel
from both navies.
The French admiral started complaining that
whereas Europeans learned many languages, Americans
learned only English. He then asked: "Why is it that we have to
speak English in these conferences rather than you speak French?
Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied:
"Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans
arranged it so you would not have to speak German."
The group became silent.
