Navy Net - Royal Navy Community
Register a free account today to join our community
Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site, connect with other members through your own private inbox and will receive smaller adverts!
Polish Speakers?
- Thread starterhigthepig
- Start date
slim
War Hero
Most Poles that I have worked with & met seem to be able to understand English though many are a little embarrassed when it comes to speaking the language. This is the same for any nationality. I learnt a little Chinese and Thai but used to get embarrassed when speaking, however I found that after a dozen or so beers I became fluid in the language.
I think that any opportunity to learn another language is good, it is usually appreciated by the foreigner you are attempting to converse with
I think that any opportunity to learn another language is good, it is usually appreciated by the foreigner you are attempting to converse with
sgtpepperband
War Hero
higthepig said:
I'm a cunning linguist and I like the taste of fish - can I get a job there?!
chockhead819
War Hero
Its Pinneys of Annan which is in scotland, so its sweatys trying to speak foreign!!
slim
War Hero
higthepig said:
Agreed Hig they should try to learn English. As should all the British ex-pats living in foreign climes. I worked long term in Thailand & China, tried to learn the languages with limited success, can't hold a conversation but am able to ask for food, beer and be polite. Many Brits living in Spain, Cyprus and Thailand etc make no attempt at all to learn the simplest words in the language of their new adopted country.
The British are the worst race in the world for learning foreign languages, probably because of our enormous empire that we had. This meant that most countries in the world learnt English.
FlagWagger
GCM
slim said:
And working .... a few years ago, I was lucky enough to visit Japan on business to undertake audit meetings. Before my first (of 3 visits) I attended a one-day crash course to Japanes business culture which included a very basic vocabulary including good morning, good bye, here's my business card, can I have a receipt please(!) etc. as well as a brief introduction to basic Japanes etiquette. One of my colleagues also scheduled to visit Japan cried off at the last minute as he was too busy to attend - during his week in the company, he managed to obtain little if any co-operation and returned to the UK with more unaswered problems than when he had set out; the department in which I worked, and which had arranged the training, managed to complete our work with a day to spare - on our last day, instead of working, opur hosts arranged for us to have a sightseeing trips around Tokyo.
Its not rocket science, just common courtesy - if I go to another country/culture I should be the one to put myself out, not my host.
rosinacarley
MIA
Whenever I visit a new country I always try to master just the bare minimum at least, usually hello, goodbye and thank you. Whenever I have travelled anywhere in Europe, Turkey and North Africa I am always met by people who are pleased that I have made that bit of effort.
Saying that however, the PO Stoker is convinced he can communicate in almost any language merely with signs. Not the rude ones you understand but the universal 2 beers please etc!
Saying that however, the PO Stoker is convinced he can communicate in almost any language merely with signs. Not the rude ones you understand but the universal 2 beers please etc!
FlagWagger
GCM
andym said:
Konbanwa spotter-san
slim
War Hero
Tried to impress my boss when he came to Thailand
Asked him what he wanted to drink, he replied orange juice.
In my best Thai I asked the waitress for Nom Sam
She looked at me blushed and just said Bill!
Sorry I replied I meant Nam Som
For information in Thia Nam is water & som is Orange ie orange juice.
By transposung the first letter of each word i had asked for
Nom which is breast & sam which is 3
Unabashed I said to her my mate knows what he wants.
Thought maore carefully after that
Asked him what he wanted to drink, he replied orange juice.
In my best Thai I asked the waitress for Nom Sam
She looked at me blushed and just said Bill!
Sorry I replied I meant Nam Som
For information in Thia Nam is water & som is Orange ie orange juice.
By transposung the first letter of each word i had asked for
Nom which is breast & sam which is 3
Unabashed I said to her my mate knows what he wants.
Thought maore carefully after that
Passed-over_Loggie
War Hero
I agree entirely with everything that's been said about learning the basics and social niceties when visiting foreign countries. I also agree that visitors intending to work here should attempt the same thing. That said, I would bet a £ to a pile of s**t that this has a health and safety angle. The employer's duty of care would require that the employees be made aware of unsafe practices, when encountered or generally briefed against them. If the employees can't or won't learn English, the employer would have just 2 choices: learn foreign or not employ "cheap" foreign labour.
sgtpepperband
War Hero
We the public are partly to blame for this prolieration of cheap foreign labour. Our demand fopr cheaper products, causing manufacturing cost down, and our reluctance to do menial, low-skill tasks.
The fact that companies are employing such people is a reflection of that. If they could employ a local national then I'm sure they would.
The fact that companies are employing such people is a reflection of that. If they could employ a local national then I'm sure they would.
SILVER_FOX
War Hero
Most Europeans have at least two languages which they speak very well or fluently. Sadly the UK is falling behind the curve when it comes to this and it will probably affect our ability to compete on an individual and company level in years to come.
SF
SF
