I’m about to sound like the ignorant American I am, so I apologize in advance! We’re looking at a trip to Germany, and possibly Prague, and we’ve noticed that a lot of the hotel names are French and a couple hotels that aren’t named in French have replied to comments with things like “Bonjour! etc etc” What’s up with this? Is French just the most commonly spoken common language, even in Germany and Czechia? (I know that Germany and Czechia have their own languages, of course.) Or is it something else?
You’re American. Marketing data says that you like all things French and Italian.
Guess what happens next in this salesforce driven industry?
:)
East of Munich you’re best bet is German, but English is also spoken widely. West of Munich you’re more or less fine with English. In the northern countries we are used to the fact no one speaks our language so we all speak English, a lot of people French and a lot of German because it’s close to our own.
Italians try English. As do most Spanish. Try is the magic word here, it’s like your Spanish after high school or my French. :)
French don’t try. They speak French. Period. In hotels etc. (tourist spots) English is spoken by few employees. But they are there. :)
In the balkans the situation is mixed. Some parts English, some German, some French, some Russian. I get by with an English/German mix in Croatia. my German is better then my French… But not a lot). Here in the Netherlands my level of German is widely called “steenkolen Duits” (coal German) because it’s course, harsh, hard and dirty)
Anyway you’ll be fine. Have a great vacation.
Yep, we try English. We are not very good at it (thanks Mussolini) and the situation is not gonna improve. But you’ll survive, even here. Last time I was in a hotel here a foreigner was communicating with the receptionist via Google Translate ;p
Mussolini came to power a hundred years ago. That’s one century. It takes a couple of years to learn English to a passable degree. How can Mussolini possibly be blamed for how badly Italians speak English today?
Is French just the most commonly spoken common language, even in Germany and Czechia?
No. This title is likely taken by Turkish.
Or is it something else?
Many phrases from European languages are common knowledge across Europe. I’m about to go grab some coffee. When I walk in to the coffee shop, I’m free to say “Hello” in one of 10+ languages and no one will think anything of it. Why would I do that? Maybe because I’m in the mood. Ciao!
When I walk in to the coffee shop, I’m free to say “Hello” in one of 10+ languages and no one will think anything of it. Why would I do that? Maybe because I’m in the mood. Ciao
X for doubt. Highly depends on where the shop is based. I would defo get weird looks if I would say Ciao at shops for ‘Hello’. But most people will still know what it means. And ‘Ciao’ for goodbye is actually quite popular in the German speaking countries. But yeah it’s not as random as you make it out to be imo.
Highly depends on where the shop is based.
True. I have mostly lived in touristy and immigrant-friendly places, and I’m OK with people not seeing me as a local.
So it’s more like you don’t care what people think, but people will still be like ‘wtf’ haha
Probably not in Berlin though, because nothing matters in Berlin.
people will still be like ‘wtf’ haha
People here (North Holland) are used to tourists and immigrants. A local could use “Hi”, “Hallo”, “Bonjour” or “Shalom” instead of Dutch-specific “Goeiemorgen”/other. If I say “Moin” or “Ciao” or “Hola”, people will understand and sometimes reply appropriately, but likely continue in English not Dutch. It’s something anyone would do for fun.
“hyvää huomenta” and “terve” on the other hand are not widely known to be a greeting. “tesekkuler” will not work as “merci”. I don’t do that.
Thanks for the local input, didn’t know that
Maybe the owner is a french company?
I’m Geman and travel a lot. No Bonjours for me ever 😉.
