Parlez-Vous Anglais?

This is my first time in Europe, and second time in a non-English speaking place.  Luckily, I know a good bit of French, but I am far from fluent.  It is amazing how much of a language you forget when it really matters, like at a cafe or some such place!

At first, I was slightly disappointed (maybe even a tad annoyed) when the answer to "Parlez-Vous Anglais?" was "Non."  I know that it is required for French students to learn English from an early age in school, so therefore they should know at least basic English, right?  It just makes sense, right? 

Well, after a few days my rusty French is getting better, and I really got to thinking.  Imagine if the roles were reversed.  I live in Indianapolis.  This is a land-locked city in the midwest, far from any other languages.  However, we host a HUGE international event, the Indy 500.  This brings many languages to Indy during the month of May, and they nearly never ask us "Parelez-vous Francais?" or Italian, or whatever else, before ordering food.  Why should we?  We expect them to speak English when in the US, so we should be expected to speak French in France.  Or German in Germany, or whatever else.

It doesn't matter what the people of Strasbourg are capable of speaking, it is more respectful for us to honor their tradition by speaking their language.  We shouldn't expect them to cater to our traditions when we are in their country.

- Zak