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I haven't found the same to be the case. Being able to speak the local language and to be able to portray yourself as "local boy made good" seems to bring out

• csmajorfive 10y ago
  Yeah, I think it can go either way. I've had a few situations in Russia where speaking the language evoked "You idiot. You should know better and let me set you straight." while speaking English evoked "Stupid American. Here's how we fix it."
  • mildbow 10y ago
    Exactly. Both your responses have the person taking on the role of a --short term-- mentee: they show some sort of of connection + naïveté that prompts the authority figure into rooting for them ie caring enough to indicate next steps. '
  • drpp 10y ago
    Yes, on this trip I had many Police encounters. Most of the time, the best course of action was to feign ignorance and speak very loudly and excitedly in English, "Good Morning Officer!" and just keep repeating that and smiling. Then they would give up on you and move on to easier targets. I tried that at first here, but then changed tactics.
• rangibaby 10y ago
  Japanese police and other bureaucrats are definitely more obstructive to foreigners who don't speak a high level of Japanese.