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> Being able to speak the language within your first year in a new country helps integration and lessens the us-vs-them feeling. Not sure what you're talking a
by fwdpropaganda 9y ago
> Being able to speak the language within your first year in a new country helps integration and lessens the us-vs-them feeling.
Not sure what you're talking about. I'm been to Italy and Germany many times and never felt unwelcome for not speaking their language.
- mfoy_ 9y agoVisiting, or living.... there's a different standard applied to guests than to neighbours.
- fwdpropaganda 9y agoIf you're an Italian guy and we meet on the street and I don't speak Italian, how would you know if I'm visiting or living? EDIT: Before you respond that "immigration policy etc etc", notice that the post I was responding to was talking about interations between individuals (using phrases like "ideally people wouldn't mind hearing a different language"), not policy.
- dazc 9y agoI've found in different countries within the EU that attitudes change dramatically to foreigners once you go beyond the centres of major cities or tourist areas. This is true even in Ireland where the only language barrier is an accent. Maybe this is what he means by the distinction of living/visiting?