"One strategy I use for my relationships with foreigners is to gently pat them on their heads if they understand me. That way, there is positive reinforcement a

"One strategy I use for my relationships with foreigners is to gently pat them on their heads if they understand me. That way, there is positive reinforcement and they are encouraged to improve their understanding." - this may very well be one of the most condescending and disrespectful things I've read on hackernews ever. Also, my wife has a PhD in American History from Yale and teaches at SUNY, I don't suspect she misunderstood the question.