Maybe because....

We lost cantanky to the Brits.

I live in north east italy, quite near venice.
lake como is beautiful and relaxing, a bit of "new rich" people similar to yuppies from the 80s going round, but it's a great place.

I don't mean for being monolingual, I mean for not speaking their language. A lot of people in some European countries are more stubborn about using English and just won't talk to you, even if they know it.

That's such a lie. Even Americans know the UK was the first state.

what pretentious fucks

a couple of my friends went last week, i was supposed to go with them but i'm broke, they said it's really pretty but not that much to do.

ha ha ha fucking brilliant

switzerland is that way. beautiful country, but boring.

true about the english thing, some people don't/won't speak english (especially 40+ yo people), spanish is easier to get a grip of I guess...

ha ha watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rL85oRst54

if you make an attempt to speak to people in their own language, even if you can only speak a few words, they will appreciate it and often respond in english

this is true.
but if i'm in a country where i can actually speak their language i won't bother speaking english, which is why the french don't hate me.

Of course. I went to Korea for a week and I was amazed at how many people tried to speak English to me, despite their embarrassment. It's the least you can do to meet them halfway.

of course... i guess acousticrock should have clarified

that was quite a menage-a-trois of a reply right there

yeah, like a sort of "you come here visiting my country, you should learn a bit our language, it's not up to us to help you out if you can't help yourself" mentality. but as I said, younger people=less "barriers".

even if you go to france and say "je ne parle pas francais, parlez-vous anglais?" they'll hate you less

yes and many Americans can understand this because of the fucking asians/mexicans who invade our land, and build their little colonies and live here and still dont speak a fucking word of engrish

if you want to live and work in the US you had better know how to speak english or else get the fuck out of my country.

i can pass in french... and im going to montreal on saturday... but damn those quebecoix sure can be pretentious dickweeds