By traveling - 09/07/2013 11:18

Today, I arrived in Germany for a summer-long stay. The family I'm supposed to stay with had said they spoke fluent English. They don't. I don't speak German. It's going to be a quiet two months. FML
I agree, your life sucks 47 980
You deserved it 6 415
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Top comments

BingleBop 18

Well at least you should be pretty good at German by the end if your stay. You always learn faster when you're forced to!

279 5
CammyGal 26

Why would you choose to go to Germany if you didn't know the language? You couldn't have expected the family to do everything for you. If you were forced to go, you still should have known beforehand and made an effort to learn.

145 32

Comments

TwinkleToes7 15

Well if you visit a country shouldn't you know something in their language???

1 4
loganberrybat 11

You're going to Germany for two months and didn't bother to learn ANY German... Well done, surely you should think "even of the family speak English the rest of Germany might not!! Deserved!!

8 3
monnanon 13

you're right you can muddle your way through a lot but there are some glaring differences that will trip a person up if they do not speak the language at all. German is alao a language with male and female versions of words and inflection plays a large part in meaning. it is harder than it seems to learn.

2 2
Futacy 29

Don't worry, I think you'll pick up enough of the language to get around by the time you leave, just like you picked up your first language.

1 2
olpally 32

Should've learned the language anyways... That was pretty ignorant... I know you were told they'd speak English, but at least take some lessons and learn it so you can speak it to them.

9 4
Steffi 26

Do you spend money and time on language lessons, every-time you go to a foreign speaking country?

4 9
kt520 7

If I'm going to a different country that speaks a different language, of course I would spend some time learning the language. At the very least, learn a few key phrases to help you out "where is the bathroom?" "How much?" Etc.

8 2
monnanon 13

@66 you should always go to a country knowing at least please and thank you and the good day greetings. Always take a phrasebook too and at least make an effort to use the native language.

4 3
smokecloud_ 37

66 this is why everyone hates americans. we get all pissed off when foreigners come to our country and dont speak english but its ok to visit another country and not know shit? i think not. op totally deserved it.

4 3
olpally 32

#66 I've never been to a foreign country, but I know i would sure as hell make an effort to learn the language if I was going outside the USA. I'd like to learn something new than be stupid and ignorant. That's for damn sure.

2 1
Futacy 29

66- No, you should spend ten minutes a day with a phrasebook or a lesson on youtube so that you will know enough to have a small conversation. And whether or not you are planning a trip to a foreign country, you should still try and learn a useful foreign language anyway. It helps with your cognitive skills, your multitasking skills, your mathematical skills, and your English grammar.

1 1
Steffi 26

WOW, the ignorance in your comments is astounding. I know you'll most likely fail to see what I'm talking about, but that's expected of people like you.

1 4
monnanon 13

oh do please enlighten us to a wisdom we cannot possibly grasp. don't get pissy because no one agreed with you.

2 1
Slavgaard 16

Best way to learn..total emersion..GL

1 4
sky_surfer79 6

Absolutely perfect set up. Learn quickly to survive.

0 1
KiddoKS 19

sprechen in Deutsch OP

1 5
CreepInTheCorner 11

Ja es ist...

0 1
perdix 29

Dummkopf!!! Why would you go to Germany if you didn't speak German? I notice the OP's location wasn't listed, but I'm guessing it's not Australia, Canada or Britain or any of the other English-speaking countries that prefer soccer over obesity.

4 3
Raivyn_Grimm 9

Honestly, if they just use hand gestures and slowly pronounced nouns, like "coffee", "pizza", "tea", "milk", and the like, yuo should be fine. A lot of german nouns sound almost exactly like english. Since, you know, english is a germanic language. Other good words to know; "Zimmer" = room, "Badezimmer" = bathroom, "Toilette" = (what else?) toilet, and "Zucker" = sugar.

4 0
punkyboy 11

maybe you went to the wrong house and you are with a very confused german family that doesn't understand what your saying

8 0