Living in a country where you don't understand people is great.

My Vietnamese got pretty good again recently by itself and I don't like it. I don't want it to get better because my girlfriend, students, colleagues and friends speak English and I speak enough Vietnamese to do everything I need to do.

Just like a few years ago, I'm going to actively make sure my Vietnamese doesn't get better. I love my quiet coffees with only background noise. I don't want to understand or be distracted by anyone I'm not with. I like sitting in a crowded restaurant where it feels quiet.

It's worth trying. Anyone else feel the same?

stoplooklisten

Same here, I'm actively trying not to improve my Vietnamese. I avoid Vietnamese movies, books and theater and Vietnam in general. It's working out pretty well so far.

IvyTheTerrible

God no, I'm getting so much more from the culture here now that I'm completely fluent.

Personally, I would find it very isolating (in a bad way) to live in a country where I don't understand anyone, and they don't understand me.

Dr Crayfish

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

God no, I'm getting so much more from the culture here now that I'm completely fluent.

Personally, I would find it very isolating (in a bad way) to live in a country where I don't understand anyone, and they don't understand me.

Thinly veiled something or other

Baron Kurtz

Didi Mao!!

IvyTheTerrible

IvyTheTerrible wrote: »

God no, I'm getting so much more from the culture here now that I'm completely fluent.

Personally, I would find it very isolating (in a bad way) to live in a country where I don't understand anyone, and they don't understand me.

They understand me fine.. I can speak enough to have a conversation. It's the natural quick and noisy conversation around me that I'm happy to be without.

And as I say, literally everyone I know speaks English. A lot of my friends are English speaking Vietnamese people.

StupidLikeAFox

Yes, I once stopped off in Cavan for some coffee. Hadn't a clue what they were on about, it was nice and relaxing

IvyTheTerrible

Deleted User wrote: »

They understand me fine.. I can speak enough to have a conversation. It's the natural quick and noisy conversation around me that I'm happy to be without.

And as I say, literally everyone I know speaks English.

Can't you tune it out though?

stoplooklisten

Nó đã xảy ra một lần nữa tôi không thể giúp được gì


****..It just keeps leaking out of my brain

DEFTLEFTHAND

You should insist that they speak Vietnamese to you.

dinorebel

Change Country to County and this thread would apply to Cork.

JackHeuston

Welcome to traveling.

But then I think how different it is for people who natively speak English and people who speak other languages, maybe a language spoken only in one country in the world. I guess the first group will always find their language chasing them even when they travel abroad.

Dr Crayfish

JackHeuston wrote: »

Welcome to traveling.

He says he's living there. Unless he's constantly in some state of motion during his time in Vietnam.

The Backwards Man

I hear that if you don't know a Vietnamese man's name just call him Charlie, they love that.

razorblunt

Baron Kurtz wrote: »

Didi Mao!!

5 posts in, 3 posts too late.

I was in Vietnam once, they served me an exceptional thin stew made of fish, vegetables, prawns, coconut milk, and four kinds of rice. I came close to madness trying to find it here in the UK, but they just can't get the spices right!

ohnonotgmail

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

He says he's living there. Unless he's constantly in some state of motion during his time in Vietnam.

aren't we all in a constant state of motion on an atomic level?

Sugar Free

JackHeuston wrote: »

Welcome to traveling.

Edit: mentioned already but I'll leave it in anyway...

Pretty sure the OP lives in Vietnam and is not just travelling through it for a while.

Magico Gonzalez

If you don't become fairly fluent you are experiencing a very limited version of your host country. Maybe that's the version you want to experience, but that is the best version of the country for your circumstance. Never been to Vietnam so I don't know.

I know I had to learn the language where I am, I had to become fluent. I could work and exist in English but the ignorance would kill me. Maybe it's different, I'm a permanent resident so maybe I feel more bought into to the whole local culture, I vote in city elections, read papers, watch local tv, follow local sports etc so being fluent was essential.

Baron Kurtz

razorblunt wrote: »

5 posts in, 3 posts too late.

I was in Vietnam once, they served me an exceptional thin stew made of fish, vegetables, prawns, coconut milk, and four kinds of rice. I came close to madness trying to find it here in the UK, but they just can't get the spices right!

Heh, yes folks were very quick off the mark today. It'll garner a diluted reception now

Magico Gonzalez

Magico Gonzalez wrote: »

If you don't become fairly fluent you are experiencing a very limited version of your host country. Maybe that's the version you want to experience, but that is the best version of the country for your circumstance. Never been to Vietnam so I don't know.

I know I had to learn the language where I am, I had to become fluent. I could work and exist in English but the ignorance would kill me. Maybe it's different, I'm a permanent resident so maybe I feel more bought into to the whole local culture, I vote in city elections, read papers, watch local tv, follow local sports etc so being fluent was essential.

For a language like Spanish, that makes sense because everything is done in that language. But I live in a city full of English speaking expats and locals who speak and want to speak English. Literally everyone around me is an English speaker.

The fact you're permanent plays a part I'm sure and that's impossible for me for legal reasons.

The only part of my life that suffers is my relationship with my girlfriend's parents but even then, her sister and cousins speak English. I'm not gonna become fluent in a ridiculously difficult language for two people.

Anyways, different places mean different requirements. English and some Vietnamese gets me through almost everything. Friends who've lived here have told me how incredibly difficult south American countries are because it's only Spanish.

Doesn't take away from my point though. Ignorance and silence are bliss.

murpho999

Lived in Netherlands for 7 years, started learning language from early on. Fluent within a couple of years.

Definitely helps with settling in and getting to know the people.
Soon discovered at gatherings that the Dutch just talk about prices and holiday experiences or plans nearly all the time.

Made my decision to leave easier and myself and Dutchy wife live happily in Ireland and I can converse with Dutch family and friends in Dutch when they visit.

Dr Crayfish

murpho999 wrote: »

Lived in Netherlands for 7 years, started learning language from early on. Fluent within a couple of years.

Definitely helps with settling in and getting to know the people.
Soon discovered at gatherings that the Dutch just talk about prices and holiday experiences or plans nearly all the time.

Made my decision to leave easier and myself and Dutchy wife live happily in Ireland and I can converse with Dutch family and friends and Dutch when they visit.

The Belgians slag them over being tight b*stards. Is there any truth to the stereotype? I know there is to the Scottish one having lived there for a while!

murpho999

Deleted User wrote: »

For a language like Spanish, that makes sense because everything is done in that language. But I live in a city full of English speaking expats and locals who speak and want to speak English. Literally everyone around me is an English speaker.

The fact you're permanent plays a part I'm sure and that's impossible for me for legal reasons.

The only part of my life that suffers is my relationship with my girlfriend's parents but even then, her sister and cousins speak English. I'm not gonna become fluent in a ridiculously difficult language for two people.

Anyways, different places mean different requirements. English and some Vietnamese gets me through almost everything. Friends who've lived here have told me how incredibly difficult south American countries are because it's only Spanish.

Doesn't take away from my point though. Ignorance and silence are bliss.

Really find this a bad attitude. I don’t believe that all Vietnamese speak the level of English that you claim and in group situations they will revert to their native tongue.

Imagine how your relationship with your family would improve if you made an effort to learn their language. Also people would respect you more for it and it shows respect to their values and cultures.

You say “It’s just for two people” but I believe if you learnt more of the language that you would get more out of it.

the evasion_kid

razorblunt wrote: »

5 posts in, 3 posts too late.

I was in Vietnam once, they served me an exceptional thin stew made of fish, vegetables, prawns, coconut milk, and four kinds of rice. I came close to madness trying to find it here in the UK, but they just can't get the spices right!

Did you try Phở?

I'm planning a trip back to Vietnam soon,don't plan on learning the language though it's very tonal..

murpho999

murpho999 wrote: »

Really find this a bad attitude. I don’t believe that all Vietnamese speak the level of English that you claim and in group situations they will revert to their native tongue.

Imagine how your relationship with your family would improve if you made an effort to learn their language. Also people would respect you more for it and it shows respect to their values and cultures.

You say “It’s just for two people” but I believe if you learnt more of the language that you would get more out of it.

I think you're vastly overestimating how many new people a regular person talks to or wants to talk to. I'm not here to "be friends with the locals" or discover the culture. I live here and I'm a normal person.

Why are the hundreds of thousands of English speakers in this city not enough for me to live my life with? Or should I have an "authentic experience" for no real reason and be a pain in the hole when their frends get bored of all the focus of conversation being on the foreigner.. Because that's what happens.

And anyways, how much conversation do you have with the guy who washes your car, or your building's security guard, or the guy who serves a beer, or your hairdresser, or a waitress, or a taxi driver? Do you need to be fluent for that? I get by fine.


Who's the last friend you made? I'm serious.

the evasion_kid

the evasion_kid wrote: »

Did you try Phở?

I'm planning a trip back to Vietnam soon,don't plan on learning the language though it's very tonal..

Yep.. I knew how to say "you have big eyes" but instead I said "you have a cnt face".. Seriously, both are "mat lon" and even after five years, I can't get it right.

It's a classic thing with foreigners. "a little bit of Vietnamese is more dangerous than none".

I lived in duong buoi.. Mispronounced that means "cock street" and I was saying it wrong when ordering food for about two years.

the evasion_kid

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Yep.. I knew how to say "you have big eyes" but instead I said "you have cnt face".. Seriously, bother are "mat lon" and even after five years, I can't get it right.

It's a classic thing with foreigners. "a little bit of Vietnamese is more dangerous thag none".

I lived in duong buoi.. Mispronounced that means "cock street" and I was saying it wrong when ordering food for about two years.

I'll just learn the basics,seems to be a lot foreigners residing there now as digital nomads

gramar

If you make an effort to speak the local language they will love you long time.

the evasion_kid

gramar wrote: »

If you make an effort to speak the local language they will love you long time.

There is that incentive too...vietnamese women are stunning

Dr Crayfish

the evasion_kid wrote: »

There is that incentive too...vietnamese women are stunning

Asian girls don't float my boat. Vietnamese food though is amazing, a few decent places in Dublin to eat Pho etc these days.

dd972

Deleted User wrote: »

My Vietnamese got pretty good again recently by itself and I don't like it. I don't want it to get better because my girlfriend, students, colleagues and friends speak English and I speak enough Vietnamese to do everything I need to do.

Just like a few years ago, I'm going to actively make sure my Vietnamese doesn't get better. I love my quiet coffees with only background noise. I don't want to understand or be distracted by anyone I'm not with. I like sitting in a crowded restaurant where it feels quiet.

It's worth trying. Anyone else feel the same?

Bit far to go when you could have gone to the Gaelteacht...:p

murpho999

Dr Crayfish wrote: »

The Belgians slag them over being tight b*stards. Is there any truth to the stereotype? I know there is to the Scottish one having lived there for a while!

Yes, incredibly tight. Lots of examples such as:

1) Thousands of Dutch go on caravan holidays to France every year with caravan packed full of their own food so they don't buy any when away.

2) My wife's Uncle told me how had two watches and when not using on he'd pull the winder out to save the battery. (Even the Dutch were shocked at that).

3) My wife's Grandfather died a few years back and a week after his funeral his wife brought new slippers she had bought for him the week before for a refund.

Could go on and on, sharing a restaurant bill with them can be paiinful too as forensic analysis is carried out as to who should pay for what. Also, they don't get the round system.

murpho999

Deleted User wrote: »

I think you're vastly overestimating how many new people a regular person talks to or wants to talk to. I'm not here to "be friends with the locals" or discover the culture. I live here and I'm a normal person.

Why are the hundreds of thousands of English speakers in this city not enough for me to live my life with? Or should I have an "authentic experience" for no real reason and be a pain in the hole when their frends get bored of all the focus of conversation being on the foreigner.. Because that's what happens.

And anyways, how much conversation do you have with the guy who washes your car, or your building's security guard, or the guy who serves a beer, or your hairdresser, or a waitress, or a taxi driver? Do you need to be fluent for that? I get by fine.


Who's the last friend you made? I'm serious.

How can you say all this if you haven't learned the language fully?

As for the friend question I don't see the relevance, but friends come and go throughout life all the time.

Shint0

Deleted User wrote: »

The only part of my life that suffers is my relationship with my girlfriend's parents but even then, her sister and cousins speak English. I'm not gonna become fluent in a ridiculously difficult language for two people.

OP my mother-in-law speaks no English and I speak little of her language. When it comes to mother-in-laws that's actually a help not a hindrance but my sign language improves dramatically whenever I meet her

milehip

[Deleted User] wrote: »

And anyways, how much conversation do you have with the guy who washes your car, or your building's security guard, or the guy who serves a beer, or your hairdresser, or a waitress, or a taxi driver? Do you need to be fluent for that? I get by fine.


Who's the last friend you made? I'm serious.

exactly and you can add the stable boy,the skullery maid and the tailor to that list,I have nothing in common with those commoners