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.
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.
JackHeuston wrote: » Welcome to traveling.
Baron Kurtz wrote: » Didi Mao!!
Dr Crayfish wrote: » He says he's living there. Unless he's constantly in some state of motion during his time in Vietnam.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..
[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.
gramar wrote: » If you make an effort to speak the local language they will love you long time.
the evasion_kid wrote: » There is that incentive too...vietnamese women are stunning
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?
![Photo of [Deleted User]](https://wb.vanillicon.com/v2/bed6f1d088326d5eb21c0139847332c7.svg)
