[dash2]

>The average EU citizen can barely communicate with their neighbor in a common language beyond the level of a toddler (english fluency is massively overstated by Americans who only experience tourist capitals).

Not true in my experience: even German waiters in small towns tend to have pretty fluent English.

[CalRobert]

It varies a lot. Germany is pretty strong in English, and the Netherlands next door is exceptional, but as you go south to Italy, etc English proficiency weakens.

Edit: more broadly, there’s just more friction when people aren’t in their first language. I know I hesitate to bring up some things, say hi to strangers, try making a joke, etc because the cost of talking is just… higher.

[pembrook]

Was just driving around medium and small-ish towns in Bavaria. This was not my experience at all.

The German speaking members of our group had to order food for us in most restaurants.

And most locals aren’t waiters in restaurants.