That happened to me in Mandarin once. I was getting my ebike fixed, some other customer started talking to me. I didn’t understand what he said, and he started saying it slower and louder. The other customers in the shop saw what was happening and were like, hey he doesn’t understand, buddy. I was sheepish, damn I live in the country, I should be able to speak the national language, right?

Oddly enough, I felt awesome after this encounter. Usually if they see your face they won’t even try, or will just treat you like they were talking to a cow or something. The fact that I got treated like a peasant from the countryside was an amazing achievement. I felt, just for a moment, like one of them.

Today, shit, most young people speak English. Anyone who serves tourist destinations certainly will. It kind of sucks, honestly.

speaking English louder will get them better service at a foreign tourist destination

Interesting advise, i’ll give it to some american going to saigon in 1968 on January 30th

one of my Spanish-only neighbors does this to me lol