So, Trump, the "laughingstock," is on his way here to Europe. Here's my take on what is going on:

[DFW]

68. I'm aware of the Parisians' rep, but don't full subscribe to it

I have seen/Heard some acquaintances there do an admirable job with English when they were confronted with someone who understood no French. I don't always know, of course, as my French is good enough that I never use English there. This sometimes leads to funny situations. I sometimes introduce friends from the States who are visiting, and automatically start translating when my French friend will suddenly say, "it's OK, we can speak English." I then say I never knew they spoke English, and they answer, "well you never asked!" It can be a compliment of sorts at times. In Frankfurt once, I was with a group of Germans and one of them made a remark about "Ausländer (foreigners)." I said, "hey, hold on there!" He said, "you don't count, you're one of us," which is something a German does not often say to an American. THAT'S when you know your knowledge of a foreign language has paid off.

But sometimes, even a few phrases are enough to win you friends. Two years ago, my wife and I were stuck in North America for two weeks during which we really didn't have anything planned. On a whim, we booked a cruise (first one we ever took). It was up the inside passage of Alaska. To get on the ship, you had to pass security, and I noticed that all the security people were Filipino. So, when I got to the checkpoint, I just said "magandang gabí (good evening)." Before their looks of shock wore off, I continued "angan Tagalog ko idi magalén (I speak terrible Tagalog)." BIG smiles, and I promise you that of all the faceless tourists they saw during that cruise, my wife and I ALWAYS got big smiles and were greeted by name. Show you care, even the slightest little bit, and often it breaks a lot of ice.