[Leica] International awareness.....Photokina

[Bill Erfurth <m6rf@yahoo.com>]

From: "GBICKET" <GBICKET@email.msn.com>

>  One of the many useful elements of the
>LUG's value is the experience and perspective of Leica >Users who
don't use English as a first language.  The >sooner we Americans
recognize English as merely
>convenient in such applications, and that no >international forum has
a "mother tongue", the better >off LUG will be.

>After all, the camera of our affections is [mostly] >made in Germany.
Just because foreign education >systems outshine [in many dimensions]
those in the >United States is no reason for we Americans to expect
>our questions to Leica, AG, in Germany to be received >and answered
in English.  Yet they are, and many >Americans do ourselves and others
a disservice when we >expect it, rather than stop, be surprised,
admire it, >and woo-o-ow, express respect and thanks for the
>--very--real--courtesy--extended--.  We Americans have >no preemptive
language rights to an international >forum like the LUG. General
foreign language fluency >levels of  Americans leave many of us no
choice but to >participate in an English language forum.

- - - - snip - - -

For all of the US LUG members who are going to Photokina.  Do yourself
a favor and take the time to learn a little German before you go. 
This will greatly enhance your trip and gain you much greater respect
in the eyes of the German speaking people with whom you come in contact.

You will most likely be able to get along very well in Cologne with
English only.  But, trust me on this, the "Ugly American" is alive and
well in Europe...especially in the larger cities.  You will be treated
differently if you take the time to learn a few words and expressions
in German.  After all, it is rude to expect people in another country
to communicate in your language.

So how can you do this in the few short weeks before Photokina?  Go to
any large book store that sell foreign language tapes.  If there is no
large book store in you area call "The tattered Cover" (in Denver) or
"Powell's Book Store" (in Portland), both of which have 800 numbers. 
Or go to Amazon.com.  Look for a German language tape called "German,
Fast and Easy"  

This is a single tape that costs about $10 or $15.  It is very easy to
use.  You can master it in a week.  And it will teach you most of the
words and phrases you need to know to get by on a day to day basis.

Regards,
Bill Erfurth
 
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