@Momo ******

My uncle was stationed in Germany when he was with the British army. My aunt, a schoolteacher, spent the four years there, and following years back in the UK, learning German.

She called it “a challenge” which means she had a tremendous difficulty with it.

@Greg *****

my wife always said to me not to speak too much, it confuses them and a farang speaking only a little Thai is more “narak” than being conversant.. When I learn or figure something new in Thai I try it out on the bride, and if she doesn’t fall on the fall in gales of laughter I know it got it right..

@Marty ********

very true, mate..! My missus, from Khampaeng Phet, can only get bits of what she calls “north of Thai”, my BIL who has lived here in Chiang Mai longer, switches back and forth easily now between the two. Most Thais will know a bit of south of Thai, Issan and such but certainly aren’t conversant. There’s been more than a few times when the wife has said to me, I have no idea what she/he is saying...

Some guys assimilate languages better than others for a start, some can’t be arsed, some are arrogant. Thai being a non Latin based language, based on tonal inflections, can be surprisingly subtle to western ears. I certainly profess to less than stellar Thai skills, I can’t read it and my speaking ability should be better than it is, in saying that, I do okay.

In saying all that, I speak two other languages but they are Latin based. In Europe it’s normal for a person to speak a few languages, in America not so much

@Nick ***********

scarred the kid for life.. 555

I have my stock phrases I know will work, or in the words of our man, Clint Eastwood… “man’s gotta know his limitations” … and get the missus..

@Nick ***********

Yeah, nothing like denying your confidence after practicing some phrases, then trying them out on the missus only to have her collapse on the floor in fits of laughter...

@Diego ********

then there’s Australian... 555

Peacefully… ? Define peacefully..

Thanks, mate..!

Voice of reason, well done...