Transportation: Today, I was at the airport trying to help a man get to the right...

By language barriers - 12/02/2009 07:07 - United States

Today, I was at the airport trying to help a man get to the right terminal. When he finished he turned to tell me "Don't worry, your English is pretty good, considering you're not American". English is my only language. FML

I agree, your life sucks 34 235

You deserved it 5 214

Christmas: Snowy Joys and Blunders
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Same thing different taste

What word was it?

By BigBall - 09/09/2023 20:00 - United States - Los Angeles

Today, a tourist from an English-as-second-language country taught me a new word. In English. FML

I agree, your life sucks 145

You deserved it 710

By ChickenBallsPlease - 28/01/2014 11:16 - United Kingdom - King's Lynn

Today, I was eating at a Chinese restaurant, when I stopped the waitress to tell her that even though I am of Chinese heritage, I can't understand a word of Chinese. After an awkward silence, she told me she was actually speaking English. FML

I agree, your life sucks 43 582

You deserved it 16 652

By Anon - 26/05/2009 17:45 - United Kingdom

Today, I was at a mall. A woman stopped by me, said slowly and loudly, in Spanish "baño?" Knowing a bit of Spanish, I nodded and pointed the restrooms out for her. She then mutters about "dang Mexicans and their inability to speak English". I'm not even Latina. I'm Irish-American. FML

I agree, your life sucks 70 096

You deserved it 4 177

By Anonymous - 25/11/2009 06:06 - United States

Today, while on a vacation, I tried to step out of myself and flirt with this boy who I thought was cute. He was going along with it and nodding so I thought it was working. Then he opened his mouth and I realized he didn't speak English. FML

I agree, your life sucks 29 213

You deserved it 6 663

Dang y'all

By Kayak - This FML is from back in 2013 but it's good stuff - United Kingdom

Today, I was verbally abused by a tourist because neither I nor anyone else in my country can speak "proper English". We're in England - clue's in the name, dipshit. FML

I agree, your life sucks 44 871

You deserved it 4 584

By Brit - 16/12/2011 08:50 - Reserved

Today, two American guys attacked me for not speaking their language. I'm from England, and they said I'm speaking my own language wrong. FML

I agree, your life sucks 42 343

You deserved it 6 864

Communication Breakdown

By rosie - 08/03/2021 13:59

Today, I was unable to communicate with a customer who only spoke French. As a result, my boss called me a "monolingual idiot." I speak Spanish, German, and Japanese. FML

I agree, your life sucks 1 128

You deserved it 73

No comprendo

By Anonymous - 26/02/2023 16:00

Today, I got lost in a foreign city while on vacation and couldn't communicate with anyone, because I didn't speak the language and no one seemed to be able, or even wanted, to speak to me in mine. FML

I agree, your life sucks 333

You deserved it 993

By Salaryman - 15/02/2009 06:21 - Philippines

Today, I was instructed by my boss to welcome the 2 new foreign business partners since I am the only one who could speak their language. When they arrived I greeted them in their language. One of them scratched his head and asked his companion in plain and clear English, "What did he say?" FML

I agree, your life sucks 38 735

You deserved it 4 991

By ForeverAlone - 09/05/2015 15:53 - Korea, Republic of - Seoul

Today, I emotionally confessed to the guy I like. His English isn't that good, so he asked me to repeat it several times. He ended up telling me no. FML

I agree, your life sucks 31 937

You deserved it 3 080

purplemagda 0

Saturday 7 March 2009 17:01

similar thing happened to me, I'm English and moved to America and was told that my English was amazing considering I'd just moved to America from England. Turns out the girl thought that the national language of Europe was French.

NerdChick 0

Sunday 14 June 2009 18:24

No, it could entirely be true. A tourist who asked me directions told me that I spoke very good English. Uhm, I was born in Canada, spoke English my entire life and have a degree in English literature?

Comments

csigabajnok 0

Thursday 12 February 2009 14:26

But are you American? :)

greenman_fml 0

Thursday 12 February 2009 15:46

God Bless America

DeesFMLs 0

Monday 16 July 2012 18:50

Most americans are idiots. Just saying...

folfg0 12

Sunday 5 August 2012 18:11

Thank you for Stereotyping Americans as idiots. Makes me feel sooo much better about the world and knowing there's good people like to in it.

d_dh2310 0

Wednesday 18 February 2009 10:09

what an asshole.

purplemagda 0

Saturday 7 March 2009 17:01

LadyMadness 11

Friday 14 May 2010 19:42

I know, exact same thing happened to me except the teacher didn't know that people in England spoke English some people are just naturally stupid I guess

aoife123 0

Tuesday 22 June 2010 1:24

I laughed at both of these stories! how dumb can some people get :P

terranada 3

Friday 24 June 2011 7:41

You should've told your teacher "...my country (England) INVENTED the English language!"

noodlesandsauce 0

Monday 20 April 2009 16:44

LOL @ 9 Most of the Americans I´ve met can´t speak properly.

AnnaSeptic 0

Tuesday 21 April 2009 5:03

@9, People should not be allowed to be that stupid. I hate when people say Americans can't speak properly. Like, what does that even mean? Is it our slang, our accents, incorrect grammar?? Haha I get so self-conscious when I talk to foreigners. I always feel like I'm annoying them.

writerajere 0

Thursday 21 May 2009 1:40

AMERICA, F*** YEAH!!!

averageirishman 0

Monday 17 May 2010 2:44

freedom is the only way!

stolencookie 17

Tuesday 27 December 2011 22:09

The correct grammar for this would be, "American ****, yeah?"

MetalCraze 11

Monday 1 June 2009 17:53

I don't believe this happened to you I think you just wanted to start america bashing

NerdChick 0

Sunday 14 June 2009 18:24

princesskitten 0

Thursday 25 June 2009 4:08

Are you not American? If you look foreign or have an accent he probably just stupidly assumed you hadn't lived in America long. Otherwise, your English must be pretty freaking bad.