Why Is It That We Have To Speak English?

An officer in the U.S. Naval Reserve was attending a conference that included admirals from both the U.S. Navy and the French Navy. At a cocktail reception, he found himself in a small group that included officers from both countries.

A French admiral complained that whereas Europeans learned many languages, Americans learned only English, and he asked, "Why is it that we have to speak English in these naval conferences rather than you having to speak French?"

Without hesitating, an American admiral replied: "Maybe because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies, and Americans all arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German."

The group became silent.