Would it bother you

Not at all I agree with Alegria. If I lived abroad I'm sure I would still speak English to English speaking friends, even with natives present!

DiscoDancer1975

*Pantglas2*, I wouldn’t expect anyone to speak English in their own country. It’s lovely of them if they do, but up to us to learn theirs.

Except for the fact that English is the universal language. They would only need to learn one language, whereas us in the UK would need French, Italian, Spanish, German ....
?

Very rude. We had this treatment in Wales, walked into a shop, staff and existing customers speaking English, as soon as we spoke they all started speaking Welsh, and laughed as we left the shop. For the last time as we never went back.

Just about to post the same, GillT57; used to happen regularly in Wales, and done quite deliberately.

You’re right, it’s happened to me (and I speak Welsh ?) and it’s also happened in every country I’ve been in all over the world - human nature eh?

The other thing is the ‘Sotto voce’ out of the corner of the mouth in England when DH and I have walked into a shop speaking Welsh to each other. The surprise on the assistant’s face when I thank them profusely ?

Now, like ninathenana I'm expecting some disapproval for this, but here goes anyway....

I do think its a bit of paranoia that some of you think they are talking about you because they are speaking their own language. Maybe there are some examples of it but most people are just getting on with their own lives and don't even think about what language they are speaking, or who is in their shop....

And don't underestimate the effort it takes to have full conversations in one's second language, after a while it gets too hard and reverting to your first language is really a relief. I speak from experience!

Wellbeck I overlooked that. Yes, makes a difference Otherwise I would. It's one of my pet hates. Just such bad manners.

Except for the fact that English is the universal language.

What arrogance.

I think it is rude to converse in another language when in the presence of people who don't understand it - particularly in a work setting. It could make some people feel uncomfortable and excluded.

I think it's perfectly fine otherwise - I don't subscribe to Nigel Farage's distaste for people on buses speaking to each other in the language they are most familiar with.

I've worked with two women, and one explained that her co-worker found it easier to understand instructions in their own language.
Not a problem at all.

I agree with Alegrias and Illte. Living abroad, I am often in a shop or restaurant speaking English with my family and friends. No way am I going to switch to German just so everyone can eavesdrop.

This is a typical attitude of monolingual people.

I was once on a bus trip in France with a group of German people, visiting our twin town in France. I was talking to one lady who was complaining about people doing just that:speaking Turkish (or whatever their mutual language was) in a shop in Germany. As we were already in France by then, I pointed out to her that, in that case, we should be speaking French to each other.

It is different if you are in a shop or on a bus, train, etc., where you have no ongoing relationship with the employees or other shoppers/service users. But if you are at work you have colleagues with whom you interact on a daily basis, and I think it is insensitive, if not rude, to speak with one or more other people in a language that you know other colleagues don't understand.