English everywhere
Even in the pandemic, Berlin is becoming more international. Everyone wants to speak English. But our columnist still wants to order his coffee in German.
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Photo: imagoWe prefer EC cards.
Berlin - Did the barista think I was an idiot? Or even worse, a tourist? Although I ordered my coffee in German, the German replied: “Oat or cow milk?” “
Kuh,” I said. “No problem.” It went on like that. He spoke English, I spoke German. In between, the Millennial barista with the moustache and white socks chatted away in German with his colleague. Like Jens Spahn, who grumbled a few years ago that people working in cafes in Mitte only speak English, I was annoyed. But for a different reason: English is my mother tongue. The barista probably noticed that I had spoken English with my son before so I was irked because he probably thought he was doing me a favour. In my opinion, the baristas in this city should first assume that internationals can and want to speak German. A little respect, please.