Can you speak English in Russia? It's 50-50%. As You'll see in this experiment a lot of Russians actually speak pretty good English Support me on Patreon - / russianplus
If you ask directly the question without the "do you speak inglish" part, you will get more responces. People are getting nervous because they think that you are goingo to ask them something very complicated.
@@gauravthorat6497 Yeah maybe, but clearly there's a big portion of the Earth's population that does NOT speak English, so it would be fun to try nonetheless
If you need help in russian streets, do NOT ask "do you speek english" first, only ask your quetions stright. Why? Because russian is very honest people, if we say "yes", it means really high level of english, we do not want to be a liar. But more than half of populations have learn english at school and can understand easy quetions very well. It's a very big secret of russian soul to be honest if it possible. if it do not have a threat, russians do not want to fool people
A person who speaks many languages - polyglot/ Multilingual. Three languages - Trilingual . Two languages - Bilingual. One language - American / British.😂🤣🤗
Deria Deria brits have their own languages* there are many different languages in the British Isles and saying Americans have no language is like saying Austrians are copying Germans by speaking German
Yes, if he asked for a help( not to ask “do you speak English”) he would receive mach more responses. We are friendly indeed, but have few practices in speaking English, so we are glad to help but a lot of us can’t get a small talk or smt similar.
@Fatih Bora I went to turkey last summer and I asked where is the mosque but most of them do not speak english it took 10 minutes to find someone Who helps me
You'd better ask people something like "could you help me?" or directly start with your question. Asking if they speak english makes them think you're going to interview them or have some conversation. The most of the people don't speak english that good, and even if they do - it's just easier to say "no" instead of explaining that they don't want to be interviewed etc.
You made a very interesting point,amigo. Anywhere in the world (not only in Russia) one shouldn't ask such a silly question. Most people in non english speaking countries understand that question clearly,the big deal is that not everybody has a decent level of the language and that's why they answer "no". I'm sure a russian person will never ask that question ,in russian, to anybody in New York City. Greetings from Toronto.
I don't know of a single place in Russia where Portuguese is taught. There should be such places, but I have no idea where they are. That is, in 99.99% you will not hear the answer in Portuguese.
It's nice to see that Russian people are friendly and try to help someone speaking English. Nothing like our media makes it seem. Much respect to my Russian brothers and sisters. Respect from USA
Russians are very friendly and always welcome to talk. Its just we don't take bullshit hahha)))) so we might seem like cold, but actually very kind hearted
Next time you should start to talk with Russian with phrase “ How do i get to” or “Where is here subway?” or something else. Almost all Russian people know this phrases and will be glad to help you.
In Moscow and Saint-Petersburg almost all people know english, u should have asked “sorry, how can i find metro” or “can u help me?”) This question “do u speak English?” make us lil bit confused) Hello from Saint-P))
You don't need to tell that you are Russian, when you are putting brackets at the end of the sentence without any colons. Russians are literally the only nation where a bracket is an emoji in of itself, except for other Russian speaking countries, and I think it is pretty obvious for foreigners))
Александр Иванов Да, чтобы ты понимал в остальных регионах кроме этих английского в целом нет, курсов тоже нет. Вообще английский как бы есть, но сам урок никто не ведёт и сам учитель его не знает.
“Do you speak English?” “My apologies good sir, I’m somewhat out of practice in that tongue and I’d rather not lose face. Could I help you obtain a Berlitz phrasebook?”
actually most of Russians know basic English so if he ask directly for metro or station they will show him easily but when he say do you speak English people will think that guy looking for high level of English so they will reject to talk to him
If foreigners don't even bother learning a couple phrases in the language of the country they come to, why would citizens of the country have to learn English? When speaking English has become an obligation?
Yea I'm a fan of a Russian fetish and cosplay model and I am amazed at how well she speaks and especially writes in English. I mean, her spelling isn't perfect but she's Russian writing in a completely different alphabet than her native, so she's far better than me where I see Russian (Cyrillic, right?) writing and it's as we say "all Greek to me"
- Do you speak English? - No - Can you tell me where the Metro is? - Met-ROW? This way So they do understand English and usually are able to help, but they are too shy to boast they speak a foreign language) Conclusion: don't ask people if they speak English, just get down straight to the business.
Abstract Russian guesses? No lol. You have to know for sure, otherwise you can guess pretty much anything. If the guy in the video asked for directions to cemetery for e.g. I am sure, the results would have been different. Furthermore, the results would be tragically different, if the city wasn’t Moscow or St. Petersburg.
It was an windy evening of October. I was out of puff and came out side of Radisson in Saint Petersburg where I was staying. On the porch, there are few people standing. I asked a gentleman where can I find cigarettes? He said ok, come with me and started walking. It was evening and the man was in black suit. I was worried and followed him into a huge communist building which was completely dark. I walked with him into the basement of the building and to my surprise, there was a departmental store! He told me to choose my brand. No Good flakes so as people do, I choose Marlboro. I took a packet and then pick a lighter too. Total bill was around ₹400 in our money. When it was time to pay, that gentleman put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Don't worry, you are our guest" and paid all of it!!!
The majority of Russians study English at schools and universities. They understand basic English, but they cannot speak it well or switch immediately to English. Many are scared of speaking English just because they don't use it in their daily life. I judge by my niece - she studied English at school, university, and even at English-language courses for several years. But she still feels shy answering me when I ask her questions in English (she is afraid of making mistakes). So... do not afraid of asking people in the street, you will always find someone who will answer you. Just few tips - 1) don't speak fast (people who are not using English often, simply get lost when they suddenly come across an English-speaking person, and prefer to say "I don't speak English" or "No" instead of trying painfully to remember grammar rules, words, etc. 2) Make eye contact with a person, say... "please, help me". Russians are compassionate people, and they try to help those in need. 3) Smile and use gesticulation - this shows people that you are friendly and ready to use other forms of communication, not only perfect English. Russians, as they are afraid of speaking poor English, need encouragement. These three tips will help you almost everywhere in Russia, even if you find yourself somewhere in places where people don't speak English at all.
No you are lying, I am from post soviet country, I am familiar with russian mentality and I can assure you reason why they don’t speak english is because they have superiority complex. Many times I’ve seen russians responding in russian language to english comment. Because russians are Racist and Fascist, they never concede being inferior to someone else, always equal or superior
@@inter3684 I am from post soviet country and you are wrong they don't think that they are superior nation, they can understand simple English but it is hard for them to speak on it for them much easier to answer no rather than speak with u in English.
@@gregorynasimentov5906 these people are real on the street they are not rude at all, for their mentality it is just unusual to speak with people on a street
I agree : when you ask your questions Russian people assume - highly level English, your “ street “ English probably know 75 % population Russian. if you start your question on English : how I can found something - l guarantee 8 out 10 people will stop and explain you on broken English.
Maybe you would have gotten more responses if you had asked the question in Russian “Вы говорите по-английски?”. When I lived in Germany, if you just started speaking to someone in English, they would often just ignore you. But, but if you attempted to speak in German, or if you asked them in German if they spoke English, they would be more than likely to help you. I just think it is common courtesy when you are in a foreign country to at least know enough of the language to at least ask and answer basic questions. But, I do understand that your experiment was to speak only English. - Thank you for the video, it was still an interesting experiment. -Eugene
Being a tourist in a country, you are obliged to speak little of the language of the country. If this same person asking the same question let's say in Morocco 90 percent of the people will answer him even with broken english or even escort him to the place he is looking for. Again, this is from experience
Bouqal Davidson Yes, this has been my experience as well in every country I’ve visited. It’s a simple matter of respect, and it shows that you’re at least trying. I think to do otherwise, it would just come off as arrogance.
Hi. Must say, if I'm a tourist in a foreign country, why would it be mandatory for me to know any word what so ever?.. France and Germany were troublesome to get directions.. seem more like arrogance then anything else.. if someone comes to me on street and ask me for directions I would love to help out.
eladon19153 No, it’s not mandatory that you know the language, but your traveling experience will be different. As for me, I want to experience the culture when I travel to other countries. What better way to do that, than to know the language, even if only at a basic level. Besides, it makes my experience much richer than it would otherwise. It also helps me when navigating the cities, reading signs, menus, or asking for assistance etc. For me it makes a huge difference in the type experience I have when traveling to a foreign country. But that’s just me and how I like to do things when I travel. Thanks, -Приятного путешествия!
Юджин Самуилович I agree. I'm German and I've had the case in Germany of a French guy getting out of his nice red sports car and addressing me in French. I speak enough French because I had to take it in school, so I knew what he was looking for, but I refused to speak French with him. I mean it's really a rude thing to do, to expect that everybody understands your language because you think you are culture mondiale. I told him instead I only speak German or English and made him stumble through his bad English. He did not speak German or maybe he didn't want to try because of how piss poor bad it was. The expectation that you can just go to Germany and speak French with all the bad history between us and them and not just WW1 and WW2. I don't have the expectation to come to Russia and just speak German wherever I go. Вместо я узнал ваш языкa. Not perfect but good enough to ask the way. That way I can get through mostly without help and if I'm stuck with the little Russian I speak, maybe then someone who knows German or English will be much more inclined to help. My Russian is now much better than my French btw.
I'm Russian, read comments now and lough. Even in one film presents so scene: a Russian man is tested on the lie detector. Dialog with the German auditor: - Spreсhen Sie Deutsch? - Nein - Why answers "Nein" if speak?!!! The lie detector shows that all OK
i remember last time when i toured a russian couple and i asked them, how's the philippines so far?? the guy responded * so far?? i guess 16,000 miles away*
@@user-np8pn2lj7b "Я плохо понимаю на слух" Мне неплохо помогает просмотр роликов на трубе. Только не таких, где "do you speak English?" - чуть ли не единственная фраза по-английски. :-)
The problem is that it's a complete pain in da ass to ask directions in Moscow. They know nothing. 90% are not local and got no clue in what is going on in the area) but these Russians speak better English than Latinos here, in Miami))🤣
The author amused me. Next time you want to know if Russian speaks English, don't ask him if he speaks English, because the answer is English, "No." Ask him,"could you help me?" Russian is very difficult to refuse anyone help.
It's funny to see Gaviscon heartburn tablets in Cyrillic text, "GYEVISKON", thought it would be a different brand in Russia. That's the number one brand in the UK.
I did 2000 km hitchhiking all around russia, undoubtedly i can say that 99% Russians are helpful and they have beautiful souls! Guess what i am an indian, there was a big language barrier but they were able to understand what i am trying to say with sign languages and help of google translator. I learned some words like atkuda(where are you from), mineazabut mohit(my name is mohit) etc which helped me in course of a trip. I like Altai mountains very much and the freezing cold winter, i am astonished to see that how time and weather changes with region to region. Lovely people, beautiful land.
Wow, it was honestly pretty brave (or maybe reckless? :) ) of you to hitchike across Russia without speaking any Russian. I know a few foreigners who did the same but they both spoke at least intermediate Russian already. I'm happy you had a good experience even without the language! Some Russians can be real assholes, but I'm glad to hear that good people are still the overwhelming majority and that you were safe.
Valeria Vagapova Pretty much safe! Some of them whom i hitchiked with me insist me to stay in their home if i could not find any good hostel or someone didnt accepted my request on couchsurfing.com. (yes, i couchsurfed too ) I spent many nights in the truck, tent, hut houses and many more. I travelled through each mode of transportation including trains, buses, metro etc. The hospitality, love and care i got is incredible and could not be expressed in words. In soviet era, i found that Russians used to watch a lot of bollywood films and it helps to connect with them more strongly. I personally feel in giving back to these lovely people so i bought a gift for them from a nearby market or gave them each a 100 Rs indian note. Yes, there are few arrogant and bad people just like they are in india too, so we could not portray all of them in one picture. We need to believe in our guts. But at last, this trip helps me to rebuild my personality and moreover i felt the local culture, local food and their family values. Just one mistake i did, not recording or vlogging the whole adventurous trip. But i am not going to do this mistake again, as i am going to europe in july so going to travel by this hitchiking/couchsurfing way only and this time i am going to record each and every detail of trip. Whenever these people who helped me in russia came to india, i have promised them i am going to take care of them and host them. I think i have gone in an emotional flow by writing this post, therefore going to end now. Hope you have a great day, Valeria.
I met a guy in Moscow who had really good English (actually I only met 2 people who spoke English in 6 weeks) he was deaf! He could lip read and he was a maths genius, well scientists. I lost my way to Moscow central uni and he was on his way there too. He was actually into prediction models/ formulas (by hand no doubt) and the books he used were in English. I could speak Russian but I would've had a kiwi accent.
I live in Vladivostok(Far Eastern Russian city), and there are many Asian tourists(Chinese, Korean etc). I speak English and always try to help them, but when I talk to foreigners, I get lost, I forget all grammar rules and look like fool. In spite of this, they always understand me😂 My advice if you visit Russia: try to ask young people. Old and adult Russian people learned German language in school UPD: I have read some comments, and some people think that Russians are rude, because they understood question and said "no" (some commentators think that it means they do speak English). But it isn't so. In our understanding, you speak English when you can explain your thoughts in English. Of course, every Russian person know basic words, such as "Hello", "Good bye", "No", "Yes" and so on. But when someone asks us "Do you speak English?", many people consider that they do not speak and answer "no"
@@GlowingPie массовая проституция на Дальнем Востоке. Едут туда к "белым лошадкам". Секс туры. Те мужчины которые не могут заполучить женщину своём народе, старики и третьесортные мужчины, едут за сексом или в восточную европу или в тай, или к вам в владивосток. Почитайте корейские сайты или китайские.
@@GlowingPieПривет comrade! l like Russia especially the Russian people,l ve been to blagoveshchensk just 2 month ago right before the chinese new year,i really like that city and it was a great experience, i ve also learnt some basic phrases and sentences in russian just in case of emergency situations XD,hahaha i like russian language btw,it's interesting,much love from northern china.❤
I am korean and when i visited in vladivostok, there people are so kind but they can't speak english well nevertheless they tried to help as Google translate it was so impressed
[P E R O G] Because they are not quite sure that they are speaking this word right. If they learned English in the school and had no practice in communication they doubt that they English is a real English and this stranger understands them.
I kinda get the reaction. With Russians you just should get to the point immediately. I know it's counterintuitive, but if you would just straight up ask the question - you're much more likely to get an answer in Russia
I went to a big parade in St. Petersburg and couldn't find anyone who spoke English. Then at one point the national anthem of the Russian Federation was sung, and I sang along in Russian. I don't speak Russian, but I had memorized the national anthem. People looked at me like I was from Mars. When the anthem ended I found that over half the people I was surrounded by suddenly spoke pretty good English and couldn't wait to be helpful. Respect works!
Wow man this video brought me good memories when in 2017 I lived in Moscow near Novokutsneskaya metro station, I Used to play Basketball in that court you see in the background at 7:40. Looking forward to comeback to russia someday. And yes a few people speak english.
@@user-gc1wm6lo3i you are no serb, there's no such nation as serb, it doesn't even exist. You are russians who moved from russia to balkans a long ago.
Bro, i had the same experience in Italy. Lots of English speaking Italians just don't want to take the time to speak to foreigners. It feels very isolating but just like you some people feel sorry for you and will help you out. Good video from Sacramento
I'm rather impressed by the response within a few groups of people. it seemed like with in 10 groups of people you will get someone to speak and help. Or even if they couldn't speak it well they could understand enough to point you in the right direction. Very cool .
If you come at a Russian just saying, “Do you speak English?!” We’re gonna say ‘no’ every time. We’re kind of suspicious people. I speak almost perfect English but I would have said no as well.
Melanie Schneiderman haha really?)) where did you hide during the World cup when literally every Russian did his best to help every foreigner even without speaking English. By the way I Always try to help even if they shy to ask but look confusing on the street.
Рамис Карама I’m born in Vladivostok and my name is actually Mariyasha (it’s Jewish). But when I came to the US my parents thought it’s a confusing name so they changed it to Melanie. But I still keep Mariyasha as my middle name, and my Rus and Uki friends mostly call me Maryam.
The past two years, I've been watching lots of travel videos & came-across the one of your cousin driving from London to your hometown in the Urals. Russia is next on my list of places to go, if younger people do speak English, should help me when I'm lost & need directions or when I need the menu read to know what's the meal. I'm thinking of Vladivostok, as it's closer to Australia. Also, the architecture there is pretty & the JDM car scene is SWEET also.
Just ask them straight and don't ask if they speak English. Saying Yes means a High expectations of being fluent in English so just go ahead and ask for your questions
не, они не думали пранк, все в школе учили англ, они поняли ваш вопрос, но их не учили говорить, поэтому им проще пройти мимо. И да, так сделает большинство!
Great video idea! 😅👍 4:21 If people say that they speak English, after the first "Where is the metro?" question, you should reveal to them what you are actually doing, and talk a bit more smal talk with them. Such as: "Where did you learn English? What should I visit in this city? How much does this or that cost? What is your job? Ect, ect.
It is strange begining of first phrase to strange people "do you speak English?"... People may think that he want to have some long conversation and they try to ignore him..
Dr Phil The Walrus I’m Brazilian too. I think he was there just traveling, for business or something else, because he said that doesn’t speak English neither Russian. And as a Brazilian learning Russian I can say that Russian isn’t so hard for Portuguese speakers. Some weird grammar rules and quite different words, but the pronunciation isn’t so strange for us. If this guy lived there for a few months, I’m sure he could manage to exchange some short dialogues in Russian. The natural irreverence and empathy from Brazilians make us very adaptable, it’s rare to find a Brazilian living abroad that can’t speak the language used where he’s living, even in bad ways or with strong accent, you will notice that Brazilians aren’t afraid of try out and look somewhat ridiculous, we adapt really fast.
The "secret" is to never ask if they speak English, because Russian people is shy just like Swedish people (like me), but still very helpful - just be polite and ask your question. I got a whole crew of street workers to change trains because they accidentaly sent me the wrong way and they wanted to help me get in the right direction! If it's your first time in Russia I'd recommend to visit St Petersburg as I found the locals to be better at expressing themselves in English, compared to Moscow.. but still, I managed to travel alone in both cities without any issues. This was before I learned a bit of the Russian language. Now Moscow is even easier to handle yourself since the metro stations now have latin letters and not only cyrillic as it was when I was there last. С новым годом из Швеции!
I love Russian People, they are great and honest people and Once I would, InshaAllah, visit Russia to be able to be exposed to the Russian culture, tradition,Values, etiquettes, lifestyles,Cuisine and so forth. Lots of love for Russia from Darbhanga,India. I am also learning Russian Language.
Actually they understand you not because they speak English, they understand because Metro has the same word and sound in Russian "метро" that's why they predict the meaning and give you the direction. BTW I'm not Russian but figured it out. Saudi Arabia :)
The last man they spoke to had a very interesting accent. It was almost a "deep south" American accent on some of the words. It would also seem that asking, "Do you speak English?" is the wrong question. More people responded when they were asked a specific question. I got the feeling from watching this that some of the people say they cannot speak English because they interpret that question to mean, "Are you proficient at English? You're at international English level C2 right?" Of course many people who can speak enough to help or have a small conversation will say they don't speak English if they think this is what you are asking.
This also really helps that Metro is a cognate between Russian and English, I'm currently learning Russian and that is one of the first words we learned lol
@@justsmilekid5566 well Putin.....we had been Occupied by britans for a lot of years in Egypt and yet we either don't pronounce a lot of words correctly or don't even speak 😂😂😂😂
As a student of Russian, when I was in Russia I tried to speak always in Russian, "Извините...", "Скажите, пожалуйста..." and many started to speak as if I were a native. Maybe I should have made an effort to look more like a foreigner. 😀
