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 personnel from both navies. The French admiral started complaining that whereas Europeans learned many languages, Americans learned only English.

He then asked: 'Why is it that we have to speak English in these conferences rather than you speak French?'

Without hesitating, the American admiral replied: 'Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies, and Americans arranged it so you would not have to speak German.'