The french again

["alarman" <alarman2000@xxxxxxxxx>]

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a Naval conference that included
 admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French
 Navies. At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a
 group of half dozen or so officers that included personnel from most
 of the countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped
 their drinks but a French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas
 Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then
 asked: "Why is it that we always have to speak English in these
 conferences rather than speaking French?" Without hesitating, the
 American Admiral replied:"Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians,
 Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak
 German." Suddenly the group became very quiet.
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