Years ago when I visited Germany (a hotel in Heidelberg), there happened to be another American in front of me at the hotel. He asked for water. The young woman behind the counter, knowing he was American from his language and accent, said: “Would you like any gasoline in your water?”

He was very confused, and I couldn’t contain myself, bursting out in laughter. I stepped in and explained, she meant to say “gas” and was asking if he wanted still water or bubbly water. She knew most Americans didn’t drink carbonated water, at least then – a few years later brands like La Croix would sweep the country’s soccer moms all over the States.

We Americans think it’s funny but then I remember that these people know multiple languages and of course someone is going to get a word wrong here and there.

I also remember the four of us at dinner getting served waters and the waitress was saying “please” as she sat down each one on the coaster on the table. Which my understanding is that she was translating ‘bitte’ to English and that word has many meanings, one of them meaning please but can be used when your hand something over, if I’m not mistaken.