A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a Naval conference that included
admirals from the US, British, 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."