Swenglish

I've been in Sweden for just about four months now and I've picked up enough Swedish to get myself into trouble. Most people here speak English better than I do and those who don't speak English, understand it pretty well. So, where I definitely don't need to know Swedish, since I see and hear it everyday, I like to know what's going on.

I can start off a conversation by asking a question or by replying to a question (as long as it's in context). Basically, I'm good for one back and forth and then I loose it. Either I don't understand what the other person says or I understand but I can't formulate a reply in Swedish. When I know what was said, I just reply in English (and depending on how comfortable the person is with English, they will either flip to English or stay in Swedish and speak basic and slow - and I continue replying in English). If I don't know, usually I apologize (in English) that my Swedish is not very good and ask them to repeat in English. Occasionally, I just smile and nod (particularly if it's just small talk while waiting in line for something). This works about 50% of the time and the other 50% of the time, the person thinks I'm a complete idiot.

I get stopped on the street and in the subway pretty frequently (I'd say at least once a week) by someone asking for directions or the time. Last weekend, a couple asked me something in the subway but I had no idea what they said. So, I said that I'm sorry but I don't speak Swedish (thinking that they'd re-ask in English or smile and ask someone else). Instead, I got the dirtiest look and they walked away. I thought it was weird how rude they were. Then, I looked back down at the Swedish newspaper I was flipping through while waiting for the train. Oops! They must have thought I didn't want to help them.