I"ll say this too. Trying is the key, if you try, people will be more willing to work with you. I do understand thought that for some people (Elderly and special needs) learning a new language is hard, and I give them some room but the rest of them....
As a side note, best thing I ever saw was a Middle-Eastern family at that culvers. None of the Parents spoke good English. They tried, but couldn't get a cross what they wanted. So their 7 year old daughter started translating. Comon, if a 7 year old can do it, no reason the 20somethings can't. (PS that 7 year old got some free Ice cream)
{Edit} @ Thelis, Cool! Learn something new every day. Way off topic, but is it true there are no police brutality laws there?