Bobyb,

Hear, hear! I agree with everything you posted. I'd like to add a couple of observations:

- My experience is Europe was much like yours, except I spent most of my time in Austria where the folks, as in Italy, were pleased that I spoke any semblance of their language at all.

- I know many non-native speakers of English who speak it better than many natives.

...maybe we all need to form the vanguard in an army to conquer this attitude and pursuade our country[wo]men to embrace all the odd, colorful, fresh and otherwise delightful ways in which non-native English speakers enrich our beloved tongue.

Where do we sign up?