Viva la difference?

This story came to my attention this morning, on the premise that it's probably true:

An officer in the U.S. Naval reserve was attending a conference that included admirals from both the U.S. Navy and the French Navy. At a cocktail reception, he found himself in a small group that included personnel from both navies.

The French admiral started complaining that whereas Europeans learned many languages, Americans learned only English. He then asked: "Why is it that we have to speak English in these conferences rather than you speak French?

Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied: "Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you would not have to speak German."

The group became silent.

Then again, my father's mother was a Barga, from the Alsace-Lorraine region of France. In their family Bible, the various entries are listed as either Barga or Berger. It's a good thing I wasn't there; I'd probably mention that piece of trivia to break the ice, and the Aussies would feel obliged to beat the crap out of me.

God save the Queen.