Why’s everyone assuming this isn’t in America? I’ve seen signs like this here and it’s immigrants’ way of saying “listen we’re trying to speak your language well, but please be sympathetic as it’s our second (or more) language”. We’re generally fine with people not speaking English when we’re outside America, it’s inside our borders that we’re tremendous assholes about it

Because we have to if they don't speak our language

Classic mistake of someone Thai trying to speak English. They forgot to write the words “long time” at the end.

I say it because every time I try to speak in someone in their language, they immediately switch to English. (even the one I'm pretty damn good at)

Because of the dominance of English, many people learn it and that's enough to talk to people from many countries, but what are we supposed to do? We can't learn all the other languages.

Of course as people pointed out, this is far from a uniquely American thing. Also, I'm sure by American they mean the USA, but "Americans" are inclusive of north, central and south America. Here in Europe, we also expect people to speak English as it is the universal language.

As a side note, it is also often commented that Americans (USA Americans) can only speak English. This is a narrow view that primarily broadly looks at white Americans and ignores the fact that the US is a huge melting pot of cultures and for many US citizens English is their second or third language.

It goes without being said, the contents of the picture should never have a reason to be written. Don't be a dick to people trying to help you.

Hop on a 6 hour flight, or drive for 40 hours from most countries and you’ll likely find yourself in a place that speaks an entirely different language. In America all that gets you is someone who has a different kind of twang in their voice.

Not saying it’s right to make that assumption but it’s definitely understandable why people do.

I wonder if there was a time in which a similar sign was written in Latin.

Because they have no official language so any language can be used in the US

Not a justification, but part of the reason is that English is currently the world's lingua franca.

Because they often do. And most non native speakers really work at it too. Love them for it