Dao said:Very logical explanations, I admit. I could agree with some of them but then I saw this:
_http://en.news-4-u.ru/elton-john-admitted-that-he-was-flattered-by-a-call-to-putin-and-praised-his-good-english.html
He knows german but he doesnt speak it with frau Merkel for reasons above.
But he tried to speak english with Elton John and that what real courtesy is. Because people like when you speak their native language. If you want to gain people's favour speak their language, escpecially if you're fluent in it.
Well, what you wrote above is actually a good example why studying politics is vital if you want to understand strategy, human psychology and human interactions. It's true that speaking in person's language creates fondness and facilitates friendship. Now think logically, why would a person like Putin, who is well versed in diplomatic relations would suddenly "forget" a language and use a service of interpreter? Maybe in this particular case, especially when it comes to madame Merkel, Putin actually wanted to create a sort of distance, and this way to send a very subtle, but very vivid message to anyone who can see. It is actually brilliant. I think you really need to watch the movie "The President" to understand the level of this person and what his aids are saying about him. Seriously, if it isn't him but some double, he is doing a hell of a job, so who really cares. ;)