I've lived in Germany for over 35 years and speak fluent, articulate German. I held a management position at a leading German bank where the company language was German. Nevertheless, to this day, whenever I go shopping, I feel like I'm being tested. Will the salesperson be kind enough to forget the American accent - and Asian appearance - and listen to what I'm saying? It's a painful experience, and until now it never dawned on me to stop playing that game. You're right: My German's fine and the onus to understand is on the others.