Well, I am pragmatic in my approach where dialects and languages
are concerned. It is always good to speak more
than one's own dialect and language though it is not as though they
cannot survive if they do not.
I just realized the mentality of the
foreigners whom you mentioned above:
I
have a few times have a straight talk to a few PRCs on their
refusal to communicate and learn English.
One
of them told me her job did not require her to speak English.
This was not true, there were bangalas and foreigners
patronizing the store she was working. Others responded that
they were not interested and were so adamant that English is not
what they will learn.
They could be holding the same view as you
(not saying it is wrong), that they are pragmatic in their
approach where dialects and languages are concerned.
"It is
always good to speak more than one's own dialect and language
though it is not as though they cannot survive if they do
not."
That's why they do not learn English
(for the Chinese PRCs) because their view is Mandarin Chinese is
enough for their livelihood and it is not as though they cannot
survive if they do not speak English.
What do you think, Pengawal?
Woof Woof 
Meow
