When I got to Brussels, I was very surprised to learn that NO ONE speaks English. This is counter to what everyone told me going into Brussels.

My impression was that half of the country spoke French and might know English, but half spoke Flemish and English very well. Maybe that's so, but on this particular Saturday in Belgium, that wasn't my experience. (My only Flemish encounter was a drunk guy who told me repeatedly that he was gay and married. And that's all he could say in English.)

I know a decent amount of Spanish, a questionable amount of Italian, counting and courtesies in French, and ZERO Flemish, so this was difficult for me. When I arrived at at the Brussels Midi Train Station I was faced with the task of finding a metro to Brussels Central Station, buying a locker for the day, finding and purchasing a ticket for Amsterdam, going out to drink, finding the same locker, and making it to Amsterdam before it got too late. With no signs, no Google Maps, no "you are here" dots on the maps I did find, and no English, this was much more of an adventure than I anticipated. Luckily, I became very good at playing dumb, and getting French people to humor my lack of speaking ability.

Tips for Getting Help from the French

Speak softly.
If at all possible, begin phrases in French, "je voudrais . . . . " "C'est . . . . "
Use Gestures - wildly if need be
Appear embarrassed at your lack of understanding, as though you know you should know French, but c'est domage, your inferior American language skills have simply gotten in the way.