Is it polite in Japan to ask if someone speaks English? (英語を話せますか？)


As preparation for my trip, I am re-learning my Japanese. I imagined a
scenario which I am not sure if it is okay to ask.

Is it polite to ask someone if they speak English or are people offended by
the question?

Also, is 英語を話せますか okay or is 英語ができますか better?




While I wouldn't consider it too impolite to ask someone directly whether he
or she speaks English, the better strategy might be to ask

> 英語で質問してもいいですか  
>  お伺いしたいんですが、英語で大丈夫ですか

or something along these lines. This way, you are asking for permission to
speak in English without putting anyone in the situation of assessing their
own English skills.

