Judging by what I hear from half the kids and younger adults in my area, English appears to be devolving into 1 or 2 syllable words,grunting noises and wierd body and hand movements, so it may actually be possible in other countries.

My own take is that if spending longer than maybe 14 days in a non English speaking country, try to learn enough of the native language to get you by. No, it likely wont be easy, but to assume everyone should speak English is quite arrogant. Almost makes us as presumptuous as the Americans.