HS I might take you up on your lessons. I’m in manufacturing, and just started producing offshore about 2 years ago. (I only produce about 3% offshore, but I expect that to grow.) The first time I went to the mainland to inspect the factory, I was stunned that the factory managers didn’t speak a lick of English! (But then I realized I didn’t speak a lick of Chinese. Ignoramus Deluxe, you might call me.) I could immediately see the benefit of being able to at least greet each other, and make small talk. I took Spanish in high school and college, and it has served me well; I’m sure learning Mandarin (or another dialect – which one to pick?) would be the same.
I would also add that if the American economy slows down, it will definitely impact the Chinese economy too, as they are so dependent on us buying their products. And thusly, (to borrow a word from Bugs,) I’d expect the demand for Chinese language to slow down also.
One last interesting tidbit: my Agent in Taiwan predicts there’s probably only 10 years of cheap labor left in China. That speaks to how fast their economy is growing! After that we can all say good-bye to cheap products on the shelves of Wal*mart. Where cheap labor will come from after that is anyone’s guess.