International etiquette

My daily battle here is one that few nationalities appear to suffer from.

The majority of students at the College International de Cannes only speak English as a second language and so naturally revert to their mother tongues when possible. My first fortnight here this was almost unanimously Spanish, a language that I can comprehend though not use. My second fortnight here it has been German, a language of which I know how to say 11 things: good morning, goodbye, thanks a lot, you're welcome, I am a Berliner, can you speak German, bless you, moustache, sweat, bratwurst and Germany. All highly useful phrases for conversation.

This has meant that I am frequently talking quite happily in French or English with a fellow student until someone who speaks their mothertongue comes and joins us. This unfailingly results in my friend embarking on an in-depth conversation in German (or Spanish) that puts me in quite the quandry.

You see, were I in England and all this were happening in English, I would either be introduced to the new party and included in the conversation or I would be permitted by social etiquette to excuse myself to pop to the loo and play on my phone. Here, however, neither of these happen... I am left hanging, unintroduced and unexcused. Whence my internal battle begins; do I pretend to look interested in the conversation (despite both other parties knowing I understand none of it) or pretend to be deep in thought and gaze off into the distance for an unknown length of time (which is no less awkward than the first option)?

If I ever find out, I will let you know. For now, however, I remain hopeful that one day soon I may be excused from such an awfully uncomfortable conversation so that I can go and work on my high score at Solitaire instead.