When people speak another language near you, they’re usually not talking about you.

Hearing words you cannot parse makes your brain reach for the only explanation available, and the self-centred one arrives first. In practice people switch to the language they think in because it is easier, and they are discussing dinner, work, or somebody not in the room. The discomfort is about being outside something, which is worth noticing, since plenty of people live in that feeling full time.

When the suspicion turns up, remember what you talk about with your own family and assume the same. If you are curious, ask what language it is. If you are the one switching, a short translation is a kindness.