Speak Their Language and Make a Friend

English is commonly understood around the world.  It may be the de facto international language.  When someone from Greece or Poland meets someone from Italy or Germany, they speak English.  However, if English is your native tongue, and you plan to travel to Europe, yourjourney is will surely be more fun if you can speak just a little of the language of the country you are visiting.

Since English seems to be the best known around the world, we’ll look at it from that perspective.  If you’re a native English speaker, that’s lucky for you, but to be a real traveler, you should learn a few phrases of that foreign language… hello, good-bye, please and thank you at the very least.  It’s just the right thing to do.  

Also learn how to ask (in their language) if they understand English… or try to ask your question in the local language.  They will appreciate the effort.  Often they will offer, “Would you like to speak English?”  And if they don’t speak English, they will surely try to find someone who can.

Take a phrase book with you.  It will help to be able to point out a phrase if the local person you’re asking doesn’t speak English or understand your version of their language.  Don’t just speak louder… that isn’t going to help.  Remember English is a second language to them!

Even if you’re trying, your pronunciation might leave them scratching their heads or blushing as you’ve said something you didn’t want to.  To be a traveler, you need a sense of humor… especially about yourself and don’t be embarrassed.  Point to the word in the phrase book.  Have a good laugh at yourself and forget it.

Take a chance.  People expect tourists to make mistakes…. even the French who are not as unfriendly as they are made out to be.  You should be GRATEFUL that they speak a little English to help you… it’s not something they are required to do.  

When you’re speaking English to your new friends, speak slowly and avoid slang.  Idiomatic expressions and slang in any language often translate into something you really didn’t want to say!

If you travel to France and the waiter comes up to you and says, “Bon jour, cafe?”  Don’t look blank and say you don’t speak French.  How hard is it really?  He’s greeting you with good morning and asking if you want coffee.  You should reply, “Bon jour, oui, merci.”  See that wasn’t so hard.  Just a couple of words you probably really did know already, and now your waiter LIKES you… even if you don’t know another word of French!

Don’t be intimidated by signs in a foreign language… take a good look at them… think in an intuitive way.  Does it look similar to a word you’re familiar with?  If it says “farmacia” instead of “pharmacy”, take a guess… you’re probably looking at that pharmacy or drug store you were looking for!  There may be a picture sign to help?  A green cross or a pharmacist’s scale would be a good clue.  That may not be what you’re used to at home, but look in the window and think about it, and you can figure it out.

Remember, you went on this trip to experience something different… so revel in that foreign language, learn a few words, buy travel insurance,  and enjoy yourself!