Communicating in Foreign Countries
Communicating with people in foreign countries can be a challenge, especially when you don’t speak the local language. I’ve written on this topic before here, but I felt the need to expand on it a little to clarify and reemphasize its importance. A common mistake that I see people make is asking people if they speak English when trying to find directions in a foreign city. Almost always the response is an emphatic NO. You are asking the stranger if they fully understand the English language – what you really want is some direction or information help – two vastly different questions. TIP: Go up to a likely stranger with a map or tour book pointing to what relates to your question (your hotel, tourist spot, metro station, e.g.). You get much more mileage out of this approach than just asking if they speak English.
I have started using the business travel guides on The Economist’s website, which give info on dealing with meetings and lunches in foreign cities. You can download them on to i-PODs. I used the Moscow guide, which is very funny in parts.
http://www.economist.com/businesstravel
As far as i know, where i have been in foreign countries everybody speaks English . English nowadays is not an foreign language for many countries . Thanks for the tips, great reading too .
Iulian