International Travel06 Feb 2007 06:50 pm
Lost, confused, or need some travel assistance in a foreign country where you don’t speak the local language? Don’t try asking someone if they speak English; 9 times out of 10 they will say no or shake their head no. TIP: Politely ask someone with your finger on a map or in a travel book the question you want answered. I have found that most people know a little English to help.
[…] 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 andreemphasize its importance. A common mistake that I see people make is asking people if they speak English when trying to find out 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. […]