http://www.jimstraveltips.com/foreign-travel-assistance/ Having traveled the globe over 1 million miles with one airline alone, Jim is a self-proclaimed travel expert. Here are his practical tips for travelers of all types. Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:22:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 http://www.jimstraveltips.com/foreign-travel-assistance/comment-page-1/#comment-4909 Jim’s Travel Tips » Communicating in Foreign Countries Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:09:51 +0000 http://www.jimstraveltips.com/foreign-travel-assistance/#comment-4909 [...] 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. [...] [...] 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. [...]

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