5 Words That Can Save Your Life & Your Travels Abroad

Also it is probably a good idea to learn a somewhat decent pronunciation of some of the place names. Locals might struggle to help if they don't understand where you want to go when you ask for instructions.

Absolutely agree. I know from personal experience that knowing just small words and phrases in the native language makes your travel much nicer. Encountered a group of fellow US travelers who were just leaving Italy (Rome specifically) as my group was just starting. The other group mentioned that everyone was "rude" and that they couldn't wait to get back to the US. Upon talking with them some more, we found out that they did not even attempt to try to speak Italian (Please, Thank You, etc.) and that they were thus not welcomed in a friendly manner. The organizer of my trip made sure to let us know that most places we would be going someone would be an English speaker, but we should bnot assume so, and that we should get a phrase book (shows you how long ago this was, not cell phones with translation apps) so we could try to communicate in their language. We all were prepared to try to use Italian, even if it was just the very simple niceties, and we all had a great time and never felt that people were "rude". I remember at one restaurant that the server's face just light up in a huge smile when I said thank you in Italian, and she then tried to talk to me in Italian. I had to politely let her know I only knew about 5 things, but even so she was so happy that I even made that little effort. I could really see that my little effort to use her language meant a great deal to her and brought a bit of joy to her that day.

"Help (me)" may also come in handy at times....

When I was little I went with my parents to stay with my aunty, uncle and cousins who were stationed in Germany for a fortnight. The only words/sentences that I can remember from that trip is how to order one of the brands of ice cream and to thank them. Over 34 years later and I could still order a bon bon ice cream and say thanks if I was ever in Germany again

I'm 57 and when I hear Innsbruck I go back to the 1976 Winter Olympics and skier Franz Klammer

Always know please, thank you and bathroom in every country in which you travel!!

5 Words That Can Save Your Life & Your Travels Abroad
-> "Wait, Please! I have Money!!!" 😅🤣😂

Always know how to say, “I’d like an English speaking doctor, please.” Better yet, carry a 3” x 5” index card with that phrase written down on it. Happy Travels!

Excuse me is also good to know.

Mark, you look fantastic. Keep up the great work of staying fit.👍🏽🏆😊

Hi man you look great, have you been on a diet lately?

Hi , I’m wondering what one might do if you are in the middle of driving and there are no bathrooms anywhere,
Would it be illegal to hide behind a bush and take care of business ,

Illegal is the main concern??🤷🏻‍♀️

I was in Austria two years ago and also thirty years ago. Thirty years ago nearly everyone says: "Grüß Gott". Two years ago nearly everyone says "Hallo."

Be sure to learn the words for "I'm sorry" and "police". This really saved my bacon one time.

And now for something completely different, “My hovercraft is full of eels.”

Is that snow in the background in October?

I learn that if you say I’m afraid whenever you’re aren’t sure of some people ( like taxi driver who when to show you his family) they could explain more, ore just back off if they got ill intent

I learn that if you say I’m afraid whenever you’re aren’t sure of some people ( like taxi driver who when to show you his family) they could explain more, ore just back off if they got ill intent

Another very informative and practical travel video. Thanks very much for posting.

Can you comment on the availability of real time translation apps for smartphones and if relying on them obviates the need to learn these essential words and expressions covered in your video?

I don't know anything (no surprise there) but I have heard that in some cultures, like in Finland for example, people aren't as chatty and open (initially) to strangers and tourists. I have heard that walking into a shop and saying "Hyvää päivää" doesn't always go over too well with the locals. Can you provide tips for situations like these, please? Kiitoksia paljon!!

I thought you were going to say Peptol Bismo.

Awesome upload and sharing my friend Thanks big thumbs up cheers 👉🏻👉🏻👍🏻👍🏻🤗

Good info

"I am not an American". 😋

Is it true Norwegians aren't really responsive to a bunch thank yous?

My brother says he has had a lot of success around at least the germanic speaking countries with “more beer”.

I live in Italy. This is the second video he's made where he recommends the use of the word ciao for hello and goodbye. The word ciao is informal and should only be used with people you are familiar with.

I feel sick. Where is the hospital? or I need help.

People don't care if you can speak ten words of their language. Maybe they did in the 90's. Now you just annoy them because they probably speak better English than you.

A friendly smile and ( learned from Japanese visitors to my home town ) a small polite bow when you say 'thank you' or 'sorry' can also help.

Very good advice for those of us who can't learn a foreign language to save our lives. (Or, in the case of "toilet", our dignity.)

Ensure you & your children know the universal military alphabet (alpha, bravo, etc.) so police/military understand your name & location in an emergency anywhere on earth.👍

While toilets in German-speaking countries are frequently labeled "WC", don't ask where the WC is located -- stick with "Toilette".

I speak English, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Russian, some Greek, Romanian and Serbocroatian fluently.....
I tried learning Japanese as I worked for Japanese Companies, but I found it difficult, so I know only a few words and sentences in Japanese....😔
I always think about all the languages I don't know, and I feel quite depressed....

In France one should actually say -"bonjour monsieur", -"bonjour madame"

"Excuse me" or "pardon me," very helpful. Also, "Sorry, I don't speak (language)." "Check, please." "Good bye!" "I would like..." (point to it). And be able to read "exit" signs and "men/women" on bathroom doors.

I am not an American. 5 words that will save your life

If you're calling for help in Spain, it's "Socorro!", not "ayuda". The first means "I need help!" in the sense of emergency, while the second is help in the sense of "can you help me do this"? Important difference.

Fabulous ❤️🌺. An excellent source of factual information for me. ✅✅

Grazie (Italian) and Obrigado/Obrigada (Portuguese) will get you a lot of places in Italy and Portugal respectively! The locals in both places love it! As far as “toilette” is concerned, if you say “WC” in Portugal, that’s O.K.

Learn a few polite and useful words and your trip will be so much more enjoyable. If you speak just a little of the local language, the people will really open up and treat you much friendlier.

In countries with a lot of street vendors, leaning “no thank you” is especially helpful - we had to say “hapana asante” a LOT in Tanzania. I’d also say to just pay attention to how locals say things. In Argentina, we found that while hiking, people greeted us with “buen Dia” rather than the “buenos dios” we had learned, and quickly changed over. Finally, even if you aren’t going to be able to learn much of the language, learning how to pronounce things can really help. Eyjafjallajökull is a mouthful, but if you want to ask which volcano you’re looking at, it helps to know.

You are absolutely right, to know some local words do help a lot when traveling in a foreign country.

But there are a couple of mistakes concerning Italian and one regarding German.

"Ciao" in Italian is informal and used only among friends. If you don't know the person you're greeting, you have to use "Buon giorno" (hello) and "Arrivederci" (bye), like in French.

The same in German, "hallo" is informal, much better to use "Guten Tag" meeting a stranger. On the contrary, "Tschuess" is fine for both formal and informal use.

I completely agree! I have a much better experience in Europe when I use even my poorly pronounced French, German, Spanish, or Italian. I am making an effort and many of the locals appreciate the effort and that translates to their being more helpful and pleasant towards me.

Also don’t confuse Austria with Australia.

I said,”do you speak-a my language? He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich.”

An old philosophy teacher of mine used to say "It's ok, I'm from Sweden!" to solve problems abroad.

JUST SHOW YANKEE DOLLAR AND SMILE!

I always use "I am not an American"

psh babble, duolingo all day.

Or "No, I am not American"