MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - To speak or not to speak the local language when visiting other countries?

Stitchawl · 06-19-2009, 07:47 PM

It's my personal belief that it's my responsibility to learn to say 'hello,' 'thank you,' 'excuse me,' and 'good bye' in the language of any country I visit. I also will learn 'how much does it cost,' 'no thank you,' and 'where is the toilet.' (I can say "Immodium" in 11 languages!)

As a frequent traveler I found it useful to learn the words for numbers as they pertain to money. This has saved me a LOT of money over the years, especially in S.E. Asia where bargaining is the norm. However, my language ability is really pretty poor and I don't seem to be able to learn much more than this. I just finished a comprehensive Japanese course and my only thoughts are that the fellow who invented Japanese grammar was NOT a very nice man...

Stitchawl

06-19-2009, 07:47 PM	#3
Stitchawl Opsimath Posts: 12,344 Karma: 187123287 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand Device: Sony PRS-650, iPhone 5, Kobo Glo, Sony PRS-350, iPad, Samsung Galaxy	It's my personal belief that it's my responsibility to learn to say 'hello,' 'thank you,' 'excuse me,' and 'good bye' in the language of any country I visit. I also will learn 'how much does it cost,' 'no thank you,' and 'where is the toilet.' (I can say "Immodium" in 11 languages!) As a frequent traveler I found it useful to learn the words for numbers as they pertain to money. This has saved me a LOT of money over the years, especially in S.E. Asia where bargaining is the norm. However, my language ability is really pretty poor and I don't seem to be able to learn much more than this. I just finished a comprehensive Japanese course and my only thoughts are that the fellow who invented Japanese grammar was NOT a very nice man... Stitchawl Last edited by Stitchawl; 06-19-2009 at 07:50 PM.