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Years ago, the language barrier was a big problem.
But today's Europe is increasingly bilingual,
and English is its second language.
These days it seems any place interested in your business speaks your language.
While it's nothing to brag about,
I speak only English and manage just fine.
Still, a few tips help.
First of all, it's rude to assume everybody speaks English.
I start politely by asking, "Parlez-vous anglais?" "Sprechen zie Englisch?" Whatever.
If they say no, I do my best in their language.
Generally, after a couple of sentences,
they'll say, "Actually I do speak a little English."
Okay, they're going to do you a favor by speaking your language, do them a favor
by speaking clearly,
slowly —
enunciate.
Easy words,
no contractions,
international words.
Rather than asking,
"Can I use the restroom?" ask, "Toilet?"
Rather than saying,
"Can I take your picture?" ask, "Photo?"
Make educated guesses and proceed confidently.
This must be a pharmacy.
And at the station, this sign shows trains arriving and trains departing.
Communicate with a curiosity and an appetite for learning.
In Europe, each region has its own gestures. "So, in Italy, we have lots of gestures.
For example, this one:
'delizioso' which is 'delicious,' 'very good,' 'eccellente.' And then we have also this: 'watch out,'
'be careful,' we're thinking of any danger, you know. And then we have
also this one:
'What would you like from me?'
'What you want?'
Or, go like this, for example: 'We don't want, I don't want this, I don't like, I don't like.'
'Go away, I don't want this.' Then we have the 'mwah!'
'Delizioso! Magnifico! Eccellente!
Bellissimo!' 'The best,' for example. And then we have this one, buddy-buddy,
you know, it's tight, like good friends
very good friends, buddy-buddy. And lots of gestures.
We can talk here all day long."