When you’re in a different language country

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France for example… as most english people have a bit of school vocab in them.

And you don’t speak the language…

Do you try,, knowing you sounds like a complete twat, or ask if people speak english first?

Particularly in campsites, I want to try. And do start off in French. But then find most of the staff speak English and think why not just speak English as it’s easier as we can both do it…. Then I feel even more of a twat for not knowing the language

I have not been to France in a long time but I remember you got better 'service' if you started off with French.

They always appreciate you attempting the basics

I’m in a European country at the moment and only have basic Duolingo level of the language but have been giving it a go. It’s been mostly appreciated by the locals even if we’ve ended up in English for anything complicated!

Always try! Learning to say "sorry my xx is not good" helps, but if you live somewhere everyday you get too good at saying that!

If you are starting off in French, and they are the ones switching to English, then it's fine to carry on in English. It would be weird not to. But always, always make the effort and start off in the language.

I start off in French (or my even more basic German, if appropriate) and generally whoever I'm talking to grabs the chance to practice their English and off we go.

You should try. People appreciate the effort even if you end up speaking in English.
If the conversation does switch to English still use please and thank you in the other language and goodbye.

I speak a limited amount of a European language which foreigners very rarely speak. I've had people give me things for free such as extra drinks at a meal, a pastry, a ticket to a museum just for trying!

I always try the local language! Even if it’s just a few words before going to English…

I travel quite a lot and always try and learn hello, good bye, yes, no, please and thank you as a bare minimum in local language. It’s always appreciated (except in France 😂)

I always try and managed a couple of very basic conversations in Spanish on holiday this year.

I always try and managed a couple of very basic conversations in Spanish on holiday this year.

People appreciate it if you make the effort, and using other languages is good for your brain. It's a win - win.

When I went to Denmark & Sweden last year I learned the basic please, thank you etc.

When I went to France for the first time in years I drew on my memories of A-level French to check into my hotel & the receptionist replied in French but I only understood about half of what she said - I was smiling & nodding & hoping I wasn’t agreeing to anything!

After that I stuck to English for anything that might get complicated, but used French in shops & restaurants.

I always learn to say please, thank you, hello, goodbye & help, at the very least. I make my kids learn it too. It’s just the polite thing to do!

Absolutely! It’s good manners to make the effort to acknowledge the host, isn’t it!

We found this in Germany too.

I am an English woman living in France. Please use your French first - nothing annoys people where I am more than people leading with “do you speak English?” And also start any interaction with “bonjour”, don’t just launch straight in. And it is usual to say a general “bonjour “ when entering a shop, vets etc.
Hope you have a great time.

It’s polite to at least try. Even if you can only say, ‘hello, do you speak English?’ Plus please and thank you.

Thanks everyone! I feel less of an idiot now!… I do have the basics dialled, and use them to start with. I also have Google translate on and ready of needed! I carry on as I am then. Thanks! ☺️

I did actually ask this… but I asked it in French 😂