Unkotare
Diamond Member
- Aug 16, 2011
- 131,357
- 25,621
- 2,180
Asshole.
I know it sounds mean at first but I can completely understand Saigon's position on this.
When traveling to foreign countries, there are two words every traveler must learn in the native language: hello and thank you. It's not optional.
It is all about respect and a little humble respect can open doors to fantastic experiences while traveling abroad which would otherwise remain shut if the traveler arrogantly assumes the natives should and will automatically speak their own language. It's true 80% of the world can speak some English but that fact can never be taken for granted.
Exactly that!
It takes two minutes to learn "hello" and "thanks" in any language, and even if you can't get those you can start with "excuse me, do ou speak English" rather than "Hey - where's the post office?".
It takes zero seconds to NOT be an asshole.