by Sandra Piddock

Created on: March 10, 2009   Last Updated: February 02, 2010

We have a friend who epitomises all that is worst about the Englishman (or woman) abroad. Using the assumption that 'everyone speaks English,' our friend, although widely travelled, cannot even say 'please' and 'thank you' in any other language. She gets by by speaking loudly and slowly, as if to someone with learning difficulties. To drive home the point, she makes gestures with her hands, such as a pouring gesture for more milk in her coffee, and a circular hand movement when asking for the telephone, even though dial telephones went out with leg warmers and shoulder pads.

As a result, she often doesn't get what she wants, or if she does, she is laughed at. Surely the point of travel, apart from having a good time and seeing faraway places with strange sounding names, is to learn about and absorb new cultures? No matter how many guide books you buy or borrow from the library, you'll miss out on a great deal unless you learn a few basics of the language. As we live in Spain, I'll use Spanish as my example language here.

The first thing you are told when learning the basics of Spanish, so that you can order drinks and food, is that you don't just barge in and ask for what you want. It's polite to offer a greeting first - a simple 'Hola' or 'Buenas Dias' will do, but omitting this basic courtesy marks you out as a stranger in town. Not only will you attract the derision of the barman or waiter, any passing criminal  will identify you as a possible target.

Knowing a little of the language not only makes day to day living easier, it also gives the impression that you are not an innocent abroad, even if your accent marks you out as non-indigenous. These days, it's so easy to pick up a little language. There are automatic translators, online sites which give you word and phrase lists for every conceivable situation, and the old standby, the foreign phrase book, so there is no excuse for even the most language-challenged among us.

My husband is 76 and has declared he is too old to learn a new language, but even he can't avoid picking up words and phrases from advertising hoardings, signs and store catalogues. When we have children to visit, we make a game of asking them to guess shops from a distance by reading the signs. It's fun, and our youngest granddaughter was tickled pink to discover that a 'Ferreteria' was a hardware store, not some kind of pet shop.

I am by no means fluent, but I have enough Spanish to make small talk in shops and bars and to read advertising blurbs and warnings. I go to a belly dancing class, where there is only one other English lady. The others are Spanish, including the teacher, so I was a little concerned about feeling left out. However, I needn't have worried. Because I greeted the class with a smile and 'Buenas Dias,' I was immediately accepted. Every week, the Spanish ladies teach me some new phrases, and I do the same for them, so we're all benefitting.

Learning the language will also help you to appreciate the humour of the country you're visiting. On a walk into our local village, I was delighted to be able to decipher a witty piece of grafiti. It made me feel as if I belonged, yet the sentiment was universal. It read: 'Por que las mujeres van siempre a los aseos de dos en dos?' 'Why do ladies always go to the toilet in pairs?' The Spanish are not so different after all, are they? Learn some of the language and you'll discover just how much we have in common with these hospitable, fun-loving people.

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