“Nothing annoys me more than Farangs who can’t even be bothered to learn how to say thank you.”

When you’re in a foreign country it’s respectful to learn at least some of their language. The quote above comes from a Thai restaurant owner who, after walking twenty minutes to buy some coconuts for some desperate tourists didn’t even get a thank you. Imagine standing in a shopping mall and a strange looking man approaches you. He mumbles something incomprehensible and then starts flapping his arms in a pitiful attempt at body language. I witnessed this happen and felt embarrassed as the man was of the same nationality I am.

Learning some phrases in another language can help no end. Simply saying ‘hello’ can establish a bond of respect that will encourage the local to be more helpful. Take it a step further and ask the taxi drivers, hoteliers and waitresses how they are feeling today. Why not ask for the bill in the native tongue too? Before you know it, smiles are coming your way at no end and service is excellent, with enthusiasm rather than resent.

If the locals are seemingly hostile, it’s probably because you’ve made a bad impression. Yet not all the time. For example being a white skinned girl in India, you will receive glaring stares at all times from distances as little as a foot away. But if you speak the language, people are generally nicer.

Save Money With Bartering

Many LEDCs still lower prices with a bit of bartering, and as a tourist you are much more likely to be ripped off. It’s all relative pricing, they (the local businessmen) will charge you what they think you can afford. If you speak English, the assumption is you come from the West and thus have an annual income ten times greater than theirs. Therefore you can afford ten times as much. On the other hand, if you surprise them by speaking their dialect, their starting price will be far lower.

I had direct experience with this walking down a night market in Penang, Malaysia. In front of me were a tourist couple and they asked (in English) how much a wooden ornament was. The stall-owner opened with RM120 (that’s apx. $16) and they were frustrated as this obviously was artificially high. Out of curiosity, I then approached and greeted the same man (who hadn’t seen me) in Malay, asked him how he was, and then asked for the price. His reply was RM70 ($10) spoken again in Malay.

Connect With More People

Learning languages also opens up many barriers. Think how many people there are in the world, about 6.6 Billion and growing. Due to language restrictions we can only really speak to 30% of these people in English fluently, yet include Spanish and Chinese to your repitoire and this has suddenly jumped to approximately 65% or more. With efficient use of body language, not the flapping of the arms, communication suddenly becomes much easier. More people are able to become friends and there is greater opportunity to meet potential partners.

However don’t be disillusioned,  one cannot learn a language just like that. It takes time, patience, persistence and determination. Give yourself a phrase book and an hour though, and you will have enough words in that particular language to get you through daily life. In Koh Samui, Thailand I met a deaf lady who had to communicate soley through body language. She didn’t know sign language, nor did the people around her, but her ability to express concern, questions, opinions and arguments was staggering. For example I accompanied her to a local butchers, and there she wanted Honey Roast Ham.

To communicate this, she firstly pushed up her nose to make it pig shaped, then made a buzz noise (although I don’t know how she learned to do this being deaf) and finally pointed at the meat. She was understood perfectly. Where there is a will, there is a way. Just as a boisterous side note, the old lady also expressed I was a handsome boy by pointing at her cheeks, then me and finally giving a thumbs up with a big smile.

Watch Your Accent Change

Languages can be learnt in class, by audio books or by phrasebooks but the best way is to stay in the native country for long periods of time. Not only do you pick up obscure words that you wouldn’t have though necessary such as ‘hot chick’ and ‘arsehole’ but you also begin to use their accent. A Business Management Coach who had lived in Thailand for two years, but originated from Colorado, U.S. remarked, “Tom, why did your accent suddenly change when you spoke to that waitress?”

Even now in Perth, Australia my Aunty today said that I have a mix of Oz, Malay, Thai and English accents which makes me sound like a “New Zealand’er breathing Helium.” Which brings me on nicely to the final point:

Languages Are Sexy

When your partner is a foreign sweetheart and becomes angry, you may have experienced that they shout in their native tongue because it’s easier. And damn is that hot. Or taking the other side of things, you’ve just approached a Hispanic goddess, and some tanned beefcake comes along and introduces himself in her language. Before you know it, they’re laughing away and you don’t know why, and you smile uncomfortably shifting in your seat pissed that you didn’t take those extra lessons in school.

Speaking multiple languages shows intelligence, cultural diversity, social adaptability and something wildly exotic. So if there’s anything you’re going to do today (after giving this article a StumbleUpon Thumbs-Up), you should decide a language that would help you most in your life right now. Even if there’s just one foreigner you know, make an effort to learn how to say Goodbye, Hello, How are you? and Thank You. Adios, Hola, Como estas? and Gracias!

Ten un buen dia!

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