Currency and Language


It's all Greek to me....

The two issues that cause the most confusion and embarrassment to travelers abroad are currency and language. The lack of understanding the currency and language of another country can result in awkward and confusing situations. For example, you can under tip someone who has done a real great service or overpay highly appearing either ostentatious or stupid. The worst is the ill-feeling or misunderstanding that you can get when having to make yourself understood by who someone who knows no more of your language than you do of theirs. In order to avoid these situations you must be prepared to fully understand the exchange rate and know a little bit of the language in order to avoid such mishaps.
Essence of Money

The rates of exchanging dollars for each country's currency will change from time to time. Travel bureaus and ticket agencies provide the current exchange rates for countries, you can also look up rates on the internet. It is wise to learn by heart the exchange rate for standard amounts as a quarter, a dollar and five dollars. The  rough equivalent of a quarter is still a standard tip for small services all over the world. Knowing the rates you will feel a lot more comfortable when bargaining. If you have to pull out a card to find the price and its equivalent sum in dollars you will most likely look foolish. In most Latin countries bargaining is part of the fun of making a sale. The customer usually holds the bargaining power, never pay the asking price, you will most likely ruin the day for the vendor and lose money that you could have saved. In most restaurants in Europe, there's a charge on the bill for service, fifteen percent or more, you don't tip an additional fifteen percent, but you should leave something. If there is no service charge, or a small one, leaving fifteen percent is the usual tip.


This could be daunting: it says "Light No Fire" with telephone number to fire department.

Language 

For years Americans have been criticized for their ignorance of the idioms of countries in which they not only travel, but sometimes live. Some people will tell you that it isn't necessary to speak a foreign language because "everyone in Europe speaks English," it simply is not so. Cities and areas in Europe that are not populated by tourists have millions of foreigners who neither speak nor understand one word of English. It is of great importance to know a few words of the idiom of whatever countries you are planning to visit and, second, of carrying a small pocket dictionary. There is no point of learning useless phrases but knowing a few much used words and phrases will eventually make you comfortable in speaking to foreigners. Here are a a few words and phrases that should be known when traveling abroad:

  • "Yes" and "No."
  • "Please" and "Thank you."  - Most important of all! 
  • "Hello,"" Good-bye," "Good morning," "Good evening," "Good night."
  • "How much?" "How much does it cost?"
  • "The check (or bill) please."
  • "Please speak slowly."
  • "I don't speak (whatever the language may be)"
  • "I don't understand."
  • "Where is ...?" and "How do you get to ...?"
  • "Lady's room" and "Men's room."
  • "More, please" and "No more, thank you."
  • "Beautiful," Wonderful," "Nice," "Kind," etc.  - these single words, said admiringly and with sincerity about the place or people you are visiting will warm the heart of even the most skeptical native
The best way to say the words or phrases are slowly and distinctly, using gestures if they are meaningful. Nothing pleases a native more than taking the time and making the effort to learn a little of their language. If we can all remember these tips for currency and language when we travel, we would be able to further friendships among all peoples. 

Posted by Eugene Vodovoz at 26 August 2011, 9:54 AM
Categories: Etiquette
Tags: currency sign language
 
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