Act the Talk(Body Language is the Key)

When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Traveling is so fun, but it gets tough when the language barrier sets in. English is the universal language, but many European and Asian countries do not know how to speak and understand English. What do you do when the locals don’t understand a word you’re saying? Simple…don’t use words. Yes folks, just like how the song goes, “you say it best, when you say nothing at all”. Use the facial expressions and your hands to convey your thoughts.

It’s a lot easier than scouring the English-(other language) dictionary all the time.

When you want to ask for a restaurant, or say that you’re hungry, you can either pat your stomach or open your mouth and let your hand do the eating stroke. When asking for time, simply tap your wrist. When you want to respond “I don’t know”, just shrug your shoulders and perhaps raise your eyebrows. Ask “Which way?” without saying a word by pointing your fingers in opposite directions with an asking look. “How much?” can be interpreted by rubbing the thumb and fingers together. When you want to express that you want just “a little”, just put the thumb and finger close together. And say “Oops!” by placing the hands close to the mouth and with eyes wide open.

Lastly, nothing beats the effect of a good SMILE. Universally, it communicates something positive, and you’ll get positivity in return. Of course it helps to learn a few foreign words that are most basic to your destination. Enjoy!