When we travel, curiosity drives us to discover the unknown — flavors, landscapes, customs. But often, we forget that one of the greatest gestures of respect we can offer is to learn, at the very least, the basics of the language spoken where we’re going. While for many Americans speaking another language is seen as something extraordinary, true empowerment when traveling comes from embracing linguistic diversity, not expecting the entire world to speak English.
I’ve read dozens of reviews from travelers who complain that a restaurant “doesn’t deserve more stars” because the staff speaks little English. This stems from an implicit mindset: “I travel, you adapt to me.” But the real question we should be asking is: why should people in the countries we visit have to learn our language, while we don’t bother to learn theirs?
Just 10 or 15 phrases — hello, how are you, thank you, excuse me, how much is it, where is…? — can completely change the experience. It not only opens doors but sends a message of respect, intention, and humility. We’re not asking everyone to be bilingual—we’re asking ourselves to make the minimum effort to integrate.
New US visa fee at $250: Where is the world's welcome?
