A world traveller has shared a series of words and phrases that he believes are crucial for tourists to know when they travel abroad.
Mark Wolters, who shares travel tips with his more than one million subscribers on the Wolters World YouTube channel, produces videos on everywhere from Russia to Japan.
In a recent video, titled ‘5 Words That Can Save Your Life & Your Travels Abroad’, Mark was filming in Innsbruck, Austria, where he spoke about a recent question that he’d received from a viewer.
They asked Mark how important it was to know the local languages of the countries you visit, whether fluency is key or whether a few words would suffice. It led the YouTuber to share a list of basic phrases and words that he thinks every tourist should know.
Mark said: “Look, I know no one’s going to get fluent in a language before a vacation, no matter how many Babbels and language videos you watch.”
He added: “So, here’s the words that I really find can make a difference no matter where you go to ingratiate yourself with the locals.”
1. Please and thank you
Mark said it’s important to ensure that you know the “polite” words because they “get people in a better mood”. He said please and thank you are two you should always know.
He explained that thank you in particular was the one most important thing to learn before you travel, but please is also “very nice”.
2. Yes and No
The YouTuber said yes and no are important to learn for your own safety, highlighting that common gestures like shaking your head for no may not mean the same thing as they do in your own country.
3. Hello
Mark highlighted the importance of this common phrase because it’s not simply used when you interact with an individual but is also used in shops and restaurants.
He also mentioned the advantages of offering a greeting when you enter somewhere, noting that, in France, you should say ‘bonjour’ or you could be considered “rude”.
4. Bye
Similar to hello, Mark said it’s also important to know how to say goodbye, but he often uses a simpler version such as ‘ciao’.
5. Help
He explained that it’s useful to know the word for help when you need assistance from a police officer, for example, when you’ve become the victim of a pickpocket.
Mark added that it means they will be “already ahead of themselves” and will know you require assistance.
6. Toilet and Where is?
Finally, pointing out that travelling can have an impact on your stomach, he said it’s worth knowing the word for toilet and the phrase that asks for directions to the facilities.