Local knowledge is perhaps the most central element in any journey into the cultural unknown. The people who live in the places we visit are the best compass to the local culture, Those who make the tastes, smells, music, art, beliefs, and customs. They are the gatekeepers of the priceless local knowledge collected over the generations.
One of the main obstacles standing our way is the language barrier. We will never be able to know all the local languages and dialects, and there is a massive difference between a journey to a country where you can speak the language and a journey to a country you don't.
After an improvised conversation, I was invited to taste the soon-to-be-served lunch. Huay Pu Keng, Thailand.
Therefore, one of the things I make sure to do as early as possible is to learn some essential local words. knowing when and how to use them will: reduce the gap between you and the locals, enrich your experience, encourage close encounters and, allow you to step even deeper into the local culture.
Here they are in a list:
Hello.
Good morning/good afternoon/good evening (in many places, Hallo is enough and said at all hours of the day).
Thank you.
Please.
Sorry.
Bon appetite (good eating).
You are very beautiful (relaxes the tension when asking to take pictures of people).
Goodbye.
How much does it cost?
How do you say...?
It was delicious.
This short and basic list doesn't aspire to replace in-depth language studies. But mastering these words will allow you to get closer and show the locals that you are not only a sightseer but someone who is sincerely and appreciatively trying to get to know them and their culture.
*In more in-depth expeditions, we sometimes have an interpreter, but in most of our independent journeys, it is just us and our honest attempt to communicate.
***
Join my journeys on patreon