Got to be one of the silliest questions ever
January 2, 2011 7:46 AM Subscribe
Newbie travel question: How to navigate when you don't know the language?
So a happy followup to my last question: My boyfriend and I just wrapped up a wonderful week in Rome! Through some unforeseen circumstances (details not important) I will be here two days longer than him. (He left earlier today.)
He is fluent in Italian so I didn't bother to learn even any rudimentary phrases. I'm sure this question is laughable to experienced travelers but this is the first time I've been to a foreign country that isn't Canada or Mexico (with a boyfriend fluent in Spanish). I feel stupid asking this question because I've seen plenty of English here, heard staff in restaurants and stores speak it, and seen other tourists around who clearly don't know Italian (or English either in some cases.) But how do I get from point A to point B? How do you start out? Should I point and use gestures? I wouldn't dare just start speaking English unless it was someone I was very sure would know it, like airline staff. Even if I learn a few phases, it will become clear with anything they say that I don't understand...how do I react?
I want to enjoy my time here and do some things we didn't get to do, like eating some yummy gelatto and going shoe shopping (the boots here are amazing!) but navigating the language barrier to do so is making me feel very anxious and stupid.
So a happy followup to my last question: My boyfriend and I just wrapped up a wonderful week in Rome! Through some unforeseen circumstances (details not important) I will be here two days longer than him. (He left earlier today.)
He is fluent in Italian so I didn't bother to learn even any rudimentary phrases. I'm sure this question is laughable to experienced travelers but this is the first time I've been to a foreign country that isn't Canada or Mexico (with a boyfriend fluent in Spanish). I feel stupid asking this question because I've seen plenty of English here, heard staff in restaurants and stores speak it, and seen other tourists around who clearly don't know Italian (or English either in some cases.) But how do I get from point A to point B? How do you start out? Should I point and use gestures? I wouldn't dare just start speaking English unless it was someone I was very sure would know it, like airline staff. Even if I learn a few phases, it will become clear with anything they say that I don't understand...how do I react?
I want to enjoy my time here and do some things we didn't get to do, like eating some yummy gelatto and going shoe shopping (the boots here are amazing!) but navigating the language barrier to do so is making me feel very anxious and stupid.
Buy an Italian-English phrase book. Just being able to recognize the key words on menus will be a tremendous help. My husband and I spent a week in Tunisia, where English is not even a second language for most people, and we got by fine by knowing a few key words and using hand signals.
posted by something something at 7:56 AM on January 2, 2011
posted by something something at 7:56 AM on January 2, 2011
A week in Rome and you haven't had a gelato?! Alas, I fear you are lost.
However, you should have no problem getting around the city. Lots of people speak English and are usually happy to help. The concierge at your hotel will be happy to direct you anywhere you want to go (he likely speaks passable English). Also at your hotel, there will be plenty of pamphlets and maps that will direct you to all the attractions. Even non-English speakers can point out directions on maps. Finally, don't sweat it. Getting lost and having adventures is half the fun.
posted by txmon at 8:00 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
However, you should have no problem getting around the city. Lots of people speak English and are usually happy to help. The concierge at your hotel will be happy to direct you anywhere you want to go (he likely speaks passable English). Also at your hotel, there will be plenty of pamphlets and maps that will direct you to all the attractions. Even non-English speakers can point out directions on maps. Finally, don't sweat it. Getting lost and having adventures is half the fun.
posted by txmon at 8:00 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Handwavy, prevalence of English, and the phrases in the phrasebook section of your Lonely Planet guidebook (what, you don't have one? get one!) will be more than enough to get you by. You'll pic up a bit within the first few hours and have a great time. I also nowadays tend to download a dictionary onto my iphone.
On speaking English versus pointing and gesturing: When I was in Vienna a few months ago, I found a tasty looking sausage stand and pulled out my phone dictionary, scrolling through it trying to translate the sign. This took me a while. The sausage vendor stared at me the whole time, then eventually cracked up and said in perfect English: "I will tell you what they are!"
Point being, show some effort, and then people will generally help you manage the rest of the way.
posted by Eshkol at 8:03 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
On speaking English versus pointing and gesturing: When I was in Vienna a few months ago, I found a tasty looking sausage stand and pulled out my phone dictionary, scrolling through it trying to translate the sign. This took me a while. The sausage vendor stared at me the whole time, then eventually cracked up and said in perfect English: "I will tell you what they are!"
Point being, show some effort, and then people will generally help you manage the rest of the way.
posted by Eshkol at 8:03 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Learn the phrase "do you speak English?" and don't ask anyone older than 50 for help and you'll get along fine.
posted by griphus at 8:04 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by griphus at 8:04 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Although, the phrases-out-of-a-phrasebook thing is a much more suggestible route if you really want to learn something. However, prepare for locals to wait for you to horribly butcher their language for a few moments before revealing that they can speak yours. Why? Because it is hilarious.
posted by griphus at 8:06 AM on January 2, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by griphus at 8:06 AM on January 2, 2011 [5 favorites]
I visited Italy and found that hotel concierges were generally happy to direct you to places and mark them on maps for you, and generally spoke sufficient English.
In shops and on the street, what worked for me was using Italian "hello", "excuse me", "I'm sorry, I don't speak Italian", "Do you speak English", and "I'm lost" with lots of pointing at maps, or "I'm looking for" + pointing to a piece of paper with the names of tourist attractions, train stations, bus routes, restaurants, street names that you would like directions to.
People will often start speaking English anyway in the middle of such an encounter, but if not, you having tried a couple of basic phrases usually generates plenty of good will.
If you find a phrase book that has phonetic pronunciation in it, that will help somewhat. As a last resort, you can always point at the phrase in the phrasebook that you are trying to say!
When your interlocutor responds in fluent Italian, somehow expecting you to understand, just pull out a map and trying to get him/her to pinpoint (a) where you are, and (b) where you want to go.
posted by lollusc at 8:07 AM on January 2, 2011
In shops and on the street, what worked for me was using Italian "hello", "excuse me", "I'm sorry, I don't speak Italian", "Do you speak English", and "I'm lost" with lots of pointing at maps, or "I'm looking for" + pointing to a piece of paper with the names of tourist attractions, train stations, bus routes, restaurants, street names that you would like directions to.
People will often start speaking English anyway in the middle of such an encounter, but if not, you having tried a couple of basic phrases usually generates plenty of good will.
If you find a phrase book that has phonetic pronunciation in it, that will help somewhat. As a last resort, you can always point at the phrase in the phrasebook that you are trying to say!
When your interlocutor responds in fluent Italian, somehow expecting you to understand, just pull out a map and trying to get him/her to pinpoint (a) where you are, and (b) where you want to go.
posted by lollusc at 8:07 AM on January 2, 2011
For most kinds of information in Rome just dial 060606 and ask for the English-speaking operator.
posted by aqsakal at 8:09 AM on January 2, 2011
posted by aqsakal at 8:09 AM on January 2, 2011
You don't really need to know the language to understand subway systems. Just look at the map, and find 3 things 1. Where you are 2. Where you want to go 3. The end of the line.
Then find the subway heading in the direction of the end of the line. (I have no idea if Rome has a subway system, apologies if they don't)
I figured most people aren't too upset by me asking in English when it means i'll be buying something from the shop. It's Rome, they are certainly used to travelers. Don't worry and have fun!
posted by raccoon409 at 8:11 AM on January 2, 2011
Then find the subway heading in the direction of the end of the line. (I have no idea if Rome has a subway system, apologies if they don't)
I figured most people aren't too upset by me asking in English when it means i'll be buying something from the shop. It's Rome, they are certainly used to travelers. Don't worry and have fun!
posted by raccoon409 at 8:11 AM on January 2, 2011
I found that Rome was full of Italians (and other foreingners) who speak English very well. In fact, it seemed to be the one place I visited in Italy where my amateur Italian wasn't much appreciated. Have fun!
posted by amanda at 8:22 AM on January 2, 2011
posted by amanda at 8:22 AM on January 2, 2011
As a pretty antisocial person I am a master at getting around without ever speaking to anyone unless I absolutely can't help it. In fact I'm a bit baffled why someone would need to rely on strangers to navigate a city like Rome.
Learn to read a map. Seriously. I did Rome without using public transport at all (only to get to/from the airport) and never asking anyone for directions.
And yeah, as people have said above, the subway system in Rome is really simple as well.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 8:22 AM on January 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Learn to read a map. Seriously. I did Rome without using public transport at all (only to get to/from the airport) and never asking anyone for directions.
And yeah, as people have said above, the subway system in Rome is really simple as well.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 8:22 AM on January 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Just smile a lot and be cheerful and polite. Most people are happy to be helpful and used to tourists who don't speak Italian, especially in a big tourist city like Rome. I got around Italy with basically only the following phrases: bongiorno, parla inglese, per favore and grazi. It's ok to point out what you want. I did eventually learn some more words (mostly food and drinks and how to count) by asking people what the Italian word for things were. You will make mistakes but don't worry about it. What's the worst that could happen? Ok, I did once accidentally order liver but it turned out to be good.
Ordering the gelatto is dead easy. It has a picture (or an actual fruit) on it so you know what flavor it is.
posted by interplanetjanet at 8:30 AM on January 2, 2011
Ordering the gelatto is dead easy. It has a picture (or an actual fruit) on it so you know what flavor it is.
posted by interplanetjanet at 8:30 AM on January 2, 2011
Response by poster: ClarissaWAM: I know how to read a map, thank you, and I've been navigating both the city and the subway system all week just fine. I gave two specific examples in my question of things I'd like to do that require talking to people. They did not involve navigation. Please read the question before you respond.
posted by unannihilated at 8:32 AM on January 2, 2011
posted by unannihilated at 8:32 AM on January 2, 2011
I'm lost= mi sono persa
Where is....= dove e'.....
I would like to go....= vorrei andare a ....
Where would I buy the shoes you are wearing?= dove hai comprato quelle scarpe?
The suggestion of asking the concierge is excellent: they are gods, not humans!
Most tourist attractions sell maps of Rome, with subways and bus route marked. You buy bus tickets at small tobacco shops, all indicated with a T signs. Carabinieri (the police) are very helpful, but not everyone speaks english. Try to remember what side of the Tiber your hotel is located: it will be helpful in returning to it.
Really, you do not need public transportation a lot: even St. Peter to the Fori Imperiali is doable, if a bit long.
posted by francesca too at 8:34 AM on January 2, 2011
Where is....= dove e'.....
I would like to go....= vorrei andare a ....
Where would I buy the shoes you are wearing?= dove hai comprato quelle scarpe?
The suggestion of asking the concierge is excellent: they are gods, not humans!
Most tourist attractions sell maps of Rome, with subways and bus route marked. You buy bus tickets at small tobacco shops, all indicated with a T signs. Carabinieri (the police) are very helpful, but not everyone speaks english. Try to remember what side of the Tiber your hotel is located: it will be helpful in returning to it.
Really, you do not need public transportation a lot: even St. Peter to the Fori Imperiali is doable, if a bit long.
posted by francesca too at 8:34 AM on January 2, 2011
Best answer: Another thing is context; both you and the people you're interacting with have a sense of the context. If you walk up to a guy in a shoe shop with an awesome boot in your hand and a piece of paper with 37 1/2 (or whatever your European shoe size is) written on it, I'm quite sure he'll check in the back and see if they carry that boot in your size, regardless of his English level.
Similarly, catching the waiter's eye at the end of a meal and making a gesture like you're writing on your left palm will get you the bill, rather than, say, the waiter's long-unfinished draft of the Great Italian Novel.
Keep a sense of humour; I've always found people were glad to help me if it was clear that I knew it was my fault that I couldn't speak with them, and that the whole situation was a little silly. A few pleasantries and lots of "thank you"s helps smooth the way.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 8:37 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Similarly, catching the waiter's eye at the end of a meal and making a gesture like you're writing on your left palm will get you the bill, rather than, say, the waiter's long-unfinished draft of the Great Italian Novel.
Keep a sense of humour; I've always found people were glad to help me if it was clear that I knew it was my fault that I couldn't speak with them, and that the whole situation was a little silly. A few pleasantries and lots of "thank you"s helps smooth the way.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 8:37 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Please read the question before you respond.
One of your questions was:
But how do I get from point A to point B?
to which "learn how to read a map" is a very valid answer.
posted by frobozz at 8:48 AM on January 2, 2011 [4 favorites]
One of your questions was:
But how do I get from point A to point B?
to which "learn how to read a map" is a very valid answer.
posted by frobozz at 8:48 AM on January 2, 2011 [4 favorites]
memorise the words for
"please"
"thank you"
and
"excuse me"
this worked for us in Slovakia, where many people do not speak English. But you can communicate a great deal with those words.
posted by jb at 8:49 AM on January 2, 2011
"please"
"thank you"
and
"excuse me"
this worked for us in Slovakia, where many people do not speak English. But you can communicate a great deal with those words.
posted by jb at 8:49 AM on January 2, 2011
But how do I get from point A to point B?
I was in Barcelona with a group of friends; none of us spoke Spanish (or Catalan), and we didn't always have luck finding people who spoke English or French. We got sort-of lost one day, looking for a museum, so we stopped someone on the street, pointed at the map we had, said the name of the museum we wanted to find, and made "Where is it?" gestures/facial expressions. Three or four other passers-by got involved in this and there followed a hilarious body-language-lots-of-pointing discussion about how to get where we wanted to go from where we were. We got there fine.
You asked how to get from point A to point B and ClarissaWAM quite reasonably suggested using a map; you didn't mention in your question that you're already using one and can navigate just fine. So there's some understandable confusion there.
posted by rtha at 8:57 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
I was in Barcelona with a group of friends; none of us spoke Spanish (or Catalan), and we didn't always have luck finding people who spoke English or French. We got sort-of lost one day, looking for a museum, so we stopped someone on the street, pointed at the map we had, said the name of the museum we wanted to find, and made "Where is it?" gestures/facial expressions. Three or four other passers-by got involved in this and there followed a hilarious body-language-lots-of-pointing discussion about how to get where we wanted to go from where we were. We got there fine.
You asked how to get from point A to point B and ClarissaWAM quite reasonably suggested using a map; you didn't mention in your question that you're already using one and can navigate just fine. So there's some understandable confusion there.
posted by rtha at 8:57 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Frobozz: I meant how do I get from Point A to Point B situationally, in the context of what I was describing. How do you go from walking in off the street to potentially having a conversation with someone in English. I really think I know what I wanted when I asked the question.
Thanks to those of you who have given helpful answers so far!
posted by unannihilated at 8:59 AM on January 2, 2011
Thanks to those of you who have given helpful answers so far!
posted by unannihilated at 8:59 AM on January 2, 2011
"I wouldn't dare just start speaking English unless it was someone I was very sure would know it"
Why not? And you can't be sure by just looking at the person, so asking "Do you speak English?" is the appropriate starting point for your interactions. As others have said, most people will speak English or can direct you to someone who does.
posted by tetralix at 9:11 AM on January 2, 2011
Why not? And you can't be sure by just looking at the person, so asking "Do you speak English?" is the appropriate starting point for your interactions. As others have said, most people will speak English or can direct you to someone who does.
posted by tetralix at 9:11 AM on January 2, 2011
If you learn just one phrase in Roman — "may I have a cup of coffee please" = "per piachere poss' haver' un cafe" then for anything else "Excuse me, do you speak English?" = "Scusi, parli inglesi?" will get you around just fine in Rome.
posted by nicwolff at 9:18 AM on January 2, 2011
posted by nicwolff at 9:18 AM on January 2, 2011
Best answer: Learn the words excuse me, please and thank you (as jb says), become comfortable with pointing a lot (and wavy gestures left and right when it comes to gelato, though the names of the flavours should be on each box), and most importantly, smile.
Don't worry about asking if they speak English before you dive in, either they do and will switch, or they don't and you will do some more gesturing. As long as you are polite in your interactions it will be fine (ie don't start barreling on in complex English and be startled when they don't understand)
This works for almost any situation in almost any country. I've traveled in more than 30 countries and am very used to this method by now.
Having a native-language speaker crutch can often be a negative, as you've discovered. I speak Italian, some French, Spanish, Japanese and always mix up speaking duties with co-travelers so it's not one person relying on the other all the time.
posted by wingless_angel at 9:25 AM on January 2, 2011
Don't worry about asking if they speak English before you dive in, either they do and will switch, or they don't and you will do some more gesturing. As long as you are polite in your interactions it will be fine (ie don't start barreling on in complex English and be startled when they don't understand)
This works for almost any situation in almost any country. I've traveled in more than 30 countries and am very used to this method by now.
Having a native-language speaker crutch can often be a negative, as you've discovered. I speak Italian, some French, Spanish, Japanese and always mix up speaking duties with co-travelers so it's not one person relying on the other all the time.
posted by wingless_angel at 9:25 AM on January 2, 2011
And "I'm sorry, I don't speak Italian" = "Mi dispiace, non parlo italiano."
posted by nicwolff at 9:35 AM on January 2, 2011
posted by nicwolff at 9:35 AM on January 2, 2011
They did not involve navigation. Please read the question before you respond.
I did read the question, and that really wasn't very clear at all. Your front page question was "How to navigate when you don't know the language?"
So your rephrased question is, how do I start the conversation with someone in a shop where I am intending to buy something? Surely you just... ask? "Scusi, parla inglese" [formal you] should work fine. They want your money, they'll accomodate you.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 9:41 AM on January 2, 2011
I did read the question, and that really wasn't very clear at all. Your front page question was "How to navigate when you don't know the language?"
So your rephrased question is, how do I start the conversation with someone in a shop where I am intending to buy something? Surely you just... ask? "Scusi, parla inglese" [formal you] should work fine. They want your money, they'll accomodate you.
posted by ClarissaWAM at 9:41 AM on January 2, 2011
Just back from Rome 2 days ago after a 5 day "photo expedition", getting from point A to B is quite straightforward - walk? I have the crappy tourist map and so long as I found a main street, it was very straightforward.
Also, do you have a smartphone perhaps? Google maps is your friend! The metro services are very straightforward, again, you need a map.
I made it from Republic Square, Triton Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Popolo, Trevi Fountains, Panteon, Piazza Navona, the "cake", coloseum to Trastevere for my evening meal in one day, all on foot. And yes, my feet are still killing me.
I did not see much need to interact with the locals much apart from food, and then it is a very simple matter of pointing out what you want, they use a calculator, or the trattoria have those nifty weighing machines that total up your bill - or they give you your bill on a slip of paper.
posted by TrinsicWS at 9:59 AM on January 2, 2011
Also, do you have a smartphone perhaps? Google maps is your friend! The metro services are very straightforward, again, you need a map.
I made it from Republic Square, Triton Fountain, Spanish Steps, Piazza Popolo, Trevi Fountains, Panteon, Piazza Navona, the "cake", coloseum to Trastevere for my evening meal in one day, all on foot. And yes, my feet are still killing me.
I did not see much need to interact with the locals much apart from food, and then it is a very simple matter of pointing out what you want, they use a calculator, or the trattoria have those nifty weighing machines that total up your bill - or they give you your bill on a slip of paper.
posted by TrinsicWS at 9:59 AM on January 2, 2011
A general top when asking for directions in foreign countries: keep your questions closed - people like to appear helpful - and saying "yes" is often an easy way of doing this.
For example
Q: Is this the train for Turin?
A: Yes! Yes - of course!
but
Q: Which is the train for Turin?
A: The one over on platform 10.
posted by rongorongo at 10:01 AM on January 2, 2011
For example
Q: Is this the train for Turin?
A: Yes! Yes - of course!
but
Q: Which is the train for Turin?
A: The one over on platform 10.
posted by rongorongo at 10:01 AM on January 2, 2011
Best answer: After reading your clarification -
Here's how I've ordered gelato in Italy, as a speaker of Survival Italian (and eating gelato is one of the key experiences of survival in Italy!).
Buongiorno! (You know that one already, right?)
Uno piccolo gelato di lampone, per favore. (That's "one small raspberry gelato, please", roughly speaking. Grammar is not important here. Say it with a smile in case it's horribly rude not to start an order with "Please my dear sir, if it wouldn't be too much trouble I would kindly like..." or something.)
This is the part where the guy gets you some gelato. If you don't already know the flavors you like and what they are called (I never saw a gelateria that didn't have little signs identifying each flavor), you could always just point to something that looks interesting. I don't think I've ever had a gelato I didn't like.
OK, so you have your gelato. The dude says some numbers at you. This is most likely how much it costs. Ideally there will be a digital cash register which will display the total, but if not, you might need a crash course in numbers. However, if you look at the guy with the sort of dense touristic smile that says, "I have no idea what in the world you are talking about," he will probably write it down for you. Pay the man, again, with a smile because you've probably broken several rules of polite Italian society. But all in good fun, right?
Now you have gelato and the gelateria has your money and everyone is happy.
Here are some gelato flavors that will probably not be too hard for you to remember (which I stole from this handy webpage):
cioccolato - gee, I wonder what that means...
cioccolato al'SOMETHING - chocolate with another flavor added.
gianduia - chocolate + hazelnut, like nutella.
bacio - like the famous Perugia chocolates.
pistacchio - another obvious one.
nocciola - hazelnut
fragola - strawberry
lampone - raspberry
limone and melone - if you don't know what these are, you're probably in a lot more trouble than we can help you with.
There are obviously lots of other flavors, but from this point you're going to have to either give your brain a workout and think of what it might be, point and hope for the best, or just order something more comprehensible.
posted by Sara C. at 10:11 AM on January 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Here's how I've ordered gelato in Italy, as a speaker of Survival Italian (and eating gelato is one of the key experiences of survival in Italy!).
Buongiorno! (You know that one already, right?)
Uno piccolo gelato di lampone, per favore. (That's "one small raspberry gelato, please", roughly speaking. Grammar is not important here. Say it with a smile in case it's horribly rude not to start an order with "Please my dear sir, if it wouldn't be too much trouble I would kindly like..." or something.)
This is the part where the guy gets you some gelato. If you don't already know the flavors you like and what they are called (I never saw a gelateria that didn't have little signs identifying each flavor), you could always just point to something that looks interesting. I don't think I've ever had a gelato I didn't like.
OK, so you have your gelato. The dude says some numbers at you. This is most likely how much it costs. Ideally there will be a digital cash register which will display the total, but if not, you might need a crash course in numbers. However, if you look at the guy with the sort of dense touristic smile that says, "I have no idea what in the world you are talking about," he will probably write it down for you. Pay the man, again, with a smile because you've probably broken several rules of polite Italian society. But all in good fun, right?
Now you have gelato and the gelateria has your money and everyone is happy.
Here are some gelato flavors that will probably not be too hard for you to remember (which I stole from this handy webpage):
cioccolato - gee, I wonder what that means...
cioccolato al'SOMETHING - chocolate with another flavor added.
gianduia - chocolate + hazelnut, like nutella.
bacio - like the famous Perugia chocolates.
pistacchio - another obvious one.
nocciola - hazelnut
fragola - strawberry
lampone - raspberry
limone and melone - if you don't know what these are, you're probably in a lot more trouble than we can help you with.
There are obviously lots of other flavors, but from this point you're going to have to either give your brain a workout and think of what it might be, point and hope for the best, or just order something more comprehensible.
posted by Sara C. at 10:11 AM on January 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I've found the Italians are very forgiving about my lack of Italian. I speak no other languages, but I point and smile and gesture, and somehow, manage to buy shoes, food and extricate myself from getting lost. I think looking pleasant and humble is key, coupled with a good sense of humor. Please, thank you, where is the lavatory and how much are pretty good phrases to know. Dressing well is also a big plus (not expensively, but like you tried--Italians care about appearances, and looking scruffy but not artfully scruffy gets you ignored.)
San Crispino has the best gelato, although "yummy" is not a word I use.
posted by Ideefixe at 10:17 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
San Crispino has the best gelato, although "yummy" is not a word I use.
posted by Ideefixe at 10:17 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Mod note: few comments removed - please do not derail this question about navigation or who is irritated and why. Thank you and happy new year.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:20 AM on January 2, 2011
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:20 AM on January 2, 2011
Best answer: nthing phrase book (you can point at stuff in it even when you can't pronounce it convincingly). In languages other than Italian, my experiences with Lonely Planet phrase books are excellent, with Berlitz not so good.
I would recommend precisely the opposite to rongorongo: keep your questions open, rather than closed. If you think you're asking if this is the train to Turin they might say yes because they didn't understand, or because they want to be agreeable. It's better, in my book, to find some way for them to indicate the train themselves -- so if you can say "turin train?" or simply "turin?" and get them to point: you'll get more reliable answers this way.
posted by squishles at 10:54 AM on January 2, 2011
I would recommend precisely the opposite to rongorongo: keep your questions open, rather than closed. If you think you're asking if this is the train to Turin they might say yes because they didn't understand, or because they want to be agreeable. It's better, in my book, to find some way for them to indicate the train themselves -- so if you can say "turin train?" or simply "turin?" and get them to point: you'll get more reliable answers this way.
posted by squishles at 10:54 AM on January 2, 2011
In general, the answer is that you learn enough fo the language to navigate. It's easy it Italian if you have any exposure whatsoever to Romance languages. I managed it in China, though it took longer. This means getting a phrase book and learning, "Do you speak english?" and "How do you say..." immediately.
Another thing about Italy that makes it easier is if you speak Italianglish with what you think is a comical accent and wild gesticulation, then locals don't appear to realize you're not Italian and information apparently transfers though osmosis. That's how I got by anyway.
posted by cmoj at 11:06 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Another thing about Italy that makes it easier is if you speak Italianglish with what you think is a comical accent and wild gesticulation, then locals don't appear to realize you're not Italian and information apparently transfers though osmosis. That's how I got by anyway.
posted by cmoj at 11:06 AM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Sara C., thanks, that was exactly the kind of specific script I was looking for! The other best answers I thought gave good tips to make the whole thing go more smoothly or improvise for different situations. Thanks!
posted by unannihilated at 12:53 PM on January 2, 2011
posted by unannihilated at 12:53 PM on January 2, 2011
Best answer: This site implies that the whole thing is a little more complicated than I remember it being. If you are really anxious, it's an exhaustive guide to gelaterie.
But my above description certainly got me plenty of gelato while I was in Italy, so honestly it doesn't need to be all that complicated. The goal here is to obtain gelato, not to negotiate a treaty.
Rome is one of the few cities in this world where, honestly, it doesn't matter if you don't do it exactly right, as long as you do it with a sense of humor.
posted by Sara C. at 1:05 PM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
But my above description certainly got me plenty of gelato while I was in Italy, so honestly it doesn't need to be all that complicated. The goal here is to obtain gelato, not to negotiate a treaty.
Rome is one of the few cities in this world where, honestly, it doesn't matter if you don't do it exactly right, as long as you do it with a sense of humor.
posted by Sara C. at 1:05 PM on January 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks for the link. I know it's not like I have to argue a court case in Italian but for some reason situations like these make me really anxious, and I can't let that keep me from gelato!
posted by unannihilated at 1:18 PM on January 2, 2011
posted by unannihilated at 1:18 PM on January 2, 2011
I travel to a lot of places where I don't know any of the language. When asking for a train I usually point to the train and say "Turin?" with a hopeful/questioning look on my face. Then I would follow their directions/gestures and as a few more people along the way and finally confirm it with a conductor or person in uniform.
People are usually helpful and will go out of their way to make sure you are safe, especially a woman alone in Italy. I was once sitting on a train toward the South of Italy and someone asked where I was going in broken English I told them Naples and they told me I can't go there, that I should go to Almalfi instead. A man told me to follow him—we navigated onto a bus and he took me to a hostel in town and made sure I was taken care of. Writing that sounds like I acted foolishly and dangerously but it was daylight and I was in a populated area. Whenever I take risks like that and rely on the kindness of strangers I have the most unexpectantly wonderful experiences. Follow your gut and put yourself out there.
I have both bought gelato and bought shoes not speaking the language. You can say "hello" and "thank you" in Italian then point to the flavor you want and hold up one finger. They will figure it out. Point to the shoes in the window and if you know your European shoe size write it down or let them measure you. Again, if you give salespeople the most basic information they need they'll help you out from there. Try to go when the shops aren't too busy so you don't feel stressed or distracted during the ordering process. Have fun!
posted by Bunglegirl at 1:28 PM on January 2, 2011
People are usually helpful and will go out of their way to make sure you are safe, especially a woman alone in Italy. I was once sitting on a train toward the South of Italy and someone asked where I was going in broken English I told them Naples and they told me I can't go there, that I should go to Almalfi instead. A man told me to follow him—we navigated onto a bus and he took me to a hostel in town and made sure I was taken care of. Writing that sounds like I acted foolishly and dangerously but it was daylight and I was in a populated area. Whenever I take risks like that and rely on the kindness of strangers I have the most unexpectantly wonderful experiences. Follow your gut and put yourself out there.
I have both bought gelato and bought shoes not speaking the language. You can say "hello" and "thank you" in Italian then point to the flavor you want and hold up one finger. They will figure it out. Point to the shoes in the window and if you know your European shoe size write it down or let them measure you. Again, if you give salespeople the most basic information they need they'll help you out from there. Try to go when the shops aren't too busy so you don't feel stressed or distracted during the ordering process. Have fun!
posted by Bunglegirl at 1:28 PM on January 2, 2011
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posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 7:51 AM on January 2, 2011