Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with locals

How to continue the fun in Oahu

omnigut — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:49:16 -0800

Oahu filter: If you could only hike once, where would you go; where would you buy tiki objects to bring back with you (some sort of cross between cheap and beautiful?); and is tonight, 08/08/08, special in Chinatown? So I'm going hiking tomorrow or Sunday, I need to buy some tiki presents for some people in New York (not really wanting to spend more than $40 on each one, less if possible), and I would like to go out tonight.

Previously I posted this question. Update; I almost killed the new guy in her life, but didn't. Came here, made this photo, and then had an amazing time going from Smith's, to Amy's, to O'Toole's, back to Smith's, to Bar 35, across the road to the Golden Gate Lounge (against the advice of many), then onto the bus to fall asleep outside the dreadful Señor Frog's. A good night. Repeat tonight?

How to drink in Oahu without meeting tourists

omnigut — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:31:31 -0800

HawaiiFi: I'm going to Oahu for a week after just getting dumped by the local Hawaiian girl I was meant to go with. I wouldn't really go somewhere that touristy otherwise, and have no intention of surfing or going to hotel bars. What I would like, however, is an authentic local experience, in some seedy, out-of-the-way bar. Any suggestions? Got dumped ten days before going out to meet her family. Was supposed to go to the brother's wedding, before and after which she'd have taken me out to her favorite places in town. The plane tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

So, looking for the experience she might have shown me: I'm not looking for a one-night stand, so "seedy," not "sleezy," please. Actually, any bar that is mostly locals would be best, but it'd probably be best if it was low-key.

Also, I've heard (off her) that Hawaiians like to fight, and they don't like tourists, especially not at the local watering holes. If I drink, I don't want to be constantly worried about fists; I'm already worrying about my liver. Is she correct?

Language Learning for Lonewolves?

qvantamon — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 10:16:36 -0800

What is the most efficient way to learn the native language of a country while traveling there on your own? My friend gone from beginner to fluent in Italian in about a month in Italy, but his situation was very favourable: He was in a church community oriented to dialogue and integration, living with foreigners, working, and having a lot of social interaction with Italian as lingua franca.

What I want to know is: in the lone backpacker situation, not previously knowing anyone around, and with no organized group activity, how to maximize social interaction in the local language? Staying in a hotel and watch TV all day won't do it, and placing orders in restaurants is not enough.

Is it better to stay in the same city/hostel or vagabond around all the country? (consider a country like France, Italy or Germany, with lots of dialects)
Is it common for groups of lone backpackers staying in the same hostel to band together and talk in the local language? (most cross-language interaction I've seen in hostels has been in english instead of the local language)
Is there some protocol for traveling people to meet local slackers to talk and walk around? (If you know a place to do this, in any country, please list it)
For someone with beginner knowledge of the language, is it smart to take a course about some subject (not about the language) just to meet people?
How about using some local relationship site to setup casual dates?