Talking like a local on the road
We travel for many reasons: To escape, relax, learn, and have fun. Personally, I travel to meet and connect with people from other parts of the world. Through these interactions I have grown and changed in unimaginable ways. Just read my article on the Expedia Viewfinder about how one night in Paris changed the entire course of my life.
Whenever I travel, I have the specific goal to make local connections. And I’ve found that the key to making an impression is to show people you are making an effort to learn about their culture, that you have an interest in their ways of life.
One way to do this is to learn local colloquialisms, or slang. You don’t need to know many; a little will go a long way. And the options are endless. Talking to locals in their slang helps break the ice; when a local colloquialism comes out of a foreigner's mouth, it immediately produces curiosity and thus conversation. In short, talking like locals can help make local connections. Here are some phrases I've found useful in destinations all over the world.
Italy
In Italian, as in all languages, there are a lot of slang phrases that will make locals do double-takes. The one I use the most is the term, “Grazie Mille.” Grazie, in Italian, means, “Thank you.” Mille means, “a thousand.” Saying, “Grazie Mille,” is similar to saying, “Thanks a million,” but it is felt with a more playful expression of thanks. If you use it, be prepared for a reaction to your local savvy!
For more on Italian, check out this video I made getting an Italian lesson in Rome.
Hawaii
Most of us know the word, “Aloha,” as the Hawaiian greeting for hello and goodbye. But on a recent trip to Maui, I learned that Aloha means much more than that. The cultural adviser at the Grand Wailea explained to me that the complex and nuanced word of Aloha can be broken up into two parts: “Ha,” which means, “breath” or “life force,” and “Alo,” which refers to your physical being or physical presence.
So, Aloha means, “to be in the presence of another spiritual being and exchange breath.” Traditionally, when two Hawaiians meet and say, “Aloha,” they touch foreheads and literally breathe the same breathe. In this context, the word, “Aloha,” establishes a profound connection between two souls.
Now, I don’t suggest you go around greeting strangers by touching your forehead to theirs. At the very least, look into these peoples' eyes, register what it is they are saying, and send along positive energy in return. Local Hawaiians, both descendants from the islands and transplants from other places in the world, surely will appreciate your respect of the culture.
Viewfinder Tip: Studying up on local customs and greetings before taking an international trip will help you fit in on the ground.
France
France, and Paris in particular, has a reputation for being a tough place to connect with locals. Here more than almost anywhere, it's important to show the locals that you want to at least try to understand their way of life and that you appreciate their culture. If you do this, you will immediately feel a shift in the way you are treated.
To express the sentiment, “Yes,” or “I like that,” or “That works,” you can use any of the following terms: “Ca Marche” (Sah-Mar-Sh), “Ca Roule” (Sah-Wrool), or “Super” (Soup-Heir). Say them with a smile, and you’ll likely get one back.
Mexico
For a final example, Mexico also has a lot of fun phrases travelers can use to make a very basic vocabulary seem more sophisticated. For example, instead of saying, “Si,” for “Yes,” say, “Simon” (Sea-Moan). To be even more emphatic, you can say, “Simon-que-si” (Sea-Moan-Kay-Sea). I don’t doubt you’ll get a friendly chuckle in response.
For more on this topic, check out my video: Making a Good First Impression. Good luck!
What catchphrases and local slang have you found most helpful in your travels?