When you travel to a non-English speaking country, do you make any effort to learn and speak their language, or just rely on the people there knowing enough of your language?

Just speak louder in your native language.  That's what most people do.

how very American of you Erik!  I honestly try to pick up at least the basics because if you try most people will get a kick out of out of you botching their language and will help you out

Just kidding.  Driving around Northern Italy and Switzerland folks were very helpful if you tried to speak Italian. My phrasebook got worn out in my back pocket.  Fortunately in Switzerland they speak German, my second language, it was heaps easier.  That was 15 years ago and I've since added French and Spanish to my language basket, though not nearly as fluent as my German, which I learned as a youngster and kept up since.

@Erik, the Swiss speak a disgusting version of German (is it Switzer-Deustch?)

Anyway, I try and learn as much of that country's language before I go over. It's common courtesy, and they smile to show that you've actually attempted to speak their language. Us Brits are arrogant, if a foreigner does not understand us, we will just speak louder and slower.

I was recently in New South Wales. The language barrier was difficult to overcome at first but I eventually got the gist of it.

HEY!!!!

LOL

I could have been your translator

Ruski, I'm surprised you weren't held in detention at Villawood.  We can't just let anybody in down here.

On my first trip to Europe I found EVERYONE in every country extremely helpful with only one exception.

As a bilingual speaker of English and Latin I found that German, Dutch, French speakers (and selections thereof found in Switzerland) all went out of their way to help someone struggling with anything.  Trying to get directions from almost anyone in London was a quite different story.  Even the official "information" booth in Victoria was less than helpful... ("Which way to Belgrave Road, please" was responded to with a curt "Out the door. NEXT" response from the *!@^$* at Victoria station.... not too helpful for a new arrivee with luggage at hand with 6 separate exit doors leading to perhaps 20 different connecting streets) ...

I compare this experience to the tram driver in Amsterdam that walked half a city block so he could point out the exact address we were looking for, the stranger in Frankfurt who jumped off a train platform, across two sets of tracks, and up onto the platform we were standing on because he noticed that we looked lost as we were surveying the transit map on our platform, to the Italian couple at the table beside us in Florence that translated menu entries from us as they noticed that my Latin wasn't helping that much with the modern Italian... and countless other similar experiences.

Meanwhile, he Australians are extremely helpful I've found but they speak the strangest language of all.... the words sound like English but the meanings??? That is another story.

I had a good experience in Italy as well.  There weren't that many english speakers, but folks were patient as I fumbled with the phrase book and generally mangled their language.  The Italian part of Switzerland was easier, as they spoke and understood my second language, German, although my accent and theirs was almost mutually unintelligible.

I heard some speak Swiss-german and it sounded really ugly, but they are very nice people (anybody is nicerthan the english unfortuantely)

I used to work in the UK a few years ago, and found nearly everybody to be nice and helpful.  Certainly no ruder than the folks back home in the USA.  Driving in the UK is a pleasure compared to the USA and Australia as folks actually understand the concept of "Slower Traffic Keep Left (or Right in USA)" and whilst they drive fast it's pretty disciplined.

Agreed ... I loved driving in the UK too for that exact reason.

And in response to Bric's post, I've generally found most people have been very helpful everywhere I've been. But then I'm not in the habit of asking people for help unless I've absolutely 100% exhausted all options of being able to help myself. e.g. Victoria Station's entrances are plastered with local area maps which would've listed Belgrave Road (since it's only 1 block away).

I indicated it was my first trip, Lexiphanic,  I don't believe that in 1976 they were at every exit.

I knew Belgrave was only a short distance away and I just needed to know which exit to head to from the concourse area - so even a response that there was a map at the wall exit would have served my needs if such was the case. However, rather than be helpful, the  official information booth employee made a conscious decision to be rude to someone asking a simple question.

Ah. Well, my apologies! I missed the remark that it was almost 30 years ago.

Most unfortunate! Transport for London have updated their policies since, from my experience. It's very likely too many people were experiencing what you experienced.

Certainly I've had much better experiences in my trips in the last decade (the air in London is a lot easier to breathe than in the mid '70s as well) although with that said, I'd note I haven't been asking my way about nearly as much with all the trips under my belt

I should also note that even with my experience back then I would have said that the transport system in London was incredible in its breadth, depth and frequency of service on both the buses and the underground.... and what can you say about one of the most remarkable cab systems anywhere. Getting about in London is a visitors dream compared to many places I've visited over the years.

London Transport is amazing. I miss it most of all. Moreso now that I live in Australia where public transport is relatively rubbish.

Helsinki's public transport is fairly wonderful with the trams (made in Australia!) and Copenhagen's new underground metro is swanky.

Oh and Moscow's Metro system is just spectacular. There's a reason that people conduct tours just of the metro system!

in Australia where public transport is relatively rubbish

How are those Surfside buses going? LOL.

Hahaha... It's pathetic isn't it?

I still get surprised when I see a bus in this town. 

Transport in Germany is fantastic, you can go anywhere in Baden-Wurttemberg for €26, which is valid for 6 weeks. Buses, trams and trains included. Where as it costs me £4 to get to town and back here in England

To be fair, within central Brisbane it's not tooooo bad but it could be better. The trains, ferries and buses all run under one ticketing and pricing system which transfers between transportation methods. It could be either a little cheaper or more frequent, though... like every 15 minutes instead of every 35 minutes.

Yeah it could be both, but as usual we'd cop it on the rates bill for the next hundred years.

Most services are at a 15 min frequency during the peak.

Yeah but I rarely travel at peak times. Damnit if I can get a bus in London every 8 minutes in off-peak periods (every 4 minutes in peak) within Zones 1 & 2, I want it here! 

What you need is a chauffeur

I'd like one also

Need a job or suitable income for that first. Damn mature-age student lifestyle! 

Anyway, weren't we talking about languages?

I currently would like to learn: Japanese, Danish, Icelandic and French.

I currently can speak: Australian English and British English (trust me, there's a difference). 

I know a little Japanese from what I learned in school. My Danish and Icelandic are almost non-existent. I picked up small amounts of French thanks to an ex-girlfriend who is Canadian and a couple of holidays to Paris and Brussels. 

I can speak Queenslandish

Im going to learn "English English"

Wait... you're in England now. What do you speak currently?

LOL! I wanna know too!

@Bricolour.  You almost certainly wouldn't have had that problem in London if you visited recently.  It's hard enough to find someone who speaks English never mind someone to get assistance from.  Although the maps are good.

I currently speak English, but "English English" is basically cockney rhyming slang

I can speak, American- English, working on Aussie English, French, Hebrew, and Fijian (not really a language I use very often)

Last time I was in the UK was 2005 - my biggest problem was second day syndrome... I thought I had put that one behind me years and years ago!

Let's not forget about New Zealand Ungleesh.

all I know about Kiwis is that they mumble way more than Aussies