Travel Tip # 74

When in Doubt, Speak French

When travelling, you will be approached by someone trying to sell you something.

It’s a fact. Get used to it.

You’re going to be approached for everything from taxi rides and massages, to pirated DVDs and “massages”.

And while 99% of the people will leave you alone with a polite “no thank you”, there will be the other 1% who will persist and follow you and continue talking to you in the hope of wearing you down into a sale.

So what do you do?

Well to start, don’t get upset.

Don’t get angry. Don’t tell them off. Don’t yell.

You’ll only come off looking bad.

It doesn’t matter how much you think you’re being harassed, to everyone else it’ll look like their compatriot was just trying to make a sale and “the ignorant foreigner went overboard”.

And you know what?

They’ll be right.

The bottom line is they’re just trying to make a living and hawking is part of the game. Whether you want to believe it or not, as a tourist you’re very wealthy by the local standards and money from you can make a huge difference to their livelihood. So when the opportunity of a “good sale” is presented to them, of course they’re going to go the extra mile to try and make it happen.

Instead, keep your composure, be firm and when in doubt, speak French.

Seriously.

When someone approaches you with a tacky souvenir and you smile, say “no thank you” in their first language (this is key) and they then continue with “Where are you from? Where are you going? America? Canada? England?”, just speak French.

It’s very simple.

All you have to do is politely shake your head, pause and then struggle to say “no English. French?”

If you can do a French accent, great!

If you can throw in a few French words - “est-ce vous parlez Francais?” - even better!!!

English may not be their first language, but a lot of people around the world know enough of it to be able to carry on a conversation in order to do business.

But French? Well that’s a different story.

Instead, chances are they’ll stop, politely smile and then leave you alone.

No one gets offended. No one’s feelings are hurt. It’s a communication breakdown, plain and simple.

And it doesn’t have to be just French. Feel free to try it with any other language you may know… Spanish… German… Dutch… whatever.

The point is it’s a simple trick to ensure everyone leaves with their dignity.

Finally, grade 9 French is good for something.