<p>So, I was working in Russia and my host advised me not to bother to learn Russian. He said that anyway, with 5 Russian words I could get by just fine, and one of the words was “not-cheap-enough”.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, he refused to tell me the other four! What do YOU think they would be? </p>
<p>Or what five would you consider most essential?</p>
<p>Please, thanks, bathroom, help, phone. </p>
<p>At least for traveling :)</p>
<p>Restroom! Water. Please. Phone. Hotel.</p>
<p>No. Understand. You. Speak. English?</p>
<p>(Sign language works pretty well if you’re desperate.)</p>
<p>Know how to read the word EXIT.</p>
<p>And if you don’t want to look look like a doofus everytime you approach a door, learn to read PUSH and PULL</p>
<p>I have doofus down pat, here in the U.S.</p>
<p>I don’t think I could pick just five. Yes, no, please, thank you, sorry/excuse me, help, bathroom, how much…I could act out drinking water or using a phone, but I’d rather not act out the need for a bathroom!</p>
<p>Water. Help. Thank you. Food. Toilet.</p>
<p>This reminds me of some fun free apps on my iphone, by World Nomads.
[Travel</a> Insurance Online - Travel Safely with World Nomads](<a href=“http://www.worldnomads.com/]Travel”>http://www.worldnomads.com/)
There is how to ask for a hotel in Greek, or a taxi in Spanish.
You can learn how to say " those arent my drugs! ", in German or Vietnamese, but not in Arabic or Turkish.</p>
<p>A good friend of mine made it through most of Asia, South America and Europe by learning this phrase in various languages, “Lets all speak English please”</p>
<p>I’ve had good experiences w free translation apps u can download to your phone/device.</p>
<p>But I cannot overemphasize the importance of recognizing the written word for EXIT, especially in countries that don’t use a latin alphabet (e.g., Japan). Your life could depend on it.</p>