"Excuse me, where is the war?
Not false joint French: "Where is the station (war / translation Station)" in late May with a laugh, a laugh or a slap, depending on who you ask.
Only as a Lonely Planet guide, language tapes and a map can help when you travel. At some point, you may need to seek help. But who and how?
The helpfulness of the citizens of a nation in May prove as a drawcard as one of the seven wonders. Would you rather a smiley happy place or a place sneery snob? Olympic Cities train workers and citizens to be polite and help map-tangling tourists scratching their heads on street corners. But what about the other three years and other cities of the world?
My mother was recently in Switzerland for a touring bike, alone in the afternoon when it became lost and the map took on a dangerous highway. Managing to escape the truck quickly, she has finally found a train station should be countered by esoteric computer ticketing. Bursting into tears, the owner of the cafe next door came by and smiled, said "not Worry Lady 'and her have shown how to use the machine. Then a woman came and said she was in the same train and Mom show how to load his bike and when down. At the end of the journey, Mama and Maria had a discussion about things, and Mom was no longer the cursed too clever Swiss machinery and Michelin Maps.
Typical problems in the little yellow box that beeps
Fortunately, Mom has had the kindness of strangers and lived to tell the story. There are many reasons why travelers may need to seek help:
Lost: same cards can be difficult, particularly those provided by hotels where things may be distorted to make Hilton look like the center of the universe. And to find the nearest church as a point of reference is like finding the nearest store sex in King's Cross. Same without a map, based on "sense of direction" can be shaken by skyscrapers lag, jet lag and ready to confusion and lack of street signs.
Confused: Visitors to a foreign supermarket May wonder what those extra digits are the signs of fruit. The mystery is revealed that when entered in the register and be truncated, then, looking back along the queue to see exasperated buyers by highlighting its banana with a barcode label. Oh. Oops.
And do not forget the rail system in some European countries on the ticket is validated in yellow boxes. Ah, of course, What else are they for. But even the most obvious things are a matter of learning and knowledge.
Injuries: the slippery cobblestones and rainforest walks are a Band-Aid bombs. More serious accidents need help from others, like pulling a crazy monkey away from your hair as she tries to eat this sweet smell of fruit nectar hotel shampoo.
Looking to make friends: there are only so many nights that you can spend in a single room hotel, eating sardines and watching game shows bizarre. Sometimes breaking the ice with the local population may mean while pretending foregoing.
Who to contact
The people of the same age and sex than you. Think if you were a 18-year-old with a nose ring and black eyeliner, an Italian Nonna would show you where the picturesque 16th century convent was it? Better off asking the guys outside a gelateria goth (well, good luck finding that one … but you get the idea).
Officials. While they look relaxed, for example, they stroll along the Seine rather than deal Parisian riots, then put on your best tourist innocent look and ask.
Tourist staff. Enter a restaurant or hotel to host in May, they have a map and may even speak English. But be careful and try to follow Rule 1: Try to choose a location you look like you could afford, you could be a potential customer.
Who does not ask
It is Happyland and not all girls in bikinis walking on the walk to your hotel. Some people may take your vulnerability and exploit it, either by asking money or worse, steal … and worse. Stereotypical Russian mafia types and tattooed punks may be the nice guy, and instead, lingerie suited man Armani with a poodle in May actually be on Interpol's Most Wanted. But generally, if they look at you like dirt, or are too enthusiastic, not even asking no help. Do not even make eye contact.
How to apply
• Ask other people with around. This will discourage dangerous activities, and also may encourage them to ask others if they do not know.
• Have a plan loan or a pen and pencil so they can show / draw directions.
• Try to use as much language as possible. They appreciate the effort.
• Smile!
So next time you need help finding the station to avoid war and make some peace with the locals: the kindness foreigners depends on who and how you ask.
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