Problem
I go to a new country. They are speaking about people I don't know who might be the speaker's father, the president or king or opposition leader - I have no idea. Shall I ask, or just say, "You tell me more"?
Answer
When I went to observe a course for aspiring London Guides in training, they were taught to carry index cards of spare facts and song words to fill in time if the coach was stuck in a traffic jam. That is an idea you and I and every traveller could copy, whether it's a business trip or holiday.
Even if you are just on a stopover. The person who gets on the plane and sits beside you for the next few hours could be from that country. You could ingratiate yourself and have a much more entertaining and informative time if you have some conversation openers.
Get a card and keep it in your right-hand pocket or the outside pocket of your bag (sew on a flap with a button or jip to be sure nothing falls out.
You might want to know:
The size of the country.
The time zone.
The capital. (Plus largest city if different.)
Population of the country. Any large minorities.
Main language. Other languages spoken.
Royal family currently or in previous years.
President or leader of current government.
Name of previous leader and opposition.
One, two or three heroes or heroines. eg
Politicians
Religious Leaders
Singers, entertainers
The current best selling book
The current widely shown film.
The national dish or dishes you should try.
The best restaurant.
Most popular non-alcoholic drink.
Favourite gifts or souvenirs to take home, or take to the coutnry.
The best value market.
The best department store.
The greatest success story.
Anything you must not do or say which would get you into trouble.
Their most successful sporting team or sports person.
Do they have a
football team,
rugby team,
baseball team
cricket team
choir
dance troupe
Landmark
Statue of local hero.
Head of the company you are visiting or the hotel group running the hotel where you are staying.
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.
I go to a new country. They are speaking about people I don't know who might be the speaker's father, the president or king or opposition leader - I have no idea. Shall I ask, or just say, "You tell me more"?
Answer
When I went to observe a course for aspiring London Guides in training, they were taught to carry index cards of spare facts and song words to fill in time if the coach was stuck in a traffic jam. That is an idea you and I and every traveller could copy, whether it's a business trip or holiday.
Even if you are just on a stopover. The person who gets on the plane and sits beside you for the next few hours could be from that country. You could ingratiate yourself and have a much more entertaining and informative time if you have some conversation openers.
Get a card and keep it in your right-hand pocket or the outside pocket of your bag (sew on a flap with a button or jip to be sure nothing falls out.
You might want to know:
The size of the country.
The time zone.
The capital. (Plus largest city if different.)
Population of the country. Any large minorities.
Main language. Other languages spoken.
Royal family currently or in previous years.
President or leader of current government.
Name of previous leader and opposition.
One, two or three heroes or heroines. eg
Politicians
Religious Leaders
Singers, entertainers
The current best selling book
The current widely shown film.
The national dish or dishes you should try.
The best restaurant.
Most popular non-alcoholic drink.
Favourite gifts or souvenirs to take home, or take to the coutnry.
The best value market.
The best department store.
The greatest success story.
Anything you must not do or say which would get you into trouble.
Their most successful sporting team or sports person.
Do they have a
football team,
rugby team,
baseball team
cricket team
choir
dance troupe
Landmark
Statue of local hero.
Head of the company you are visiting or the hotel group running the hotel where you are staying.
Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.
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