Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Most people recognize and appreciate any sincere attempt to connect with them, and sometimes your effort alone can spark one of those special moments when we recognize each other's shared humanity. Risk looking goofy. Even with no common language, rudimentary communication is easy. Butcher the language if you must, but communicate.
When all else fails, a notepad can work wonders. Words and numbers are much easier to understand when they're written rather than spoken (especially if you're mispronouncing them). Google Translate is also a great tool to translates speech, handwriting, and images containing text, such as signs.
And rest assured that any place trying to separate tourists from their money will always find a way to explain how to spend it.
Visit ricksteves.com for more information about this destination and other destinations in Europe.
*Check out more Rick Steves’ Europe travel resources:*
• “Rick Steves’ Europe” public television series: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show
• “Travel with Rick Steves” public radio program: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio
• European tours: ricksteves.com/tours
• Guidebooks: store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks
• Travel gear: store.ricksteves.com/shop
• Travel classes: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks
• Rick Steves Audio Europe app: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe
Rick Steves, America's most respected authority on European travel, writes European travel guidebooks, and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.
Most people recognize and appreciate any sincere attempt to connect with them, and sometimes your effort alone can spark one of those special moments when we recognize each other's shared humanity. Risk looking goofy. Even with no common language, rudimentary communication is easy. Butcher the language if you must, but communicate.
When all else fails, a notepad can work wonders. Words and numbers are much easier to understand when they're written rather than spoken (especially if you're mispronouncing them). Google Translate is also a great tool to translates speech, handwriting, and images containing text, such as signs.
And rest assured that any place trying to separate tourists from their money will always find a way to explain how to spend it.
Visit ricksteves.com for more information about this destination and other destinations in Europe.
*Check out more Rick Steves’ Europe travel resources:*
• “Rick Steves’ Europe” public television series: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/tv-show
• “Travel with Rick Steves” public radio program: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/radio
• European tours: ricksteves.com/tours
• Guidebooks: store.ricksteves.com/shop/guidebooks
• Travel gear: store.ricksteves.com/shop
• Travel classes: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/video/travel-talks
• Rick Steves Audio Europe app: ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe
Rick Steves, America's most respected authority on European travel, writes European travel guidebooks, and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.
