Ou ét la cash point?

A language barrier can make for some tricky situations when holidaying abroad.
 
Research from AA Financial Services reveals that one in five (20%) has had a ‘lost in translation’ moment on holiday. That could be because 14% admit to having no idea how to speak the language of the country they’re visiting. Another 15% know a few key phrases and 8% rely on school taught language.
 
But one in nine (11%) doesn’t think there’s any need to speak another language because everybody speaks English.
 
The research also shows that less than half are confident about conversing in a foreign language in a shop (41%) and in a restaurant (37%) and less than a quarter (22%) are comfortable asking for directions.
 
Mark Huggins, Managing Director of AA Financial Servicessaid: “It can be challenging, not to mention a bit embarrassing when you’re trying to speak to somebody and neither of you can understand each other.
 
“It can be particularly difficult if you need help with something important – such as when you’re paying for something or asking where you can withdraw cash or change money.
 
“You’ll often find that a little effort goes a long way, so if you try to converse with somebody in a language they understand it’ll most likely be appreciated. It will likely be more helpful than the ‘speaking louder and pointing’ tactic.”
 
Unsurprisingly, fairly recent school-leavers (18-24 year olds) are most likely to speak another language, while respondents over 45 are most likely to think that everyone understands English.
 
The AA’s Euro and Worldwide Travel Currency Cards offer a universal language when it comes to managing travel money in a secure and convenient way whilst abroad. The cards, which have been awarded a five star rating by Moneyfacts, are accepted at over 35million retailers showing the MasterCard symbol worldwide.
 
Mr Huggins points out: “The MasterCard symbol is widely recognised and it is likely to be understood that the customer wants to pay by card if they show it to the retailer.”