Communication is a challenge for us because most of us speak only English. I speak only English. Nothing to brag about, but we speak the world's linguistic common denominator. Okay, if a Greek meets a Norwegian hiking up in the Alps, how do they communicate?

English! What Greek speaks Norwegian? I don't think it happens.

Now, don't just assume that people speak English. I think it's polite to ask, “Parlez-vous anglais?” and if they say no, I do my best in their language. Generally, after a couple of sentences, they’ll say, “actually, I do speak a little English.”

But you know, if they're going to speak your language, do them a favor and speak clearly. Speak what Voice of America calls “simple English.” No contractions, no slang. Internationally understood words. If my car is broken in Portugal, I point to the vehicle and say “auto kaput.” That would be understood, you know. I speak this way almost robotically for 100 days out of every year. When I return home, my friends say, “Rick, you can relax now. We speak English fluently.” Okay?

But listen to your friends and imagine trying to understand that. Assume the Europeans that you're talking to are reading your lips, wishing it was written down, hoping to see every letter as it tumbles out of your mouth.

You can communicate speaking English. I've been saying this for a generation, and since then a whole generation has grown up speaking better English than ever.

If you find young people, well-educated people in tourism, they're going to speak English, okay.

There's a whole chapter in my book called, “Hurdling the Language Barrier” that'll give you some tips on it. One thing: make educated guesses.

If you're not feeling well in Denmark, and you see a sign with a red cross on it pointing to the central sick house? Go get fixed up.

It's impressive to me how many Americans would bleed to death in the street corner looking for the word “hospital.” They've got different words for those things.