Every time I visit a country that English is not the language spoken I learn (try) how to say 'thank you' used in the country I'm in. I find that people appreciate my efforts, even the not so good ones. In Croatia especially, every time I said Hlava the smiles widened and the service seemed friendlier. In Dubrovnik the girl at the supermarket I went to every day made a point of acknowledging me after my first visit.
So ....
Germany - Danke Sehr
Austria - Danke Sehr
Croatia - Hvala
Hungary - Koszonjuk (I can't put the dots over the o's and u - nor could I bring the photo through)
Czech Republic - Dekuji
Thank you to everyone who has shown us where to go to find our hotels, who've given me a smile, who've just been plain darned nice and kind and friendly. You've made our trip special.
What do you think? Is Thank You important? Or is it getting lost in the rush and hum drum of life?
Fab photos, Sue! It looks as if you're having a wonderful time. And like you I always think it's important to know how to say 'please' and 'thank you' in the language of wherever I am. People should always be thanked for their kindness. :-)
ReplyDeleteWe're having a fab time, Michelle. I agree re thanking people, it's so easy and gets great rewards.
DeleteI love the photos and the opportunity to see thank you in other langues. Is it getting lost...I think it is. But I was brought up to say it and mean it. I work in a hospital where we sometimes forget there are people other than doctors and nurses that keep it running. I love to see the bright smiles I get when I say thank you to the housekeepers who clean my office, the landscapers and maintenance people who keep our parking garage clean, the food workers in our food court and others in non-clinical jobs. I've made lots of friends over the years I've worked there...some whose names I know, many with names I don't know. I do know I'm greeted with a smile and a hello by a lot of people which prompted a co-worker to ask if knew everyone!
ReplyDeleteSo keep the thank you's coming please!....
Now, I want to say a big thank you for your wonderful books...I look forward to reading and re-reading them.
Wow, big thank you to you, Rita. Thrilled that you enjoy my stories. I've come up with on set in Croatia after our time and experiences there.
DeleteHi Sue,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you're having a fabulous trip! Lots of inspiration for future stories!
As for thank you and please - definitely still important. As you say, others appreciate it and it makes me feel good too, to show my thanks!
Hi Annie. At least two story ideas already. We're having a great time, but the trip is nearing the end and soon we'll beheading down under to the winter cold.
DeleteGreat post, Sue and lovely to see your photos. I absolutely think it's important to say please and thank you and try to do it whenever I possibly can (and even in other languages if I can manage it!)
ReplyDeleteGlad you like it, Louisa. And yes, it's so good to be able to show appreciation, even if only with a word or three.
DeleteLoving those pics, Sue and the ones on your FB page!
ReplyDeleteI learn please/thank you and hello/goodbye or good morning/afternoon etc in whatever language is spoken in the country I'm in - that's only polite.
I loved saying Kalimera (good morning) in Greece last year - the locals absolutely beamed when you greeted them like that :-)
I'm holding back on the pics, Amy. Got loads. Isn't is special when the locals beam at you for trying to speak their language? We got two extra bottles of wine on the French train this morning because I spoke in not very good French. Can't complain about that.
DeleteFab post Sue. I think thank you is important and also part of common courtesy. To some degree, I think that thank you is getting lost, but I could say the same of most manners.
ReplyDeleteI also believe what you are saying about friendlier service. From what I've heard from a friend who grew up in the UK, people in some parts of Europe are happier to help you in English if you make an effort to try to use their language first but don't react well if you resort to English first. (Apparently has something to do with some travellers, often from a certain nation, travelling with an attitude that everyone should speak English)
You're bang on, Lyn. It's rude to expect everyone to know English if we don't at least try to speak theirs. I've had nothing but smiles and extra help every time.
DeleteHi Sue
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your trip with us I have been thoroughly enjoying them on Facebook and for me Thank You is very important and always will be along with smiles :)
Have Fun
Helen
Wow - it looks like an amazing trip, Sue. I'm with you - thank you so important. I alway try to learn please, thank you and goodbye.
ReplyDelete