Do you think travellers should try to learn a few words of the local language?

A natural way to answer

I think it's worth it, yes. You don't need to be fluent, but learning a few basics shows respect and helps you get by. It often opens doors that you'd otherwise miss.

Key phrases to use

• go a long way — has a big positive effect; is very helpful“A little politeness goes a long way.”
• mess it up — do something wrong or badly“I tried to order in French and totally messed it up.”
• get by — manage to do something with what little you have“I can get by in Spanish with a few phrases.”
• break the ice — make people feel more relaxed when they first meet“A small joke helped break the ice.”
• make a fool of yourself — behave in a way that makes you look silly“I made a fool of myself ordering the wrong dish.”