The one phrase you need to learn before travelling anywhere

If you’re heading somewhere that isn’t an English-speaking country, it’s always good to know a little bit of the local language in case you need to ask for directions, or order a meal at a restaurant, for example.

Most phrasebooks and travel guides put an emphasis on learning the basic phrases like ‘hello’, ‘goodbye’, ‘thank you’, ‘yes please’, and ‘where is the toilet?’, but there’s often one phrase we forget to learn that comes in handy in crucial moments.

From bartering in markets in Thailand to fending off unsolicited roses in the canals of Venice, a simple ‘no, thank you’ can get you out of a lot of sticky situations when overseas.

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It politely, yet firmly, lets people know you’re not interested in purchasing what they’re selling or that you’re simply not interested in what they’re offering.

Because the person you’re speaking to is hearing it in their own language, they’ll often appreciate the effort you’ve gone to learn the phrase, as well as the obvious fact they can’t pretend they don’t understand you.

Before you head overseas, make sure you learn how to say, ‘no, thank you’ – it’s a polite phrase to can use instead of a simple ‘no’ and it could help you in a tricky situation.

Has a simple ‘no, thank you’ come in handy when you’ve been travelling? Share your story in the comments below.