Which is worse, being an obvious foreigner but understanding the language or blending in but not knowing the language?
Posted by bumder9891@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 8 comments
For example, in Spain I blended right in as I look the same as the locals. Which made it really awkward when people spoke to me as I barely knew any of the language beyond basics.
Whereas in Thailand, I surprisingly picked up the language quite well and could understand a lot of what people said. But as an obvious non-Asian, the locals just assumed I was a tourist who knew nothing and it sometimes sucked when I could hear them talking about me, especially in less than pleasant ways
Previous_Repair8754@reddit
Not blending in visually and speaking the language is an absolute blast. People are always so delighted when you look like a tourist then suddenly bust out the local language, as polite as can be. I really enjoy it; it feels like a real sign of respect to the local culture, and in places where foreigners speaking the language is rare, people often laugh or clap and kids go wild.
Faith_Location_71@reddit
The former is better, for sure. I blend in, so I am told. I know enough of the local language to explain that I only understand a little. I don't find it awkward - actually people are incredibly sweet to me and between us we can communicate enough. If the locals see that you're trying in their language, they are generally very happy to help you. I'm getting better over time.
wornoutboots@reddit
Curious as to what were the less than pleasant things said. I personally rather know what's going on around me and stick out. I'm a person that blends in well in many countries. It's always awkward when I am spoken to in the local language. On my travels I've been spoken to in Hebrew, Spanish, Arabic, Italian, French, etc.
bumder9891@reddit (OP)
In Thailand (as a 30 something white male), I heard people talking about me regularly. For the most part it was just "look, there's a foreigner" or something to that tune.
The less savoury comments included "whoremonger", "dumb white buffalo" (a buffalo in Thai language is sort of an idiot/mug, kind of like we would say donkey in English) and even "I bet he's got diseases, those dirty foreigners always do". COVID was a really rough time to be a foreigner in any Asian country when xenophobia was at an all time high.
Out of every European country I've visited, the only one I was spoken to directly in English was Finland. As a 5,9 dark haired, brown eyed dude, I clearly didn't blend in with the 6ft+ blonde, blue eyed vikings in Finland. Every other place (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Hungary) I was just addressed in their language.
wornoutboots@reddit
Sorry that happened and thanks for sharing. I've noticed a lot of snickering in SEA when traveling but I don't speak enough of any of the languages to decipher what is being said. Hoping one day my Bahasa Melayu will be fluent enough.
wildpoinsettia@reddit
Better to know the language. It greatly enhances not only your day to day experience with the mundane things, but also, from my experience here in Japan, people are warmer to you when you speak their language.
VieneEliNvierno@reddit
Way way way better to understand the language. Is this even serious?
In your first example, people assume you know the language and then you disappoint them when you don’t.
In the second example, people assume you don’t know the language but then surprise them (in a good way) when you do.
CuriosTiger@reddit
Ignorance is not bliss. That's my stance here.