The only three words you need to travel abroad

I was about to step out of Eglise Saint Nicolas des Champs in Paris when I heard a voice. “Excusez-moi, est-ce que vous parlez français?” 

The French woman approaching me smiled and held what looked like a gift-wrapped book in her hands. “Bonjour,” I greeted her, then told her in French that I don’t speak French very well, just a few words (at least I think I did, ha). She looked at the gift and frowned. “I want to give you a gift, but it is written in French,” she said in English. Of course I was instantly curious. “If I don’t understand, I can always translate with an app,” I assured her. “Okay,” she replied, pressing the gift toward me. As we parted ways, I hugged her and said, “Merci beaucoup.” (Nailed it!)

Later, I opened the gift to find not a book, but a framed print of Psalm 37 written in French. I snapped a photo, pushed translate, and saw these words appear: “Make the Lord your delight, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Instant tears. The woman from the church couldn’t have known all the reasons why this verse, given to me on that day in that church, would feel like God had personally embraced me. Language was no barrier to one of the most meaningful connections of my life.  

This story captures what I, as a frequent traveler to places I can't speak the language, have come to believe is the most important principle of communication: shared humanity. And you can make this connection with only three little words: hello, please, thank you. 

This is not because learning language more doesn't matter, but because these three words are intrinsically relational and respectful. They change you from a tourist to a guest. Before I ask for directions, order lunch, or need something, “hello” acknowledges a fellow human person. “Please” recognizes that another’s service is a gift, not an obligation. “Thank you” honors the sacrifices great and small that someone offers on our behalf. 

Prepping for travel, many of us frantically try to memorize vocab words or cram lists of “50 phrases for (fill in the blank destination).” I get the impulse—nobody wants to stand in a crowded boulangerie pointing helplessly at a croissant. But I have found that far more important than fluency is respect. 

P.S. Pro tip: Use your long flight to practice hello, please, thank you in the language of wherever you’re headed. (Mental image to enjoy: me on a flight to Krakow whispering Dziękuję, Dzień dobry, Proszę.) 

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