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I think you will be fine. I've been to a few European countries, and we never ran into someone who didn't know English, especially if you stay in the bigger cities. A lot of the schools there teach 3+ languages to their kids so they are fluent in many languages.
@MissAsB: Thanks :) I am probably just tramatized. I have some friends in Italy I met traveling years ago, so we could always go there...
I think most places in Western Europe should be fine. FI traveled throughout various countries in Western Europe on his own when he was younger without much knowledge of any language besides English and he was alright.
Maybe ask him if there's any language he'd like to learn the basics of before you go and then you could choose a destination where he could practice what he's learned (this way you won't have to do all the talking and he'll have learned something new). Perhaps you could learn a new language together :)
@cbee: I have travelled to many random places sadly knowing only English. Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Portugal, Japan, etc. I found that people spoke English basically everywhere. And I was travelling alone for most of these trips. I think Europe would be totally fine...Germany Switzerland, Italy...
@florence: Great idea! I know he would like to- that way it won't seem like I am being bossy or frustrated either, I will be patient and "let him practice" when we get there, a good reason to help him help himself (and us)!
@Stammie16: Good to hear. I have traveled too, but I have always needed to know a language, or maybe my worry-wort mind just thinks this way :)
Thanks for all the reinforcement! I am already getting over my worries now :)
I would say that anywhere (Eastern or Western Europe) would be fine. I have lived and worked in different parts of Europe and I have yet to be lost with my limited language skills. There is always someone who speaks English!
ETA: As I was writing this I realized that the first time I travelled on my own was to Czech Republic and Italy when I was 17.. that was 10 years ago! Feeling a little old...
FI and I went to Paris a couple of years ago. Both of us have plenty of years of Spanish under our belts, but only I had taken a bit of French in HS. FI had traveled before to Paris and several places in Italy, but I had never been to Europe/abroad. I was nervous, but glad to have a pretty basic knowledge of French...at least a enough to communicate slightly and read/interpret signs, etc. Luckily, my FI is a very take-charge person, and doesn't feel uncomfortable with a language barrier. He asked me several times to ask simple queries, but took it upon himself to figure out phrases with a phrasebook (even though he speaks French terribly hahah). What I'm getting at is...9.98 times out of 10, our standing-outside-the-cafe-to-practice-a-phrase was usually for naught, as every single person we ran into spoke English. We definitely encountered a few sour french people who refused to use English, but we knew enough to get basic info, etc. If he is aware that western Europe is very diverse in terms of languages, I'm sure he'd be more comfortable with being forward. I think another thing that gets travelers a long way is making an attempt at the language, no matter how basic or butchered. I think usually the native speakers would just rather communicate in English, rather than waste more of their time listening to someone stumble through a memorized phrase!
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I want to take a trip abroad with DH. I have traveled extensively and he has not. I want to go to Europe with DH to give him that experience before we think about starting a family.
So, how do I explain? DH is not my ideal travel partner. He (bless his heart is a sweet and wonderful person but) is not very aware and not very street smart. I am not sure how else to say it. We went to South America and I was the only one who spoke the entire time and I was responsible for everything. If there is a taxi to be gotten, I am the one who has to do it and the one who has to talk to everyone...
The thing is we had a bad experience that is not really DH's fault in South America, but I was the only one who could speak Spanish and it was incredibly stressful. We got held in customs and interogated and I just do not want to have to go through that again (I know it can happen)- maybe I just need to have a good talk with DH about taking charge... I guess I am just tramatized.
Do you have an suggestions to make this easier? Should we consider a Med. Cruise? Or just an English-speaking country? I want to do something stress free- we have never had a vacation- they end up being "adventures".... which is fine, but I want a nice relaxed time and I do not want to have to worry about DH getting hit by a taxi or tricked and robbed.
Perhaps I am just over-analyzing and we will be fine....?