You've learned so many foreign languages for travel, so why do you still feel 'tongue-tied' when you go abroad?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation like this?

To travel to Japan, you diligently practised "Sumimasen" (Excuse me/Sorry) and "Kore o kudasai" (Please give me this) for several weeks. You embarked on your trip full of anticipation, eager to put your newfound language skills to the test.

And what happened? In the restaurant, you pointed at the menu, nervously squeezing out a few words, but the waiter just smiled and replied to you in fluent English. In the shop, as soon as you opened your mouth, the salesperson pulled out a calculator and communicated entirely with gestures.

At that moment, you felt all your efforts were in vain, like a deflated balloon. Despite learning a foreign language, why do you still become 'tongue-tied' when you go abroad?

The problem isn't that you didn't try hard enough, but rather – you picked up the wrong "key" from the very beginning.

What you're holding is a "hotel room key card," not a "universal city key."

Imagine this: all those phrases you learned like "Hello," "Thank you," "How much is this?", "Where is the restroom?"... they are like a hotel room key card.

This card is very useful. It can help you open doors, check in, and solve the most basic survival problems. But its function is limited to that. You cannot use it to open a door to the hearts of locals, nor can you use it to unlock the city's true charm.

Transactional language can only lead to transactional interactions. The other person just wants to quickly complete the service, while you just want to solve a problem. There's no spark between you, no connection, and certainly no real communication.

So how can you truly make the most of a city and strike up conversations with locals?

You need a "universal city key."

This key isn't about more complex grammar or advanced vocabulary. It's a completely new way of thinking: switching from "completing tasks" to "sharing feelings."

How to create your "universal city key"?

The core of this key lies in "feeling words" that can evoke resonance and open conversations. They are simple, universal, yet full of magic.

Forget those lengthy sentence structures; start with these words instead:

Evaluating Food: Delicious! / Not good? / Too spicy! / Quite unique!
Commenting on things: So beautiful! / How cute! / How interesting! / So cool!
Describing Weather: So hot! / So cold! / Lovely weather!

Next time, when you taste amazing food at a small shop, don't just bury your head in eating, then pay and leave. Try smiling at the owner and saying, "This is really delicious!" You might get a bright smile in return, or even an interesting story about the dish.

When you see a stunning painting in an art gallery, you can quietly exclaim to someone nearby, "It's so beautiful." Perhaps that can open a conversation about art.

This is the power of the "universal key." It's not about "requesting" information ("Excuse me, may I ask...?"), but about "giving" praise and sharing your feelings. It shows that you're not just a hurried tourist, but rather a traveller who genuinely experiences the place and moment.

Master three tricks to make your "key" more effective:

Actively create opportunities, rather than passively waiting. Don't always flock to places with the most tourists. Those places usually default to English for efficiency. Try turning into a lane or two, find a cafe or small restaurant frequented by locals. In these places, people's pace is slower, their mindset is more relaxed, and they are more willing to chat with you.
Like a detective, read everything around you. Immersive learning isn't just about listening and speaking. Street signs, restaurant menus, supermarket packaging, subway advertisements... these are all free, authentic reading materials. Challenge yourself to first guess what they mean, then confirm with a tool.
Embrace your "broken foreign language" – it's charming! No one expects your pronunciation to be as perfect as a local's. In fact, your accent and stuttering when speaking a foreign language can seem more sincere and endearing. A kind smile, combined with a bit of "clumsy" effort, can bridge distances more effectively than fluent but cold language. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; your effort itself is a charm.

Of course, even with a "universal key," you'll always encounter moments when you get stuck — not understanding the other person's reply, or not being able to think of that crucial word.

At such times, a good tool can help you keep the conversation flowing smoothly. For example, a chat app like Intent. It has powerful AI translation features built-in. When you get stuck, you don't have to awkwardly pull out a heavy dictionary; just quickly type on your phone, and it can translate instantly, allowing the conversation to continue naturally. It can help you fill language gaps, making you more confident in building connections.

https://intent.app/

So, before your next trip, don't just focus on packing your bags. Remember to craft a "universal city key" for yourself.

Shift your focus from "survival" to "connection," from "transaction" to "sharing."

You'll discover that the most beautiful scenery in travel isn't just in the attractions, but more so in every moment of connection with people.