Written by Kim Bercaw
When communicating in foreign lands, what we say and what we mean to say are sometimes very different. But let’s face it: Inadvertently unleashing a family insult or silly comment isn’t quite as horrifying when you remember to pack your sense of humor.
I’ll never forget my first Australian rugby match. Not the game, mind you. Instead, I remember the seemingly effortless way I managed to lodge my foot in squarely in my mouth just moments after finding my seat. Hoping to make a little polite conversation with some locals, I confidently turned to the young man next to me and asked him which team he was “rooting for.” I quickly discovered the term has a very different meaning Down Under than it does in the States– a much more, ehem, salacious meaning, if you will. By the time the laughter had subsided, my face was as red as Uluru.
Truth be told, anyone with a Passport probably has a similar story to share. In an effort to spare us all future embarrassment, here are a few common spoken pitfalls that can be easily avoided:
“Sobo” sounds remarkably similar to a popular type of Japanese noodle, but be warned: the proper spelling is “soba.” The former means “to eat your grandma.”
“Estoy embarazado” may sound like you’re admitting embarrassment in Spanish, but you’re really stating that you’re pregnant. For fewer amused stares, try “Me da verguenza.”
“Caballero” or “gentleman” in Spanish, is a perfectly respectable moniker for a man. But one slip of the tongue and you might just call someone a “caballo,” or horse.
“Chin Chin” will surely inspire your peers to raise their glasses in Italy, but in Japan the phrase is used to describe one’s private parts.
The good news? If you make a mistake while trying to speak another language, most people will likely appreciate the effort as much as the hilarity of the faux pas.
For more examples of language blunders watch this entertaining video from the BBC.
Do you have any funny language slip stories? Share them in the comments section below.
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Most travelers are familiar with the strict luggage size regulations on major airlines and purchase luggage accordingly. When travelling abroad, however, you may be travelling with a less-familiar airline that has its own luggage rules and restrictions. For example, the limited cargo space on most flights taken while on safari in southern Africa restricts guests to carrying only soft-sided luggage with much smaller dimensions than the airlines we often fly with in the states. For those heading on an African safari, or any off-the-beaten-path adventure, we recommend the Eagle Creek No Matter What™ small duffel, with lockable zippers and a removable padded shoulder strap for simple and secure travel.
As the company tagline explains, Trunki makes “luggage for little people.” A Trunki is small enough to fit inside overhead bins on airplanes and large enough to hold the books, toys, snacks and change of clothes necessary for travel with small children. Most notably, the hard plastic luggage doubles as a wheeled cart on which tykes can ride when their little legs get tired, pulled by a special tow strap behind their parents. Trunkis come in a variety of personalities and colors, from Penelope the Princess Carriage to Freddie the Fire Engine, ensuring the luggage is something your child won’t want to leave behind.
A light jacket is a necessity for cool airplanes, early morning adventures and evening strolls, even in a warm environment. For women, Columbia Sportswear’s Women’s Fast Trek fleece jacket is the perfect weight for varied environments. The soft fleece jacket can double as a pillow on the plane, and its zipped pockets will ensure that even her smallest belongings don’t fall out. While the jacket comes in an array of colors, we recommend a neutral color to more easily match a variety of outfits, saving precious packing space for new purchases and souvenirs.
Teach your children the importance of giving this holiday season by donating to a worthy cause. One program we’ve supported for many years is Children in the Wilderness, an educational safari camp program in southern Africa. Children in the Wilderness brings together kids from local communities in southern Africa and teaches them about protecting their environment, the geology and geography of the region in which they live, arts and crafts, nutrition, health and HIV/AIDS prevention.
