Creature Comforts Abroad – good, bad or plain ugly?

We were interested to read an article this week in The Independent, which suggested that British holidaymakers should not expect their home comforts when holidaying abroad and that they need to drastically rethink their mind set.  Equally, the article suggested that foreign tourism boards also need to stop catering to people who simply refuse to step outside of their comfort zone.

The reality is, many British travellers are guilty of this syndrome.  It’s the fear of the unknown; anything different puts the fear of god into many of us.  It’s probably the reason why countries like Spain and France are still amongst the most popular holiday destinations with Brits.  As long as we’re just hopping over the channel and not going too far afield, we can rest safe in the knowledge that if we want to eat a good old ‘English breakfast’ or indulge in the safety of foods and brands we recognise, we can (not to mention talk to the locals, because hopefully most of them will speak English).  It’s all about home comforts, feeling safe and secure.  But that goes against everything that foreign travel is supposed to be about.  It should be about exploration, adventure, new experiences and diverse cultures.

Instead of worrying about whether somewhere will be different to our own country we should be embracing this.  Trying to fit in with the local environment wherever you travel is a key element of travelling.  So too, is the exposure to new ideas, greater perspective and a desire to challenge the way you normally think.

So why are the great British public so keen to take their own culture with them when they go on holiday abroad?  As the article goes on to mention, holidaying in popular ex-pat destinations like Spain has become increasingly like visiting a sunnier Britain with no need to utter a word of Spanish.  Probably true.  Will it change? I doubt it.

On that note, we’ll leave you with the thoughts of Telegraph journalist Jem Collins:

“If your cultural values are so rigid you refuse to accept anything other than Earl Grey and fish & chips perhaps you should rethink your choice of holiday destination. I’ve heard that Devon is quite British…”

Holidaying abroad: fun in the sun or daylight robbery?

As expected at this time of year, the last few weeks have seen many headlines connected with summer holidays abroad as we Brits lay down our towels on the sun beds and prepare for a week or two of fun in the sun.  For the most part, that’s what we expect and that’s what happens.  But stories of Brits falling ill or becoming injured abroad have left many of us concerned and bewildered as we learn that some hospitals overseas are turning people away who don’t have adequate travel insurance, or indeed are stitching people up with huge medical bills which they were completely unprepared for.

 

Being unable to speak the language doesn’t help either.  It’s also fair to say that in some cases, the ability to communicate at the point of needing medical care/an operation could well give the British traveller a greater sense of control of the situation, or at least give them the information they need to make an informed decision on whether to proceed with treatment or seek further advice before they are presented with a fat invoice.

But extortionate medical bills are only part of the story; there are many more ways that language-phobic Brits could find themselves being unwittingly ripped off this summer.  Problems with language barriers could also lead to being ripped off by a local taxi driver, ordering the wrong meal in an expensive restaurant or even being over-charged for goods in a shop - if you can’t communicate, you’re at an immediate disadvantage and it also means you’re an ideal target for rip-off tactics.

How can you avoid this?  There are no guarantees you can, but doing your research and ensuring you’re better-prepared than usual for any trips abroad this year and beyond is a good place to start.  Learn a few local phrases in advance of taking a holiday, take a good phrasebook, have your wits about you at all times and use your instincts – if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.  If necessary, use an experienced interpreter to communicate on your behalf should the need arise; and remember that communication is power.

Car problems abroad?

The number of Brit holidaymakers who plan to take their car abroad over the next 12 months has apparently increased by a third in just three years, according to new research this week from Sainsbury’s Bank car insurance.  The report claims that around 8.5 million Brits plan to drive abroad this year despite the probability that many will inadvertently break the law if they don’t know the rules of the road in the country they are visiting.

 

Researching and understanding some of the common road signs is quite important if you plan on driving in an unfamiliar country.  Many of the signs are quite different to the UK versions and can be confusing for the occasional traveller.  Of course, researching some of the local phrases of the country you are visiting is also worth doing if you hope to understand what certain signs say – they won’t all include imagery, some will be text only and if you can’t read the language this could cause problems such as getting lost, taking a wrong turn and driving onto dangerous/hazardous roads or even misunderstanding warnings about the environment/wildlife etc.

Motorists should also be aware that countries have different legal requirements in terms of what a motorist should carry in their car too – so it is always best to look this up before you start your journey

Of course, when you take your car abroad, there are some situations that you can’t plan for quite so easily.  What if you breakdown, have an accident or need road-side assistance?  Even worse, what if you need to call the emergency services?  Do you even know what number to call?  Could you explain to a breakdown recovery company what has happened to your car and where they should pick you up?  You may be lucky enough to be connected to someone who has a good understanding of English, but this may not always be the case. 

Always ensure your accident/emergency road-side cover is up to date, but also prepare for the worst too – imagine being stuck in an unknown location, unable to communicate in the local language.  What could you do in advance to prepare or make your life that little bit easier should such a situation arise?  Yes, you can research some phrases, you could even make sure you have access to a personal telephone interpreting service should you need to speak to someone who doesn’t speak English, and you could ensure your car is kitted out correctly with emergency supplies. Remember, you can’t just pop home if an issue occurs.  You might have the most reliable car in the world, but what’s the bet it chooses your foreign holiday location as the prime time to roll to a halt?

Making the ‘leap’ towards a new life overseas

We noticed an interesting article in the Daily Telegraph (4 July) which looks at the many aspects associated with starting a new life abroad.  The article goes on to say that an increasing number of Britons are choosing to leave UK shores and head off for an adventure overseas in search of higher wages and a better quality of life.  Surely this can’t just be down to the poor English Summer we’ve been having of late?

Research has shown that the majority of people (58%) make the choice to move abroad for work-related reasons.  Yet surprisingly just under half of these actually have a job to go to, suggesting that moving abroad is as much about the idea of exploration, new life chapters and perhaps unpredictable changes, as it is about stability?  Other main reasons for moving abroad are retirement and buying property.  The most popular destination is Australia closely followed by New Zealand; the comfort of English-spoken countries can provide a much-needed ‘blanket of security’ at a time of upheaval, but equally we may be missing out on many other incredible destinations if we allow language barriers to hold us back.

Recent headlines show that the job market in the UK is improving but on the flipside 7 in 10 expats have found that they can earn more money working abroad so it’s no wonder the allure of overseas destinations is becoming more appealing to us Brits.  But amidst all the excitement of starting a new life in another country, The Telegraph does well to remind us that it is vital to be well-informed about your chosen destination before you make the decision to live there.  Gaining insight and advice from those who have previously lived abroad is invaluable.  It’s not just enough to take a short holiday somewhere and decide it’s the place for you because living somewhere, is very different to taking a holiday there. 

You want to ensure that you settle into your new life quickly and easily, whether than means considering local schools if you have children, health care, visas, language and cultural diversity and more.  Making the right choice is essential as mistakes can prove costly not just from a financial perspective but from an emotional one too – moving to a new country is a big step so researching the ins and outs is critical.

9,999 FREE annual subscriptions to personal telephone interpreting service i-interpret4u – yes, really…

In celebration of the summer holiday season (now in full swing), i-interpret4u has allocated a whopping 9,999 FREE annual subscriptions which are now available to take advantage of via its latest Twitter campaign.

It’s very easy to ensure you don’t miss out on the ability to communicate in 85 different languages wherever you are in the world, and at the very point you need to.  Simply search for i-interpret4u on Twitter (www.twitter.com) @iinterpret4u, hit the ‘follow’ button and retweet (RT) any of the FREE subscription ‘tweets’ which you will find on our tweets home page.  It’s as simple as that.  Following this, you’ll receive your unique account number and access code via a direct message, including a web link to register your account.

There is nothing to pay for your FREE annual subscription that is worth a generous £10 each, the next 9,999 people to register online at www.i-interpret4u.co.uk with their unique account number and access code, will find themselves in possession of this great summer travel offer.

We expect this promotion to be very popular as this new service will provide travellers with the ideal ‘language buddy’ for their foreign travels for the next 12 months – so don’t delay, follow us today.

Happy holidays!

About i-interpret4u (www.i-interpret4u.co.uk)

i-interpret4u provides an easy to use, personal telephone interpreting service for those facing a language barrier whilst living, travelling or doing business overseas.  The service connects users to live, qualified and highly experienced interpreters in 85 languages, 24/7, often in less than one minute. When face-to-face with a non-English speaker the service can be used from a landline or mobile using a speakerphone, or, by passing the handset back and forth.  i-interpret4u can also assist users in setting up a three-way call to a non-English speaker worldwide.

 

A range of pay plans are available to suit individual needs, calls are charged by the second for the time that the interpreter is on the line and an entry level subscription of ten pounds will allow users access to the service. Smart phone users can also access the service and manage their account via the free iPhone or Android app.