Talk.
It isn’t easy for everyone to do, I know that. I am a natural extrovert so to tell you to “talk” is very easy for me to do. I also know a lot of introverts and this is one of life’s biggest challenges.
The whole point of vacation though is to do things that you don’t normally do. So to that I say, step out of your comfort zone and open your mouth. Just say “hi”. The chances of you ever seeing this person again is small, so you can make a fool out of yourself and no-one will care. You can fumble your words and say nonsense… yes they may laugh (with you or at you, your choice), but who cares? At the very least you will have made someone smile, and that in its self is not a bad thing.
If you want to really step out of your comfort zone, try speaking in their language. ASK them to teach you a couple of phrases, don’t just fumble through like you already know, unless you do.
The easiest way to ‘talk’ is to ask questions. So go ahead and ask… what is your favorite restaurant around? Where would you go if you only had an hour? What is worth seeing in this town? Anything you want to know, just make it an open ended question… it’s hard to carry on a conversation with ‘yes/no’ answers. Then see where it leads.
Can’t do that. Open your mouth and give them a genuine complement. It may not start a conversation, but you would be spreading joy with words and that is never a bad thing. The best thing about this… you don’t have to stop to give it. You can say; “great shoes” and keep on walking. You’ve stepped out of you comfort zone and they feel good about themselves. Win Win Win if you ask me.
