Ive actually experienced something similar while I was abroad, Lisa told us.
He had no idea I could understand every word because I stayed quiet the whole time, she recalled.
But things took a turn when the driver began insulting her for being a foreigner.
Lisa decided to keep her composure until the end of the ride.
He was completely caught off guard that I not only understood him but could respond perfectly, she said.
While the encounter was amusing to her, it also served as an important reminder.
They can hurt people or lead to unpleasant situations.
So my advice: be polite and friendly to others, no matter if they understand you or not.
One of her favorite things about learning new languages is connecting with the cultures behind them.
She finds idioms and untranslatable expressions particularly fascinating.
For example, the Portuguese wordSaudadeexpresses a feeling of longing, melancholy, or nostalgia, Lisa shared.
Or the German wordFernweh, which describes being homesick for a place youve never been.
Many recommend speaking from day one, and Lisa agrees its a good approach.
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