Patatas bravas, but at what cost?
Photograph: Graham TurnerYou may have read recently about the £85 luxury sandwich on sale in Selfridges, London, but paying the same price for patatas bravas in Torremolinos seems a tad excessive. Still, for many Brits abroad, that could be the cost of not learning the language, according to a top linguist.
Professor Tim Connell, director of language studies at London's City University, says many British holidaymakers are being charged an "idiot tax" and need to step out of their linguistic bubble in order avoid being ripped off.
"Charging premium price for anything from taxi rides to excursions to produce at local markets is common," he says, but adds that "it can take just a few minutes a day to pick up essential words and phrases, which can make the difference between spending too much and possibly saving money".
So next time you're on foreign shores, here are a few of the professor's pointers: give yourself plenty of time to learn; practise for five minutes every day; find friendly locals to talk to (as suggested in our language lesson podcasts); and use a phrasebook (especially one with a CD).
Oh, and whatever you do, always read the foreign side of a menu first, even if you don't understand a word. You might even like to feign a discussion with your dining partner on its merits. Just don't order el pie if you're in Spain, or you could end up with a foot.
